PAI Workspace Management#

Create, query, and list workspaces on Alibaba Cloud Platform for AI (PAI). Workspaces serve as isolated management units for AI model training, data processing, and related tasks.

Architecture: PAI AIWorkSpace (Workspace)

Workspace Modes:

• Simple Mode: Production environment only ( prod)
• Standard Mode: Development ( dev) + Production ( prod) environments

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Installation#

Pre-check: Aliyun CLI >= 3.3.3 required Run aliyun version to verify >= 3.3.3. If not installed or version too low, run curl -fsSL https://aliyuncli.alicdn.com/setup.sh | bash to install/update, or see references/cli-installation-guide.md for installation instructions. Then [MUST] run aliyun configure set --auto-plugin-install true to enable automatic plugin installation. Then [MUST] run aliyun plugin update to ensure that any existing plugins on your local machine are always up-to-date.

[MUST] CLI User-Agent — Every aliyun CLI command invocation must include: --user-agent AlibabaCloud-Agent-Skills/alibabacloud-pai-workspace-manage

bash

aliyun version
aliyun configure set --auto-plugin-install true
aliyun plugin update

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Credential Verification#

Pre-check: Alibaba Cloud Credentials Required

Security Rules:

• NEVER read, echo, or print AK/SK values (e.g., echo $ALIBABA_CLOUD_ACCESS_KEY_ID is FORBIDDEN)
• NEVER ask the user to input AK/SK directly in the conversation or command line
• NEVER use aliyun configure set with literal credential values
• ONLY use aliyun configure list to check credential status

Sensitive Data Masking:

• The following fields in API responses contain personally identifiable information and MUST be masked before displaying to the user:

  • Owner.UserId / Creator — Show only last 4 digits, e.g., ****1234
  • Owner.UserKp — Never display, omit entirely
  • Owner.UserName / Owner.DisplayName — Show only first character + ***, e.g., z***
  • Accounts in AdminNames — Mask as u***@example.com format

• [MUST] Raw sensitive data MUST NOT appear in stdout, execution logs, on disk, or in the conversation: The execution framework logs ALL command stdout to execution logs/transcripts (e.g., ran-scripts/executed-actions.log). Therefore, EVERY execution of get-workspace or list-workspaces (including basic queries without --verbose) must include | jq -r pipe filtering — because Creator is always returned and is sensitive. There must be NO execution step where the raw API JSON appears in command output, even as an intermediate step. The | jq -r pipe must be part of a single pipeline command:

  Basic query (without --verbose): bash

  aliyun aiworkspace get-workspace --workspace-id <ID> --region <RegionId> \
    --user-agent AlibabaCloud-Agent-Skills/alibabacloud-pai-workspace-manage \
    | jq -r '"Workspace: \(.WorkspaceName) (ID: \(.WorkspaceId))
  Status: \(.Status)
  Environment: \(.EnvTypes | join(", "))
  Created: \(.GmtCreateTime)
  Creator ID: \(.Creator // "" | if length > 0 then "****" + .[-4:] else "N/A" end)"'
  
  

  Verbose query (with --verbose true): bash

  aliyun aiworkspace get-workspace --workspace-id <ID> --verbose true --region <RegionId> \
    --user-agent AlibabaCloud-Agent-Skills/alibabacloud-pai-workspace-manage \
    | jq -r '"Workspace: \(.WorkspaceName) (ID: \(.WorkspaceId))
  Status: \(.Status)
  Owner: \(.Owner.UserName // "" | if length > 0 then .[0:1] + "***" else "N/A" end) (ID: \(.Owner.UserId // "" | if length > 0 then "****" + .[-4:] else "N/A" end))
  Creator ID: \(.Creator // "" | if length > 0 then "****" + .[-4:] else "N/A" end)
  Administrators: \(.AdminNames // [] | map(.[0:1] + "***") | join(", "))"'
  
  

  The raw API response flows through the pipe internally and never reaches shell stdout. Only jq's output (with masked values and natural language keys) is captured by the execution framework. The following are all prohibited:

  • Running the CLI command without | jq pipe filtering — even for basic queries (the Creator field is always returned and sensitive)
  • Two-step processing — running the CLI command first to get raw output, then separately masking it. The raw JSON would appear in the execution transcript before masking is applied. The | jq -r MUST be part of the same single pipeline command
  • Capturing raw output to shell variables — e.g., response=$(aliyun ...) then echo "$response" | jq .... The variable assignment captures raw data into the execution log
  • Output redirection ( > file.json, >> file.log, | tee file)
  • Executing commands via shell scripts saved to disk (e.g., ran-scripts/*.sh)
  • Embedding raw API response data in any script or code file — e.g., writing a Python/shell script that contains raw JSON values as string literals, variables, or data structures (such as ran_scripts/process_workspace_data.py). All data processing must be done entirely within the | jq -r pipe; do NOT create intermediate processing scripts that contain raw data
  • Displaying raw JSON snippets in the conversation

