How to Run a Bash or PowerShell Script Step in Azure Pipelines

Bash@3 runs a shell script and PowerShell@2 runs PowerShell, each accepting either an inline script or a file path.

Use Bash@3 with targetType: inline (or filePath) for shell, and PowerShell@2 for PowerShell. The script: and pwsh: shorthands map to these tasks for quick steps.

Steps

• Pick Bash@3 for shell or PowerShell@2 for PowerShell.
• Set targetType: inline with script, or filePath for a file.
• Use failOnStderr to fail the step when the script writes to stderr.

Pipeline

steps:
  - task: Bash@3
    inputs:
      targetType: inline
      script: |
        set -euo pipefail
        ./build.sh
      failOnStderr: true
    displayName: Build (bash)
  - task: PowerShell@2
    inputs:
      targetType: inline
      script: |
        Write-Host "Packaging"
        ./package.ps1
    displayName: Package (pwsh)

Gotchas

• The script: shorthand runs Bash on Linux/macOS and Command Prompt on Windows; bash: forces Bash.
• Without set -e a failing command mid-script may not fail the step.
• PowerShell@2 uses Windows PowerShell by default; use pwsh: true for PowerShell Core.

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