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

npm install -g aws-cdk
cdk --version

2. Configure AWS Credentials

# 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

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

# macOS/Linux
source .venv/bin/activate

# Windows
.venv\Scripts\activate

5. Install Python Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Primary dependencies:

aws-cdk-lib — Core CDK constructs
constructs — Base construct library

Development Workflow

Synthesize CloudFormation Templates

cdk synth

Generates cdk.out/ containing CloudFormation templates.

Deploy Stacks to AWS

cdk deploy

Reviews and confirms deployment to the configured AWS account.

Bootstrap (First Deployment Only)

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.