• [MUST] Original API field names MUST NOT be used as output keys: Even when values are masked, using original API field names (such as UserId, UserName, UserKp, AdminNames) as JSON keys or structured output key names in any output (conversation or files) is prohibited. Use natural language key names instead:

  • UserId / Creator → Owner ID or Creator ID
  • UserName → Username
  • DisplayName → Display Name
  • AdminNames → Administrators

Correct approach: EVERY execution of get-workspace or list-workspaces must be a single pipeline command with | jq -r appended. The Agent must NEVER run the CLI command first and then process the output in a separate step — the raw JSON would appear in the execution transcript before masking is applied. All data extraction, masking, and formatting must happen inside the jq filter. If saving to a file, redirect the jq output (not the CLI output) using > file.md at the end of the pipeline. This rule applies to ALL queries — basic, verbose, and list.

bash

aliyun configure list

Check the output for a valid profile (AK, STS, or OAuth identity).

If no valid profile exists, STOP here.

1. Obtain credentials from Alibaba Cloud Console
2. Configure credentials outside of this session (via aliyun configure in terminal or environment variables in shell profile)
3. Return and re-run after aliyun configure list shows a valid profile

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RAM Permissions#

See references/ram-policies.md for required permissions (including Policy JSON and instructions).

[MUST] Permission Failure Handling: When any command or API call fails due to permission errors at any point during execution, follow this process:

1. Read references/ram-policies.md to get the full list of permissions required by this SKILL
2. Use ram-permission-diagnose skill to guide the user through requesting the necessary permissions
3. Pause and wait until the user confirms that the required permissions have been granted

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Parameter Confirmation#

IMPORTANT: Parameter Confirmation — Before executing any command or API call, ALL user-customizable parameters (e.g., RegionId, WorkspaceName, Description, EnvTypes, etc.) MUST be confirmed with the user. Do NOT assume or use default values without explicit user approval.

ParameterRequired/OptionalDescriptionExample--regionRequiredRegion ID (global parameter), must be specified by the user, do not use default valuescn-hangzhou``--workspace-nameRequiredWorkspace name: 3-23 characters, starts with a letter, may contain letters/digits/underscores, unique within the regionmyworkspace``--descriptionRequiredWorkspace description, max 80 charactersMy AI workspace``--env-typesRequiredEnvironment types (list format): prod (simple mode) or dev prod (standard mode)prod``--display-nameOptionalDisplay name, defaults to WorkspaceNameMy Workspace``--resource-group-idOptionalResource group ID, uses default resource group if not specifiedrg-xxxxxxxx

Note: Once --resource-group-id is set, it cannot be modified via CLI/code. To change it, use the console or recreate the workspace.

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Timeout Configuration#

API calls support timeout configuration (in seconds):

Option 1: Command-line parameters (applies to the current command only):

• --connect-timeout <seconds> — Connection timeout
• --read-timeout <seconds> — I/O read timeout

Option 2: Persistent configuration (applies globally, written to current profile):

bash

aliyun configure set --connect-timeout 10 --read-timeout 30

Command-line parameters take precedence over persistent configuration. If not set, the CLI uses built-in defaults. When encountering timeout or context deadline exceeded errors, increase --read-timeout (e.g., 30-60 seconds).

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Core Workflow#

See references/related-commands.md for all CLI command templates and parameter details.

Prerequisite: Region Selection and PAI Activation Check#

[MUST] Do not use a default region: The Agent must not assume or use a default region. It must explicitly ask the user which region to use.

[MUST] Check PAI activation on first use of a region: After the user specifies a region (or the first time a region is used in a session), the Agent must call list-products to check whether PAI is activated in that region before executing any subsequent workspace operations.

Step 1: Confirm Region

Ask the user which region to use. If the user has not specified one, provide the list of common regions for selection (see the Common Region IDs table in references/related-commands.md). Do not automatically select a default region.

