AWS Command Line Interface
AWS command-line tool
The `aws` command-line tool for calling the APIs of most AWS services from a terminal or script, authenticating with profiles, access keys, SSO, or roles.
- Cost$ Low
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?No
- Self-managed
- In examsCLF · DVA · SOA
Think of it asLike controlling the TV with a remote instead of walking over to press each button on the screen.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
You need quick operations, automation scripts, or repetitive work with AWS resources.
✗ Avoid it when
Long-term infrastructure management that must be precisely repeatable → CloudFormation / CDK; complex logic inside an application → SDK.
Common uses
- Upload/sync files to S3 with `aws s3 sync`
- Scripts to start and stop instances on a schedule
- Sign in with SSO and switch profiles across multiple accounts
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Free; you only pay for the resources and APIs the commands create or call.
