# aws-cli

This rule guides AWS CLI use across environments, from profile selection to structured output. It fits projects with AWS scripts or CI/CD jobs.

- rule · `type=rule` · Cursor · ★ 3579
- Author: sanjeed5
- License: CC0-1.0 · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/aws-cli.mdc
- Updated: 2026-05-19
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/rules/aws-cli

## What it does

The rule steers the agent toward named AWS profiles for separate environments and recommends pinning the CLI version in CI/CD. It also calls for checking the caller identity with `aws sts get-caller-identity` before critical actions. That check matters most when a command targets `prod`.

For scripts, it favors JSON output with `jq` and suggests applying `--query` and `--filters` on the AWS side. Large listings can use `--page-size` and `--max-items`. The guidance also keeps credentials out of scripts, points to `~/.aws/config` and `~/.aws/credentials`, and describes fetching sensitive values from AWS Secrets Manager or Parameter Store at runtime.

## Requirements
- Works with: AWS

## Install

### Cursor (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/rules/aws-cli.mdc` — Frontmatter: description, globs, alwaysApply

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/rules/aws-cli.md` — The paths frontmatter field limits the files: move globs from the source into paths

### Codex

**AGENTS.md**
- Codex reads AGENTS.md: paste the rule text there

### GitHub Copilot

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/instructions/aws-cli.instructions.md` — The applyTo field sets which files it applies to: move globs from the source into applyTo

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/rules/aws-cli.md`

### Cline

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.clinerules/aws-cli.md`

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/aws-cli.mdc

## When to use it
- separate AWS commands by environment profile
- check access before changing cloud resources
- parse AWS CLI JSON output with `jq`
- filter EC2 instances before retrieving results
- fetch a secret when a script runs

## Example prompts
- Show me how to remove S3 objects safely with the `dev` profile.
- Rewrite this EC2 listing to return IDs for running instances as JSON.
- Add a `prod` identity check before copying a file to S3.

## Source text · aws-cli.mdc · CC0-1.0

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: f7ec5840d759a5b2.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE f7ec5840d759a5b2
````text
---
description: Definitive guidelines for secure, reproducible, and efficient use of the AWS CLI, emphasizing modern DevOps practices and automation.
globs: **/*
---
# aws-cli Best Practices

The AWS CLI is your primary interface for programmatic interaction with AWS. Adhering to these best practices ensures your CLI usage is secure, reproducible, and efficient, aligning with modern DevOps principles.

## 1. Code Organization and Structure

Organize your AWS CLI interactions into well-defined scripts or functions. Avoid one-off commands for anything beyond simple queries.

### 1.1. Use Named Profiles for Environment Segregation
Always define multiple named profiles for different environments (e.g., `dev`, `test`, `prod`) and projects. This prevents accidental operations in the wrong account.

❌ BAD: Relying on `default` profile or constantly switching credentials.
```bash
# Easy to accidentally target production
aws s3 rm s3://my-prod-bucket --recursive
```

✅ GOOD: Explicitly using named profiles.
```bash
# ~/.aws/config
# [profile dev]
# region = us-east-1
# output = json

# [profile prod]
# region = us-east-1
# output = json

# In your script or terminal
aws s3 ls --profile dev
aws s3 rm s3://my-dev-bucket --recursive --profile dev
```

### 1.2. Pin AWS CLI Version in CI/CD
Ensure consistent behavior by pinning the AWS CLI version in automated environments. Use `awscli-v2` for modern features and stability.

❌ BAD: Relying on the latest available version in CI/CD.
```yaml
# .github/workflows/deploy.yml
# ...
# - name: Install AWS CLI
#   run: pip install awscli # Installs latest, potentially breaking changes
```

✅ GOOD: Using a specific, tested version (e.g., via Docker).
```yaml
# .github/workflows/deploy.yml
# ...
- name: Deploy with AWS CLI v2
  uses: docker://amazon/aws-cli:2.15.30 # Pin to a specific, validated version
  with:
    args: s3 sync ./app s3://my-bucket-name --delete --profile prod
```

## 2. Common Patterns and Anti-patterns

Adopt patterns that promote automation, idempotency, and machine-readability.

### 2.1. Prefer JSON Output and `jq` for Parsing
Always output in `json` format and use `jq` for robust, idempotent parsing. Avoid parsing human-readable formats like `text` or `table`.

❌ BAD: Parsing `text` output is brittle and prone to breakage from CLI updates.
```bash
# Output format can change, breaking script
aws ec2 describe-instances --output text | grep "running" | awk '{print $NF}'
```

✅ GOOD: Using `json` and `jq` for reliable, structured parsing.
```bash
# Get running instance IDs
aws ec2 describe-instances --filters "Name=instance-state-name,Values=running" \
  --query 'Reservations[*].Instances[*].InstanceId' --output json | jq -r '.[] | .[]'
```

### 2.2. Embed Validation Steps
Include explicit validation steps in your scripts to catch misconfigurations or permission issues early, preventing costly failures.

❌ BAD: Assuming credentials are correct and permissions are sufficient.
```bash
# Script proceeds even if credentials are bad or lack permissions
aws s3 cp local.txt s3://my-bucket/
```

✅ GOOD: Validating caller identity before critical operations.
```bash
if ! aws sts get-caller-identity --profile prod > /dev/null 2>&1; then
  echo "ERROR: Failed to authenticate with 'prod' profile. Check credentials and IAM role."
  exit 1
fi
aws s3 cp local.txt s3://my-bucket/ --profile prod
```

## 3. Performance Considerations

Optimize CLI commands for speed and resource usage, especially when dealing with large datasets.

### 3.1. Filter at the Source with `--query` and `--filters`
Reduce network traffic and processing by filtering results directly in the CLI command rather than fetching all data and post-processing with `jq`.

❌ BAD: Fetching all data then filtering locally.
```bash
aws ec2 describe-instances --output json | jq -r '.Reservations[].Instances[] | select(.State.Name=="running") | .InstanceId'
```

✅ GOOD: Filtering on the AWS side using `--filters` and `--query`.
```bash
aws ec2 describe-instances --filters "Name=instance-state-name,Values=running" \
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE f7ec5840d759a5b2

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the f7ec5840d759a5b2 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 4095 of 9169 bytes. © sanjeed5 · CC0-1.0 · https://github.com/sanjeed5/awesome-cursor-rules-mdc/tree/HEAD/rules-mdc/aws-cli.mdc

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