Step 2: Check PAI Activation Status

Use aliyun aiworkspace list-products to check whether PAI and its dependent products are activated in the user-specified region:

bash

aliyun aiworkspace list-products \
  --region <UserSpecifiedRegionId> \
  --product-codes PAI_share \
  --verbose true \
  --user-agent AlibabaCloud-Agent-Skills/alibabacloud-pai-workspace-manage

Step 3: Handle Check Results

Inspect the returned Products array for the matching product entry:

Decision logic:

1. IsPurchased == true → PAI is activated, proceed with subsequent workflows

2. IsPurchased == false → PAI is not activated, guide the user to activate:

   • Check the HasPermissionToPurchase field:

     • true → User has permission. Show the PurchaseUrl link and prompt the user to complete activation in the console before continuing
     • false → User lacks permission (requires the primary account or a RAM user with pai:CreateOrder permission). Inform the user to contact the primary account administrator

   • Do not proceed with creating/querying workspaces when PAI is not activated

Workflow 1: Create Workspace (CreateWorkspace)#

Use aliyun aiworkspace create-workspace to create a workspace. Required parameters: --region, --workspace-name, --description, --env-types. Simple mode uses --env-types prod, standard mode uses --env-types dev prod. Optionally add --display-name and --resource-group-id.

Step 1: Input Parameter Validation

[MUST] Parameter format validation: Before calling the API, the Agent must validate user-provided parameters as follows. If validation fails, prompt the user to correct the input. Do not submit non-compliant parameters:

ParameterValidation RulesExample--workspace-name3-23 characters, must start with a letter, may only contain letters, digits, and underscores ( _). Hyphens ( -), spaces, Chinese characters, and other special characters are not allowedmy_workspace_01``--descriptionMax 80 characters, wrap with quotes if containing special characters"My AI workspace"``--env-typesMust be prod or dev prod, list formatprod``--display-nameOptional, no strict format restrictionsMy Workspace

Step 2: Name Existence Check (check-then-act idempotency pattern)

[MUST] Idempotency guarantee: The CreateWorkspace API does not support ClientToken, so idempotency is ensured via a check-then-act pattern. Before creating, you must call list-workspaces --option CheckWorkspaceExists --workspace-name <name> to check if the name already exists.

Decision logic:

• TotalCount == 0 → Name is available, proceed to Step 3 to create

• TotalCount >= 1 → Name already exists, perform the following:

  1. Extract the existing WorkspaceId from the returned Workspaces[0]
  2. Call get-workspace --workspace-id <id> to get full details
  3. Compare the existing workspace's key parameters ( EnvTypes, Description, etc.) with the current request parameters
  4. Match → Treat as already created, return the existing WorkspaceId directly, do not recreate
  5. Mismatch → Inform the user that the name is already taken with a different configuration, ask the user to choose a different name

Step 3: Execute Creation

After parameter validation passes and the name does not exist, execute the create-workspace command. On success, a WorkspaceId is returned. If the creation returns a WorkspaceNameAlreadyExists error (concurrent scenario), handle it using the TotalCount >= 1 logic from Step 2.

Workflow 2: Get Workspace Details (GetWorkspace)#

[MUST] Single workspace queries must use get-workspace: When querying the details of one specific workspace, you must use aliyun aiworkspace get-workspace --workspace-id <id>. Do not use list-workspaces --workspace-ids as a substitute. get-workspace calls the GetWorkspace API and returns the complete details of a single workspace.

Only accepts --workspace-id (required) and --verbose (optional). The region is specified via the global --region parameter. A Status of ENABLED indicates the workspace is ready.

[MUST] --verbose true trigger rules: --verbose true returns Owner (UserKp, UserId, UserName, DisplayName) and AdminNames (admin account list). The Agent must follow these rules:

1. Trigger conditions — When the user's request involves any of the following keywords, --verbose true must be appended when constructing the command (determined before calling the API, not dependent on API success):

   • Chinese keywords: 所有者, 拥有者, 创建者, 管理员, 负责人, 归属
   • English keywords: owner, admin, administrator, verbose
   • Field names: Owner, AdminNames

2. When not triggered — When the user only queries basic info (status, environment types, etc.), do not append --verbose

3. Masking rules — UserId/Creator: last 4 digits only ( ****1234); UserKp: omit entirely; UserName/DisplayName: first character only ( z***); AdminNames entries: u***@example.com

4. No raw sensitive data in stdout, execution logs, on disk, or in output — EVERY execution of get-workspace (with or without --verbose) or list-workspaces must be a single pipeline command with | jq -r appended. The Agent must NEVER run the CLI command first and then mask the output separately — the raw JSON would appear in the execution transcript. No two-step processing, no variable capture ( response=$(aliyun ...)), no intermediate scripts. All masking must happen inside the jq filter of the same pipeline. See the Sensitive Data Masking section and references/related-commands.md for templates

[MUST] 404 error handling: When get-workspace returns StatusCode: 404, Code: 100400027, Message: Workspace not exists, the workspace ID does not exist. The Agent must directly report to the user that the workspace does not exist, including the original workspace-id specified by the user. Do not fall back to list-workspaces or other APIs to try to "find" the workspace after receiving a 404. Do not silently ignore the error. If the user subsequently provides a new workspace-id, the Agent must retry get-workspace with the same parameters as the initial call (including --verbose true, etc.).

