Unlock the full potential of AWS with the AWS CLI—your command-line gateway to seamless cloud management, automation, and control. Simple, fast, and powerful.
What Is AWS CLI and Why It Matters
The AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) is a unified tool that allows developers, system administrators, and DevOps engineers to interact with Amazon Web Services through commands in a terminal or script. Instead of navigating the AWS Management Console via a browser, users can manage services, configure resources, and automate tasks directly from their command line.
Core Definition and Purpose
The AWS CLI acts as a bridge between your local environment and the vast ecosystem of AWS services. It supports nearly all AWS services—from EC2 and S3 to Lambda and CloudFormation—enabling you to perform operations like launching instances, uploading files, or creating IAM roles using simple text-based commands.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Open-source and actively maintained by AWS
- Supports both interactive use and scripting
According to AWS’s official documentation, the CLI is designed to simplify how users control their cloud infrastructure at scale.
How AWS CLI Compares to Other Tools
While the AWS Management Console provides a graphical interface, and AWS SDKs allow integration within applications, the AWS CLI fills the niche for quick, scriptable, and repeatable operations. Unlike the console, which can be slow for bulk actions, the CLI enables automation through shell scripts or CI/CD pipelines.
- Console: Best for visual exploration and learning
- SDKs: Ideal for embedding AWS functionality in apps
- AWS CLI: Perfect for automation, DevOps, and infrastructure-as-code workflows
“The AWS CLI gives you programmatic access to AWS services directly from your terminal, making it indispensable for cloud professionals.” — AWS Official Documentation
Installing and Configuring AWS CLI
Before leveraging the power of the AWS CLI, you must install and configure it properly. This section walks you through installation on various operating systems and essential configuration steps.
Installation on Different Operating Systems
The AWS CLI comes in two versions: v1 and v2. AWS recommends using version 2, which includes newer features, better error messages, and built-in support for SSO (Single Sign-On).
For macOS, you can install AWS CLI v2 using the bundled installer:
- Download the pkg installer from AWS’s download page
- Run:
sudo installer -pkg ./AWSCLIV2.pkg -target / - Verify with:
aws --version
On Linux, use the command-line installer:
- Download the zip file:
curl "https://awscli.amazonaws.com/awscli-exe-linux-x86_64.zip" -o "awscliv2.zip" - Unzip and run the install script:
unzip awscliv2.zip && sudo ./aws/install - Confirm installation:
aws --version
For Windows, download the MSI installer:
- Get it from AWS CLI MSI Link
- Double-click to install
- Use Command Prompt or PowerShell to verify:
aws --version
Configuring AWS CLI with Credentials
After installation, run aws configure to set up your credentials. You’ll need:
- AWS Access Key ID
- AWS Secret Access Key
- Default region name (e.g., us-east-1)
- Default output format (json, text, or table)
These credentials are stored in ~/.aws/credentials (Linux/macOS) or %USERPROFILE%.awscredentials (Windows). Never hardcode these in scripts—use IAM roles or environment variables when possible.
You can also configure named profiles for multiple accounts:
- Run:
aws configure --profile dev - Switch profiles using:
--profile devflag orAWS_PROFILE=devenv var
Pro Tip: Use AWS Single Sign-On (SSO) with AWS CLI v2 for secure, role-based access without long-term credentials.
Essential AWS CLI Commands for Daily Use
Once configured, the real power of the AWS CLI unfolds through its commands. This section covers the most frequently used commands across core services.
Managing EC2 Instances
Amazon EC2 is one of the most widely used AWS services. The AWS CLI lets you launch, stop, and monitor instances with precision.
- Launch an instance:
aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-0abcdef1234567890 --instance-type t3.micro --key-name MyKeyPair - List running instances:
aws ec2 describe-instances --filters "Name=instance-state-name,Values=running" - Stop an instance:
aws ec2 stop-instances --instance-ids i-1234567890abcdef0
You can also tag instances during launch or modify them later using create-tags and delete-tags commands.
Working with S3 Buckets
Amazon S3 is central to data storage in AWS. The AWS CLI provides robust tools for managing buckets and objects.
- Create a bucket:
aws s3 mb s3://my-unique-bucket-name - Upload a file:
aws s3 cp local-file.txt s3://my-unique-bucket-name/ - Sync a folder:
aws s3 sync ./local-folder s3://my-unique-bucket-name/backup - List bucket contents:
aws s3 ls s3://my-unique-bucket-name --recursive
The sync command is especially powerful—it only transfers changed files, making it ideal for backups and deployments.
Querying and Filtering Output
By default, AWS CLI returns verbose JSON output. Use the --query parameter with JMESPath expressions to extract specific data.
