AWS CLI Setup Made Simple: A Comprehensive Installation Guide

6 min readDec 3, 2023

Welcome to the gateway of cloud empowerment! In the fast-paced realm of AWS, mastering the art of command-line interaction is your key to unlocking limitless possibilities. This step-by-step guide is designed to be your compass in the AWS CLI installation journey, ensuring a smooth and accessible path for both beginners and seasoned users alike.

In the next few minutes, we’ll demystify the installation process, making AWS CLI a friendlier companion on your cloud adventures. From prerequisites to configuration and verification, each step is crafted with simplicity in mind. So, whether you’re a coding novice or a seasoned developer, let’s embark on this journey to command the cloud together. Buckle up — the power to orchestrate AWS resources is just a few commands away!

Prerequisites

Before embarking on the AWS CLI installation journey, let’s ensure you have everything in place. Here are the prerequisites you should be aware of:

AWS Account:

To use the AWS CLI, you need an active AWS account. If you don’t have one, you can create it on the AWS Sign-Up page.

2. Appropriate Permissions:

Ensure that your AWS account has the necessary permissions for installing and configuring the AWS CLI. Permissions should include the ability to create IAM users or roles and configure access keys.

3. Access Key and Secret Access Key:

Generate an Access Key ID and Secret Access Key in the AWS Management Console. These credentials are crucial for configuring the AWS CLI and interacting with AWS services.

Now that we have our prerequisites checked off, let’s move on to choosing the most suitable installation method for your operating system. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Linux, the AWS CLI is ready to be at your command!

Choose Your Installation Method

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork with the prerequisites, let’s explore the installation methods available for the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI). Depending on your preference and operating system, you can select from the following options:

1. Installing AWS CLI using Pip (Python Package Installer):

This method is suitable for users comfortable with Python. It provides a platform-independent way to install the AWS CLI.

For Windows:

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell:

Press Windows Key + R, type cmd or powershell, and press Enter.

2. Install AWS CLI using Pip:

Run the following command to install the AWS CLI using Pip:

pip install awscli

For macOS and Linux:

Open Terminal:

On macOS, you can find Terminal in the Applications > Utilities folder.
On Linux, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T or search for Terminal in your system's applications.

2. Install AWS CLI using Pip:

Run the following command to install the AWS CLI using Pip:

sudo pip install awscli

2. Installing AWS CLI using Package Managers:

For Linux (apt):

1. Open Terminal:

Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T or search for Terminal in your system's applications.

2. Update Package List:

Run the following command to update the package list:

sudo apt update

3. Install AWS CLI:

Run the following command to install the AWS CLI:

sudo apt install awscli

For Linux (yum):

Open Terminal:

Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T or search for Terminal in your system's applications.

2. Install AWS CLI:

Run the following command to install the AWS CLI:

sudo yum install awscli

For macOS (brew):

1. Open Terminal:

You can find Terminal in the Applications > Utilities folder.

2. Install AWS CLI:

Run the following command to install the AWS CLI:

brew install awscli

3. Using the AWS CLI Installer:

Download the AWS CLI Installer:
Visit the AWS CLI Installer page on the AWS website.

For Windows:

1. Click on the “Download the AWS CLI installer for Windows” link.

Follow the on-screen instructions to download the installer executable (.exe) file.

2. Run the Installer:

Locate the downloaded installer file and double-click to run it.
Follow the installation wizard’s prompts, accepting the default settings unless you have specific preferences.

3. Complete Installation:

Once the installation is complete, you can close the installer.

For macOS:

1. Click on the “Download the AWS CLI installer for macOS” link.

Follow the on-screen instructions to download the installer package (.pkg) file.

2. Run the Installer:

Locate the downloaded installer file and double-click to run it.
Follow the installation prompts, accepting the default settings unless you have specific preferences.

3. Complete Installation:

Once the installation is complete, you can close the installer.

Configuration

Configuring AWS CLI is a crucial step that ensures a seamless connection between your machine and AWS services. Let’s delve into the importance of this configuration and walk through the process using the aws configure command.

1. Configuring AWS CLI:

The AWS CLI needs access keys and a default region to communicate with your AWS account. Access keys act as your credentials, and the default region determines the AWS region where your commands will be executed.
To configure, open your terminal or command prompt and run:

aws configure

Enter your AWS Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, default region, and output format as prompted.
Example:

AWS Access Key ID [None]: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY
AWS Secret Access Key [None]: YOUR_SECRET_KEY
Default region name [None]: YOUR_REGION
Default output format [None]: json

2. Advanced Configurations (Optional):

For users who want to tailor their AWS CLI experience further, advanced configurations come into play.
Custom Profiles:
If you work with multiple AWS accounts, you can configure named profiles for each account. Use the --profile option with the aws configure command.

aws configure --profile PROFILE_NAME

3. Additional Settings:

Explore additional configurations like custom output formats, controlling the verbosity of command output, and adjusting other settings as needed.

aws configure set AWS_REGION YOUR_REGION --profile PROFILE_NAME

For a comprehensive list of configuration options, refer to the official AWS CLI documentation.

With AWS CLI configured, you’re now ready to unleash its power. These steps ensure secure communication with AWS services and set the stage for effortless command execution. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, configuring AWS CLI is a fundamental step towards mastering the cloud.

Verifying Installation

Ensuring Success

After successfully configuring the AWS CLI, it’s time to ensure that the installation process went smoothly. Here are simple commands you can use to verify that the AWS CLI has been installed correctly:

Verify AWS CLI Version:

To check the installed version of the AWS CLI, run the following command.

aws --version

This command will display the AWS CLI version, along with information about the Python version and platform.
Example Output:

aws-cli/2.x.x Python/x.x.x ...

2. Basic Command Execution:

Execute a simple AWS CLI command to list the contents of an S3 bucket. This ensures that the AWS CLI can communicate with AWS services.

aws s3 ls

By running these basic commands, you can quickly verify that the AWS CLI is installed and functioning as expected. If you encounter any issues, double-check your configuration settings and revisit the installation steps. Now that you’ve successfully installed and verified the AWS CLI, you’re ready to command the cloud with confidence!

Conclusion

In concluding our journey through the intricacies of AWS CLI installation, we stand at the threshold of a cloud-powered realm ready to be commanded. The steps we’ve taken — from prerequisites to verification — have not merely installed a tool; they’ve bestowed upon you a wand to conjure and control AWS resources effortlessly.

As you reflect on this guide, remember that the user-friendly nature of AWS CLI installation is a testament to AWS’s commitment to accessibility. Whether you’re a beginner venturing into cloud management or an experienced architect streamlining workflows, the AWS CLI invites you to command with confidence.

Now armed with the capability to navigate, configure, and verify, the real adventure begins. The vast possibilities the AWS CLI unfolds for managing AWS resources are yours to explore. From crafting intricate scripts to executing simple commands, you’re now in the captain’s seat of your AWS journey.

As the clouds beckon, consider this guide not just a set of instructions but a key to cloud mastery. Embrace the power of AWS CLI, experiment with its myriad commands, and let your curiosity shape the solutions you build.

Command the cloud and may your AWS endeavors be nothing short of extraordinary! Let’s connect on LinkedIn. Happy coding, exploring, and commanding!