Workflow 3: List Workspaces (ListWorkspaces)#

Use aliyun aiworkspace list-workspaces to list workspaces. Supports the following filter and sort parameters:

• --workspace-name <name> — Fuzzy match by name
• --workspace-ids <id1,id2,...> — Batch query by ID list, comma-separated (e.g., --workspace-ids "123,456,789")
• --status <STATUS> — Filter by status, enum values (all uppercase): ENABLED | INITIALIZING | FAILURE | DISABLED | FROZEN | UPDATING
• --sort-by <Field> — Sort field (case-sensitive): GmtCreateTime (default) | GmtModifiedTime
• --order <ORDER> — Sort direction (all uppercase): ASC (default) | DESC
• --page-number <n> / --page-size <n> — Pagination parameters
• --option GetResourceLimits — Get resource limit information instead of workspace list
• --option CheckWorkspaceExists — Check if a workspace with the specified name already exists (pre-creation check, use with --workspace-name)

[MUST] API selection rules: Use get-workspace --workspace-id (GetWorkspace API) for querying a single ID; use list-workspaces --workspace-ids "id1,id2,..." for querying multiple IDs (2 or more) in a single batch query (ListWorkspaces API). Do not call get-workspace individually for each ID.

[MUST] Batch query results are final: The Workspaces array returned by list-workspaces --workspace-ids already contains complete information for each workspace (Status, EnvTypes, GmtCreateTime, etc.). Do not call get-workspace for any ID in the batch results to get additional details. If some IDs are not in the response, those IDs do not exist — report this to the user directly.

[MUST] Enum values are case-sensitive: --sort-by must be GmtCreateTime or GmtModifiedTime (camelCase), --order must be ASC or DESC (all uppercase), --status must be all uppercase like ENABLED. Using incorrect casing (e.g., desc, gmtCreateTime, enabled) will cause API errors or unexpected results.

[MUST] ListWorkspaces sensitive field masking: Each workspace object returned by list-workspaces always contains Creator (creator user ID) and AdminNames (admin account list) — no --verbose true needed. The Agent must mask these fields when displaying ( Creator: last 4 digits only; AdminNames: first character + ***). Do not output JSON containing the raw values, and do not save raw responses to files via redirection ( > file) or scripts.

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Success Verification#

Verification TargetMethodSuccess CriteriaWorkspaceId returnedParse create command responseWorkspaceId is not emptyWorkspace status is normalget-workspace commandStatus == "ENABLED"Visible in consoleLog in to PAI Console and verify manuallyNew workspace appears in the list

See references/verification-method.md for detailed verification methods

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Cleanup (Delete Workspace)#

Warning: Deleting a workspace is an irreversible operation that removes all resources within it. Proceed with caution.

Note: Workspace deletion cannot be performed directly via CLI (the aiworkspace plugin does not currently support delete-workspace). Use the following methods:

1. Console deletion: Log in to PAI Console -> Workspace List -> Select workspace -> Delete
2. API call: Use the DELETE /api/v1/workspaces/{WorkspaceId} endpoint (via SDK or direct HTTP call)

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Best Practices#

1. Naming conventions: Use project names or team identifier prefixes for WorkspaceName, e.g., nlp_prod, cv_dev (note: hyphens are not supported, use underscores)
2. Environment selection: Use standard mode ( dev + prod) for production projects to separate development and production resources
3. Description: Description should indicate the purpose, team, or project for easier management
4. Region selection: Choose the region closest to your data storage to minimize data transfer latency
5. Resource group management: Use different resource groups for multi-project scenarios to facilitate cost allocation and permission management
6. DisplayName: Use business-friendly names as the display name while using English identifiers for WorkspaceName

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Reference Documentation#

DocumentDescriptionreferences/ram-policies.mdRAM permission policies, Policy JSON, and instructionsreferences/related-commands.mdComplete CLI command templates, parameter tables, enum values, and return fieldsreferences/verification-method.mdVerification steps and scriptsreferences/acceptance-criteria.mdCLI command acceptance criteria (correct/incorrect patterns)references/cli-installation-guide.mdAliyun CLI installation and configurationListWorkspaces API DocListWorkspaces API referenceCreateWorkspace API DocCreateWorkspace API referenceGetWorkspace API DocGetWorkspace API referenceListProducts API DocListProducts API reference (product activation status check)