- List only instance IDs:
aws ec2 describe-instances --query 'Reservations[*].Instances[*].InstanceId' --output table - Filter public instances:
aws ec2 describe-instances --query 'Reservations[*].Instances[?PublicIpAddress!=null].{ID:InstanceId,IP:PublicIpAddress}' - Count running instances:
aws ec2 describe-instances --query 'length(Reservations[].Instances[?State.Name==`running`])'
Combine --query with --output (json, text, table) for cleaner results.
Advanced AWS CLI Features and Techniques
For power users, the AWS CLI offers advanced capabilities that enhance productivity, security, and automation.
Using IAM Roles and Temporary Credentials
Instead of using long-term access keys, leverage IAM roles for temporary, secure credentials. When running on EC2, assign an IAM role to the instance—the AWS CLI automatically retrieves temporary tokens via the instance metadata service.
- No need to configure credentials manually
- Credentials rotate automatically every 6 hours
- Reduces risk of key exposure
You can also assume roles across accounts using sts assume-role:
aws sts assume-role --role-arn arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/CrossAccountRole --role-session-name MySession
Then use the returned credentials in your CLI environment.
Scripting and Automation with AWS CLI
The true strength of the AWS CLI shines in automation. Combine it with shell scripts, cron jobs, or CI/CD pipelines to manage infrastructure programmatically.
- Create a script to backup logs to S3 daily
- Automate AMI cleanup using
describe-imagesandderegister-image - Deploy infrastructure using
aws cloudformation deploy
Example: Auto-terminate stopped instances after 7 days
#!/bin/bash
aws ec2 describe-instances --filters "Name=instance-state-name,Values=stopped" --query "Reservations[*].Instances[*].[InstanceId,LaunchTime]" --output json |
jq -r '.[][] | select(.1 | fromdateiso8601 < now - 604800) | .0' |
while read instance_id; do
aws ec2 terminate-instances --instance-ids "$instance_id"
done
This script uses jq to parse JSON and filter instances older than 7 days.
Using AWS CLI with CloudFormation and Terraform
While Terraform manages infrastructure as code, the AWS CLI complements it by allowing direct interaction with AWS resources. Use the CLI to validate templates, deploy stacks, or troubleshoot issues.
- Validate a CloudFormation template:
aws cloudformation validate-template --template-body file://template.yaml - Deploy a stack:
aws cloudformation deploy --template-file template.yaml --stack-name mystack --capabilities CAPABILITY_IAM - Check stack events:
aws cloudformation describe-stack-events --stack-name mystack
The deploy command is idempotent—great for CI/CD pipelines.
Security Best Practices for AWS CLI
With great power comes great responsibility. Misconfigured AWS CLI usage can lead to security breaches, data leaks, or unintended costs.
Managing Access Keys Securely
Access keys should be treated like passwords. Follow these best practices:
- Never commit access keys to version control (use .gitignore)
- Rotate keys every 90 days
- Use IAM policies to grant least-privilege permissions
- Enable MFA for root and privileged users
Use aws iam create-access-key and delete-access-key to manage keys programmatically.
Using AWS SSO with CLI v2
AWS CLI v2 supports AWS Single Sign-On (SSO), eliminating the need for access keys. Instead, users log in via a browser and get temporary credentials.
- Configure SSO:
aws configure sso - Log in:
aws sso login - Access resources:
aws s3 ls --profile my-sso-profile
This method is ideal for enterprise environments with federated identity providers.
“AWS SSO integration with CLI v2 enhances security by removing long-term credentials from developer workflows.” — AWS Security Blog
Monitoring and Auditing CLI Activity
All AWS CLI actions are logged in AWS CloudTrail. Enable CloudTrail to track who did what, when, and from where.
- View CLI API calls in the CloudTrail console
- Set up alerts for suspicious activity (e.g.,
DeleteBucket) - Use AWS Config to audit resource changes
Regularly review CloudTrail logs to detect unauthorized access or misconfigurations.
Common AWS CLI Errors and How to Fix Them
Even experienced users encounter errors. Understanding common issues helps you troubleshoot faster.
Authentication and Permission Errors
Errors like InvalidClientTokenId or AccessDenied usually indicate credential or permission problems.
- Verify credentials with:
aws sts get-caller-identity - Check IAM policy permissions
- Ensure the correct profile is being used:
--profile dev - Confirm the region is supported for the service
If using temporary credentials, ensure they haven’t expired.
Region and Endpoint Issues
Some services are not available in all regions. Always specify the correct region.
