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AWS CLI Installation Guide: A Practical Step-by-Step Process

AWS CLI Installation Guide: A Practical Step-by-Step Process

Introduction: Why the AWS CLI matters

The AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool that lets you manage your AWS resources from the terminal. Whether you’re deploying infrastructure, automating routine tasks, or integrating AWS services into CI/CD pipelines, the AWS CLI provides a consistent, scriptable interface across all AWS regions. Getting the AWS CLI up and running is a foundational skill for developers, data engineers, and operations teams alike. This guide focuses on the practical steps for the AWS CLI installation, explains the differences between versions, and offers best practices to keep your setup secure and reliable.

Understanding AWS CLI versions

There are two main versions to be aware of: AWS CLI v1 and AWS CLI v2. AWS CLI v2 is the recommended choice for most users because it is feature-complete, self-contained (no external Python dependency), and receives ongoing support and improvements. It also includes enhanced help, improved SSO support, and streamlined authentication flows. When you plan the AWS CLI installation, prioritizing v2 will typically deliver the best long-term experience. If you’re maintaining an older project, you may still encounter v1 references, but for new deployments, the v2 installer is the sensible default.

Prerequisites and environment planning

Before you begin, consider the following:

  • Access to an internet connection to download the installer.
  • Administrative privileges on the machine you’re installing to (sudo on Linux/macOS, or an installer privilege on Windows).
  • Awareness of your target platform (Linux, macOS, Windows) and any corporate policy that governs software installations.
  • A basic plan for credentials and profiles (for example, multiple AWS accounts or environments like development, staging, and production).

The installation process for the AWS CLI v2 is straightforward and covers Linux, macOS, and Windows. In most cases, you won’t need Python or any external dependencies, which simplifies maintenance and reduces the likelihood of version conflicts with other tooling.

Installation methods by platform

Linux and macOS: using the bundled installer

The official AWS CLI v2 installer provides a self-contained package for Linux and macOS. This method is reliable and works across a wide range of distributions or shells. The steps below illustrate a typical installation workflow from the command line.

# Download the installer (replace x.y.z with the latest version if needed)
curl "https://awscli.amazonaws.com/awscli-exe-linux-x86_64.zip" -o "awscliv2.zip"

# Unzip the package
unzip awscliv2.zip

# Install (may require sudo)
sudo ./aws/install

# Optional: remove installation artifacts
rm -f awscliv2.zip
rm -rf aws

Notes:

  • For macOS, you can also use the Linux-style installer if you’re on a compatible environment, but Apple typically provides the macOS package (.pkg) via the official site. If you prefer a GUI-based installer, the .pkg method is common.
  • To verify the installation, run aws --version. You should see a v2 release string and the installed version number.

Linux/macOS: using package managers

Some users prefer package managers for easier upgrades and integration with system tooling. Depending on your OS, you can install AWS CLI v2 through Homebrew on macOS or via distro-specific repositories on Linux. Always check the latest guidance from AWS docs for your distribution.

# macOS with Homebrew
brew update
brew install awscli

# Linux (example with apt for Debian/Ubuntu users; availability may vary by distro)
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install awscli

After installation, confirm the version with aws --version to ensure you’re running the expected release.

Windows: MSI installer and alternative methods

On Windows, AWS provides a straightforward MSI installer that configures the AWS CLI for you. You can download it from the official AWS site and run it like any other Windows installer. For automation or package management in Windows environments, you can also use Chocolatey or Winget to install the AWS CLI.

# Using Chocolatey (example)
choco install awscli

# Using Winget (Windows Package Manager)
winget install AWSCLI

After installation, verify with the Command Prompt or PowerShell: aws --version.

Verifying the installation

Regardless of the platform, the first verification step confirms that the AWS CLI is properly installed and accessible from your PATH. Run:

aws --version

You should see something like:

aws-cli/2.x.y Python/3.z.z Darwin/20.x.x exe/x86_64

If you don’t see a version string or receive a “command not found” message, re-check the PATH environment variable or redo the installation steps to ensure the binary is correctly placed in a directory that’s in your PATH.

Configuring the AWS CLI

Configuration prepares the CLI to authenticate with AWS services and to know which region and output format to use by default. The simplest approach is to run the interactive configuration command:

aws configure

During this prompts, you’ll provide:

  • AWS Access Key ID
  • AWS Secret Access Key
  • Default region name (for example, us-west-2)
  • Default output format (json, text, table)

Alternatively, you can create named profiles for multiple accounts or environments:

aws configure --profile dev
aws configure --profile prod

These commands create separate credentials and config files under the AWS credentials directory (typically located at ~/.aws/ on Unix-like systems or C:\Users\\.aws\ on Windows).

Common configuration locations and variables include:

  • ~/.aws/credentials for access keys
  • ~/.aws/config for region and output
  • AWS_PROFILE or AWS_DEFAULT_PROFILE environment variable to select a profile at runtime

Best practices for a secure and scalable setup

  • Avoid embedding keys in scripts or code. Use the AWS CLI with profiles that reference IAM credentials obtained from secure sources.
  • Prefer IAM users, roles, or federated access over long-lived keys. Rotate credentials regularly and apply least-privilege permissions.
  • For automation, consider using named profiles for different environments and connections to different AWS accounts.
  • Keep the AWS CLI up to date. The v2 line receives security patches and feature improvements that help with day-to-day operations.
  • If you use AWS SSO, explore SSO-enabled login workflows in the AWS CLI to avoid static keys and to simplify cross-account access.

Troubleshooting common issues

  • Command not found after installation: verify the PATH and ensure the installation directory is included in PATH. Reopen your terminal after installation if necessary.
  • Permission denied when installing: use sudo (Linux/macOS) or run the installer as Administrator (Windows).
  • Credential errors after configuration: double-check the Access Key and Secret Key pairs, and ensure the profile you’re using has the necessary permissions.
  • Region or endpoint errors: confirm that the default region is correct for the resources you’re targeting, or specify a region per command using –region.

When in doubt, consult the official AWS CLI documentation for the exact commands tailored to your platform and the latest recommendations. A small, deliberate setup goes a long way in reducing issues later.

Conclusion: Start using the AWS CLI today

Installing the AWS CLI is a one-time setup that unlocks a broad set of automation capabilities. Whether you’re provisioning infrastructure, managing configurations, or extracting data, the CLI provides a consistent interface that scales with your needs. By choosing the recommended AWS CLI v2, following platform-specific installation steps, validating the installation, and configuring secure profiles, you’ll be positioned to accelerate your workflows and improve reliability across teams. With careful best practices and a proactive approach to security, your AWS CLI installation will serve as a solid foundation for day-to-day cloud operations and future automation projects.