entra-app-registration

Overview

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service. App registrations allow applications to authenticate users and access Azure resources securely.

Key Concepts

Application Types

Core Workflow

Step 1: Register the Application

Create an app registration in the Azure portal or using Azure CLI.

Portal Method:

1. Navigate to Azure Portal → Microsoft Entra ID → App registrations
2. Click "New registration"
3. Provide name, supported account types, and redirect URI
4. Click "Register"

CLI Method: See references/cli-commands.md IaC Method: See references/BICEP-EXAMPLE.bicep

It's highly recommended to use the IaC to manage Entra app registration if you already use IaC in your project, need a scalable solution for managing lots of app registrations or need fine-grained audit history of the configuration changes.

Step 2: Configure Authentication

Set up authentication settings based on your application type.

• Web Apps: Add redirect URIs, enable ID tokens if needed
• SPAs: Add redirect URIs, enable implicit grant flow if necessary
• Mobile/Desktop: Use http://localhost or custom URI scheme
• Services: No redirect URI needed for client credentials flow

Step 3: Configure API Permissions

Grant your application permission to access Microsoft APIs or your own APIs.

Common Microsoft Graph Permissions:

• User.Read - Read user profile
• User.ReadWrite.All - Read and write all users
• Directory.Read.All - Read directory data
• Mail.Send - Send mail as a user

Details: See references/api-permissions.md

Step 4: Create Client Credentials (if needed)

For confidential client applications (web apps, services), create a client secret, certificate or federated identity credential.

Client Secret:

• Navigate to "Certificates & secrets"
• Create new client secret
• Copy the value immediately (only shown once)
• Store securely (Key Vault recommended)

Certificate: For production environments, use certificates instead of secrets for enhanced security. Upload certificate via "Certificates & secrets" section.

Federated Identity Credential: For dynamically authenticating the confidential client to Entra platform.

Step 5: Implement OAuth Flow

Integrate the OAuth flow into your application code.

See:

• references/oauth-flows.md - OAuth 2.0 flow details
• references/console-app-example.md - Console app implementation

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: First-Time App Registration

Walk user through their first app registration step-by-step.

Required Information:

• Application name
• Application type (web, SPA, mobile, service)
• Redirect URIs (if applicable)
• Required permissions

Script: See references/first-app-registration.md

Pattern 2: Console Application with User Authentication

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