- Set default region in config or use
--region us-west-2 - Check service availability: AWS Region Table
- Use
aws ec2 describe-regionsto list available regions
Example: S3 is global, but buckets are region-specific.
JSON and Query Syntax Errors
JMESPath queries can be tricky. Common mistakes include:
- Missing quotes around strings
- Incorrect nesting syntax
- Using invalid field names
Test queries using online tools like JMESPath Tutorial or the --output json flag first.
Tip: Use
aws helpandaws <service> helpto get command syntax and examples.
Integrating AWS CLI with DevOps Tools
The AWS CLI is a cornerstone of modern DevOps practices. It integrates seamlessly with CI/CD tools, configuration management systems, and monitoring platforms.
Using AWS CLI in CI/CD Pipelines
In Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI, the AWS CLI enables deployment, testing, and cleanup.
- Set AWS credentials as environment variables
- Deploy Lambda functions:
aws lambda update-function-code --function-name myfunc --zip-file fileb://function.zip - Update ECS services:
aws ecs update-service --cluster mycluster --service mysvc --force-new-deployment
Example GitHub Actions step:
- name: Deploy to S3
run: aws s3 sync build/ s3://my-website-bucket
env:
AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID }}
AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY: ${{ secrets.AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY }}
AWS_DEFAULT_REGION: us-east-1
Combining CLI with Ansible and Terraform
While Ansible and Terraform manage infrastructure declaratively, the AWS CLI can handle imperative tasks or fill gaps.
- Use CLI to export data for Ansible inventory
- Run pre-deployment checks with
aws ec2 describe-security-groups - Trigger Lambda functions during Terraform apply using
local-execprovisioners
This hybrid approach offers maximum flexibility.
Automating Backups and Monitoring
Schedule regular backups and health checks using cron and the AWS CLI.
- Backup RDS snapshots:
aws rds create-db-snapshot --db-instance-identifier mydb --db-snapshot-identifier mydb-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d) - Monitor EC2 status:
aws ec2 describe-instance-status --instance-ids i-1234567890 - Send alerts via SNS:
aws sns publish --topic-arn arn:aws:sns:... --message "Backup completed"
Combine with logging to CloudWatch Logs for centralized monitoring.
Future of AWS CLI and Emerging Trends
The AWS CLI continues to evolve alongside AWS services and cloud-native practices.
Support for New Services and Features
AWS regularly updates the CLI to support new services like AWS Lambda, EKS, and Bedrock. CLI v2 includes built-in support for features like:
- SSO and federated login
- Container credential providers
- Improved error messages and autocomplete
Stay updated via the AWS CLI GitHub repository.
Integration with AWS SDKs and CDK
The AWS CLI is built on the same APIs as the AWS SDKs. As AWS develops the Cloud Development Kit (CDK), the CLI remains a vital tool for debugging and ad-hoc operations.
- CDK synthesizes CloudFormation templates—validate them with
aws cloudformation validate-template - Use CLI to inspect resources created by CDK
- Run CDK pipelines with CLI-driven approval steps
The CLI complements higher-level tools by providing direct access.
AI and Automation Enhancements
Future versions may include AI-powered suggestions, natural language queries, or enhanced scripting capabilities. AWS is investing in developer experience, and the CLI will likely incorporate:
- Smart autocomplete based on usage patterns
- Automated remediation suggestions
- Integration with AWS Copilot for container apps
Stay tuned to AWS re:Invent announcements for new CLI features.
What is the AWS CLI used for?
The AWS CLI is used to manage AWS services from the command line, enabling automation, scripting, and efficient cloud resource management without using the web console.
How do I install AWS CLI v2?
Download the appropriate installer for your OS from the AWS website—pkg for macOS, MSI for Windows, or zip for Linux—and run the installation script as per official instructions.
Can I use AWS CLI with multiple accounts?
Yes, use named profiles with aws configure --profile profile-name to manage multiple AWS accounts and switch between them using the --profile flag.
How do I fix ‘aws not found’ error?
Ensure the AWS CLI is installed and added to your system’s PATH. On Linux/macOS, check if /usr/local/bin is in PATH; on Windows, verify installation via Command Prompt.
Is AWS CLI secure?
Yes, when used correctly. Avoid hardcoding credentials, use IAM roles and SSO, rotate keys, and monitor activity via CloudTrail for maximum security.
Mastering the AWS CLI unlocks unparalleled control over your cloud environment. From basic commands to advanced automation, it’s an essential tool for developers, DevOps engineers, and cloud architects. With proper configuration, security practices, and integration into workflows, the AWS CLI becomes a powerful ally in building scalable, efficient, and secure cloud solutions.
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