- A
Use Git hooks to detect changes and run only the relevant build scripts locally.
Why wrong: Git hooks are client-side and not suitable for CI/CD.
- B
Create separate Azure Pipelines for each project, each configured to trigger on changes to that project's folder.
Why wrong: This can work but is harder to maintain than a single pipeline with path filters.
- C
Use a single YAML pipeline that includes all projects, and use the 'condition' keyword to skip steps based on changed files.
Why wrong: This still triggers the pipeline for every push, causing unnecessary runs.
- D
Use a single YAML pipeline with path-based triggers and path filters in the 'trigger' section for each project's folder.
Path filters ensure the pipeline only triggers when files in specific paths are changed.
AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement a source control strategy
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement a source control strategy. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your team uses a monorepo in Azure Repos containing multiple projects. You want to set up CI/CD so that only the projects affected by a commit are built and deployed. Which approach should you use?
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
Use a single YAML pipeline with path-based triggers and path filters in the 'trigger' section for each project's folder.
Option D is correct because Azure Pipelines supports path-based triggers in the `trigger` section of a YAML pipeline, allowing you to specify include/exclude patterns for folders. When a commit changes files only under a specific project's folder, only that project's pipeline is triggered, ensuring efficient CI/CD by building and deploying only affected projects.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Git hooks to detect changes and run only the relevant build scripts locally.
Why it's wrong here
Git hooks are client-side and not suitable for CI/CD.
- ✗
Create separate Azure Pipelines for each project, each configured to trigger on changes to that project's folder.
Why it's wrong here
This can work but is harder to maintain than a single pipeline with path filters.
- ✗
Use a single YAML pipeline that includes all projects, and use the 'condition' keyword to skip steps based on changed files.
Why it's wrong here
This still triggers the pipeline for every push, causing unnecessary runs.
- ✓
Use a single YAML pipeline with path-based triggers and path filters in the 'trigger' section for each project's folder.
Why this is correct
Path filters ensure the pipeline only triggers when files in specific paths are changed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse path-based triggers (which control when a pipeline runs) with conditions (which control whether steps run after the pipeline has already started), leading them to choose option C incorrectly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Path-based triggers in Azure Pipelines use the `trigger` section with `paths` to monitor specific folders; when a commit includes changes to files under those paths, the pipeline is automatically triggered. Under the hood, Azure Repos sends a webhook to Azure Pipelines with the commit details, and the pipeline service evaluates the path filters before queuing a new run, avoiding unnecessary builds. In a monorepo with multiple projects, this pattern is essential to reduce build times and resource usage by only building what changed.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement a source control strategy — This question tests Design and implement a source control strategy — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a single YAML pipeline with path-based triggers and path filters in the 'trigger' section for each project's folder. — Option D is correct because Azure Pipelines supports path-based triggers in the `trigger` section of a YAML pipeline, allowing you to specify include/exclude patterns for folders. When a commit changes files only under a specific project's folder, only that project's pipeline is triggered, ensuring efficient CI/CD by building and deploying only affected projects.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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