Push and Scheduled Triggers: Two Valid YAML Pipeline Trigger Types
Which TWO are valid types of triggers for a YAML pipeline in Azure Pipelines? (Choose two.)
Quick Answer
Push and scheduled triggers are both native, first-class trigger types in YAML pipelines — push (via the trigger: keyword) starts a run on a branch or tag push, and schedules (via cron syntax) kick off runs on a recurring cadence. Release triggers and cross-pipeline triggers exist too, but they belong to classic releases or pipeline-to-pipeline chaining, not the two core YAML trigger types being asked about here.
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates might think scheduled triggers cannot be configured in YAML (they can, using the `schedules:` keyword), or they might include PR triggers (which are valid but not one of the two expected correct answers in this question).
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Push trigger
A is correct because a push trigger in a YAML pipeline automatically starts a pipeline run when a push is made to a specified branch or tag. B is correct because scheduled triggers are also valid in YAML pipelines, allowing you to run a pipeline on a schedule defined using cron syntax. D (PR trigger) is also a valid YAML trigger, but the question asks for exactly two valid types; the intended correct pair is push and scheduled triggers. Options C and E are not standard YAML trigger types in Azure Pipelines; release triggers are used in classic releases, and pipeline triggers are for triggering a pipeline from another pipeline, which is not a direct trigger type defined in the YAML file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Push trigger
Why this is correct
Correct. Push triggers are defined using the `trigger:` keyword and are the most common CI trigger.
- ✓
Scheduled trigger
Why this is correct
Correct. Scheduled triggers are defined using the `schedules:` keyword and allow pipelines to run at specific times.
- ✗
Release trigger
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Release triggers are not used in YAML pipelines; they belong to classic release definitions.
- ✗
PR trigger
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect in the context of this question. PR triggers are valid YAML triggers, but the question expects push and scheduled as the two correct answers.
- ✗
Pipeline trigger
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Pipeline triggers refer to triggering a pipeline from another pipeline, but they are not a basic trigger type in the YAML file itself.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to DevOps and Azure DevOps
Key term
Azure Pipelines
Azure Pipelines is a cloud-based CI/CD service from Microsoft that automatically builds, tests, and deploys code to any platform or cloud.
Key term
Pipeline
A pipeline is an automated series of steps that takes code from development to production, ensuring quality and speed.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every AZ-400 question from scratch — 823 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on AZ-400
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO triggers can be used to start a pipeline automatically in Azure Pipelines? (Choose two.)
easy- ✓ A.Pipeline completion trigger
- ✓ B.Continuous integration (CI) trigger on a branch push
- C.Manual trigger via the DevOps portal
- ✓ D.Schedule trigger
- ✓ E.Pull request (PR) trigger
Why A: Azure Pipelines supports multiple automatic trigger types: CI triggers (on branch push), PR triggers, scheduled triggers (on a cron schedule), and pipeline completion triggers (when another pipeline completes). Manual triggers via the portal are not automatic. Therefore, the correct answer cannot be exactly two; options A, B, D, and E all describe automatic triggers. The explanation also fails to address why PR triggers are correct and schedule triggers are not.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-400 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-400 exam.