diff --git a/articles/virtual-machines/cost-optimization-best-practices.md b/articles/virtual-machines/cost-optimization-best-practices.md
index 35d953b729..7f4f310cad 100644
--- a/articles/virtual-machines/cost-optimization-best-practices.md
+++ b/articles/virtual-machines/cost-optimization-best-practices.md
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ The following are some best practices you can use to reduce the cost of your vir
 - Use [Azure Spot virtual machines](spot-vms.md) where you can
 - For Windows virtual machines, consider [Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server](windows/hybrid-use-benefit-licensing.md) to save cost on licensing
 - Use [cost alerts](/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/cost-mgt-alerts-monitor-usage-spending) to monitor usage and spending
+- Automate shutdown of underutilized VMs (e.g., CPU utilization below 10% for 1 hour) using alerts, [action groups and Automation runbooks](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/automation/automation-create-alert-triggered-runbook)
 - Minimize idle instances by configuring [autoscaling](../virtual-machine-scale-sets/virtual-machine-scale-sets-autoscale-overview.md)
 - Configure Azure Bastion for operational access