aws cdk python setup

Author's original introduction

Setup and initialization guide for developing AWS CDK (Cloud Development Kit) applications in Python. This skill enables users to configure environment prerequisites, create new CDK projects, manage dependencies, and deploy to AWS.

SkillPi interpretation

Tasks

aws cdk python setup

Audience

Use the scenarios stated in the author's introduction.

Inputs and outputs

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Check required software, accounts, costs and permissions in the full document; confirm and authorize actual file access and external services in your host. Domains referenced in the documents (not a runtime allowlist): No HTTP(S) domain stated. The author’s Node/Python minima are historical references; check current AWS-supported versions before installation. cdk bootstrap/deploy creates cloud resources and may incur costs. Run diff and confirm account, region and least-privilege IAM before approval. Pin external tools from official sources and audit them separately; SkillPi has not installed or run those dependencies. The user must authorize file changes, external transfers, secrets and costs in the host tool.

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Functionality, version status and outcome statements in the introduction are author claims. Only pinned source and static attachment evidence were checked; runtime behavior, external services and compatibility are not guaranteed.

Testing

Not tested

Security rating and access scope

caution · Static evidence review; not a runtime safety guarantee.

Check required software, accounts, costs and permissions in the full document; confirm and authorize actual file access and external services in your host. Domains referenced in the documents (not a runtime allowlist): No HTTP(S) domain stated. The author’s Node/Python minima are historical references; check current AWS-supported versions before installation. cdk bootstrap/deploy creates cloud resources and may incur costs. Run diff and confirm account, region and least-privilege IAM before approval. Pin external tools from official sources and audit them separately; SkillPi has not installed or run those dependencies. The user must authorize file changes, external transfers, secrets and costs in the host tool.

Before use, confirm and authorize actual file access, external services and network destinations in your host. This review grants no runtime permissions.

Original SKILL.md

---
name: aws-cdk-python-setup
description: Setup and initialization guide for developing AWS CDK (Cloud Development Kit) applications in Python. This skill enables users to configure environment prerequisites, create new CDK projects, manage dependencies, and deploy to AWS.
---
# AWS CDK Python Setup Instructions

This skill provides setup guidance for working with **AWS CDK (Cloud Development Kit)** projects using **Python**.

---

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure the following tools are installed:

- **Node.js** ≥ 14.15.0 — Required for the AWS CDK CLI
- **Python** ≥ 3.7 — Used for writing CDK code
- **AWS CLI** — Manages credentials and resources
- **Git** — Version control and project management

---

## Installation Steps

### 1. Install AWS CDK CLI
```bash
npm install -g aws-cdk
cdk --version
```

### 2. Configure AWS Credentials
```bash
# Install AWS CLI (if not installed)
brew install awscli

# Configure credentials
aws configure
```
Enter your AWS Access Key, Secret Access Key, default region, and output format when prompted.

### 3. Create a New CDK Project
```bash
mkdir my-cdk-project
cd my-cdk-project
cdk init app --language python
```

Your project will include:
- `app.py` — Main application entry point
- `my_cdk_project/` — CDK stack definitions
- `requirements.txt` — Python dependencies
- `cdk.json` — Configuration file

### 4. Set Up Python Virtual Environment
```bash
# macOS/Linux
source .venv/bin/activate

# Windows
.venv\Scripts\activate
```

### 5. Install Python Dependencies
```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
Primary dependencies:
- `aws-cdk-lib` — Core CDK constructs
- `constructs` — Base construct library

---

## Development Workflow

### Synthesize CloudFormation Templates
```bash
cdk synth
```
Generates `cdk.out/` containing CloudFormation templates.

### Deploy Stacks to AWS
```bash
cdk deploy
```
Reviews and confirms deployment to the configured AWS account.

### Bootstrap (First Deployment Only)
```bash
cdk bootstrap
```
Prepares environment resources like S3 buckets for asset storage.

---

## Best Practices

- Always activate the virtual environment before working.
- Run `cdk diff` before deployment to preview changes.
- Use development accounts for testing.
- Follow Pythonic naming and directory conventions.
- Keep `requirements.txt` pinned for consistent builds.

---

## Troubleshooting Tips

If issues occur, check:

- AWS credentials are correctly configured.
- Default region is set properly.
- Node.js and Python versions meet minimum requirements.
- Run `cdk doctor` to diagnose environment issues.

Copyright and license notice

MIT License

Copyright GitHub, Inc.

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.