AWS CDK Python Setup Instructions

Prerequisites

• 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

3. Create a New CDK Project

mkdir my-cdk-project
cd my-cdk-project
cdk init app --language python

• 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

• aws-cdk-lib

  — Core CDK constructs

• constructs

  — Base construct library

Development Workflow

Synthesize CloudFormation Templates

cdk synth

cdk.out/

Deploy Stacks to AWS

cdk deploy

Bootstrap (First Deployment Only)

cdk bootstrap

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

• 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.