aws-mcp-setup — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install

---
name: aws-mcp-setup
description: Configure AWS MCP servers for documentation search and API access. Use when setting up AWS MCP, configuring AWS documentation tools, troubleshooting MCP connectivity, or when user mentions aws-mcp, awsdocs, uvx setup, or MCP server configuration. Covers both Full AWS MCP Server (with uvx + credentials) and lightweight Documentation MCP (no auth required).
allowed-tools:
  - Bash(which *)
  - Bash(aws sts get-caller-identity*)
  - Bash(claude mcp *)
  - Bash(cat *mcp.json*)
  - Bash(cat *claude.json*)
---

# AWS MCP Server Configuration Guide

## Overview

This guide helps you configure AWS MCP tools for AI agents. Two options are available:

| Option | Requirements | Capabilities |
|--------|--------------|--------------|
| **Full AWS MCP Server** | Python 3.10+, uvx, AWS credentials | Execute AWS API calls + documentation search |
| **AWS Documentation MCP** | None | Documentation search only |

## Step 1: Check Existing Configuration

Before configuring, check if AWS MCP tools are already available using either method:

### Method A: Check Available Tools (Recommended)

Look for these tool name patterns in your agent's available tools:
- `mcp__aws-mcp__*` or `mcp__aws__*` → Full AWS MCP Server configured
- `mcp__*awsdocs*__aws___*` → AWS Documentation MCP configured

**How to check**: Run `/mcp` command to list all active MCP servers.

### Method B: Check Configuration Files

Agent tools use hierarchical configuration (precedence: local → project → user → enterprise):

| Scope | File Location | Use Case |
|-------|---------------|----------|
| Local | `.claude.json` (in project) | Personal/experimental |
| Project | `.mcp.json` (project root) | Team-shared |
| User | `~/.claude.json` | Cross-project personal |
| Enterprise | System managed directories | Organization-wide |

Check these files for `mcpServers` containing `aws-mcp`, `aws`, or `awsdocs` keys:

```bash
# Check project config
cat .mcp.json 2>/dev/null | grep -E '"(aws-mcp|aws|awsdocs)"'

# Check user config
cat ~/.claude.json 2>/dev/null | grep -E '"(aws-mcp|aws|awsdocs)"'

# Or use Claude CLI
claude mcp list
```

If AWS MCP is already configured, no further setup needed.

## Step 2: Choose Configuration Method

### Automatic Detection

Run these commands to determine which option to use:

```bash
# Check for uvx (requires Python 3.10+)
which uvx || echo "uvx not available"

# Check for valid AWS credentials
aws sts get-caller-identity || echo "AWS credentials not configured"
```

### Option A: Full AWS MCP Server (Recommended)

**Use when**: uvx available AND AWS credentials valid

**Prerequisites**:
- Python 3.10+ with `uv` package manager
- AWS credentials configured (via profile, environment variables, or IAM role)

**Required IAM Permissions**:
```json
{
  "Version": "2012-10-17",
  "Statement": [{
    "Effect": "Allow",
    "Action": [
      "aws-mcp:InvokeMCP",
      "aws-mcp:CallReadOnlyTool",
      "aws-mcp:CallReadWriteTool"
    ],
    "Resource": "*"
  }]
}
```

**Configuration** (add to your MCP settings):
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aws-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-proxy-for-aws@latest",
        "https://aws-mcp.us-east-1.api.aws/mcp",
        "--metadata", "AWS_REGION=us-west-2"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

**Credential Configuration Options**:

1. **AWS Profile** (recommended for development):
   ```json
   "args": [
     "mcp-proxy-for-aws@latest",
     "https://aws-mcp.us-east-1.api.aws/mcp",
     "--profile", "my-profile",
     "--metadata", "AWS_REGION=us-west-2"
   ]
   ```

2. **Environment Variables**:
   ```json
   "env": {
     "AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID": "...",
     "AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY": "...",
     "AWS_REGION": "us-west-2"
   }
   ```

3. **IAM Role** (for EC2/ECS/Lambda): No additional config needed - uses instance credentials

**Additional Options**:
- `--region <region>`: Override AWS region
- `--read-only`: Restrict to read-only tools
- `--log-level <level>`: Set logging level (debug, info, warning, error)

**Reference**: https://github.com/aws/mcp-proxy-for-aws

### Option B: AWS Documentation MCP Server (No Auth)

**Use when**:
- No Python/uvx environment
- No AWS credentials
- Only need documentation search (no API execution)

**Configuration**:
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "awsdocs": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://knowledge-mcp.global.api.aws"
    }
  }
}
```

## Step 3: Verification

After configuration, verify tools are available:

**For Full AWS MCP**:
- Look for tools: `mcp__aws-mcp__aws___search_documentation`, `mcp__aws-mcp__aws___call_aws`

**For Documentation MCP**:
- Look for tools: `mcp__awsdocs__aws___search_documentation`, `mcp__awsdocs__aws___read_documentation`

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|-------|-------|----------|
| `uvx: command not found` | uv not installed | Install with `pip install uv` or use Option B |
| `AccessDenied` error | Missing IAM permissions | Add aws-mcp:* permissions to IAM policy |
| `InvalidSignatureException` | Credential issue | Check `aws sts get-caller-identity` |
| Tools not appearing | MCP not started | Restart your agent after config change |