Blob Storage

This guide shows you how to work with Azure Blob Storage locally using Azurite, Docker Compose, and Python. This lab demonstrates how to create containers and upload and download blobs.

Prerequisites

Docker installed and running.
Dev Containers extension installed (optional).
Azure Storage extension (optional, included in Dev Container).

How to execute

Setup Environment:
Open VS Code in the project folder and execute this command in the Command Palette:
Terminal window
> Dev Containers: Reopen in Container
1. Start Infrastructure: Launch the Azurite container.
  Terminal window
  docker compose up -d
2. Run the setup script to install tools and dependencies.
  Terminal window
  scripts/setup.sh
Use the Azurite VS Code extension instead of the container.
1. Disable the container: Set COMPOSE_PROFILES= (empty) in .env so the Azurite container is skipped.
2. Stop the Azurite container if it is running.
  Terminal window
  docker compose stop azurite
3. Start the emulator from the Command Palette:
  Terminal window
  > Azurite: Start
4. Run the setup script to install tools and dependencies.
  Terminal window
  scripts/setup.sh
Run the Example:
Terminal window
```
python main.py
```

How to debug

Python Script (main.py):
- Open: Open main.py in VS Code.
- Run: Use the Python: main.py configuration in the Run and Debug tab.

How to test

All tests: Run the automated script: scripts/run_tests.sh
Individually: Use the VS Code Testing tab to run or debug specific test cases.

Validate results

Connect the Azure Storage extension to your running Azurite to browse containers and blobs visually.

Open: Open the Azure view in VS Code (Azure icon in the sidebar).
Attach: Under Storage Accounts, click Attach Storage Account > Attach to a local emulator and accept the defaults (account devstoreaccount1).
Browse: Expand Local Emulator > Blob Containers to see test-container and hello.txt.

Clean Up

docker compose down -v

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Port 10000 in use	Another Azurite is bound to it. Stop the VS Code Azurite extension emulator (`> Azurite: Close`) or the other container before starting.
Connection Refused	Ensure Azurite is running: `docker ps`
Module Not Found	Reinstall dependencies: `scripts/setup.sh`
`azurite.skipApiVersionCheck is not a registered configuration`	REST API-version mismatch. The lab already starts Azurite with `--skipApiVersionCheck`; recreate it with `docker compose up -d azurite`, then reload the window (`> Developer: Reload Window`).
`Storage Account devstoreaccount1 is already attached`	It is already connected. Locate the existing Local Emulator node and Refresh it instead of re-attaching.