how to have multiple nodepools to the Azurepipeline yaml - azure-devops

Question

In AzureDevops yaml pipeline, can we define multiple node pools to the same stage. For example we have vm [vmpool] based and docker [dockerpool] based build agents and they are belongs to separate pools. But Some our pipeline stages can be run in any of these pools and where as some pipelines stages need to be run specific pools. So looking for a way to multiple nodepools for the stages where we can run in both the pools.
Secondly, ca we define the precedence to the stages like, first need to check the available vms in the vmpool, if no vms are free to schedule, then schedul the dockerpool.
By going through the docs, I couldn't find any helpful information on this.

Answer 1

You can use template for each pool if across multiple pools in azure pipelines. A single step can be defined in one file and used multiple places in another file.
Please refer to doc: step.template
For example:
# File: steps/build.yml
steps:
- script: npm install
- script: npm test
Across multiple pools:
# File: azure-pipeline.yml
stages:
- stage : stage1
jobs:
- job: run_in_pool_1
pool:
name: vmpool
steps:
- template: steps/build.yml # Template reference
- job: run_in_pool_2
pool:
name: dockerpool
steps:
- template: steps/build.yml # Template reference
If you want to define the precedence to the stages like : check the available vms in the vmpool, you can use demand command to make sure the capabilities of agents.Please refer to:Demands
for example:
pool:
name: MyPool
demands:
- myCustomCapability # exists check for myCustomCapability
- Agent.Version -equals 2.144.0 # equals check for Agent.Version 2.144.0