# AZ104 Lab Tips:

## Why we need storage account when we run azure PowerShell/Bash for the first time?

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1741201701379/b8d32770-454d-4cd2-8340-4b429850d275.png align="center")

When you launch **Azure Cloud Shell**, it needs a place to:

1. **Persist your files**
    

* Any scripts, profile customizations, or downloaded files are stored in your **Cloud Shell home directory**.
    
* This directory is stored in **Azure Files**, which requires a **Storage Account**.
    

2. **Maintain your environment across sessions**
    

* Without storage, everything would reset every time you open Cloud Shell.
    
* The storage account ensures your files and shell environment persist.
    

3. **Enable features like:**
    

* Running long scripts
    
* Saving logs
    
* Mounting file shares
    
* Using tools like git, vim, etc.
    

**🧠 TL;DR: (Too Long; Didn’t Read)**

> The storage account is used to **store your Cloud Shell files and environment**, so your work isn’t lost between sessions.

---