How to Install AWS CLI on Ubuntu[17 Proven Steps]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: July 26, 2023

Expert verified

AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) is a powerful tool that allows you to interact with AWS services through a command-line interface. By using the AWS CLI on Ubuntu, you can streamline your operations, automate tasks, and enhance your productivity. With AWS CLI, you can bid farewell to manual navigation through the AWS Management Console and embrace the power of command-line interactions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing and configuring the AWS CLI on Ubuntu, enabling you to harness the full potential of AWS for your projects. In this guide, you will also learn about common errors that can occur during the installation.

How to Install AWS CLI on Ubuntu

To install AWS CLI on Ubuntu, ensure you have a supported version of Ubuntu installed and both Python and Pip installed on your system. Once these requirements are met, you can proceed with the installation process. Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Open a Terminal window.

2. Enter the following command to check your Ubuntu version:

<strong>lsb_release -a</strong>

3. This command will display your Ubuntu version.

4. Update the package list by opening a Terminal and running the command:

<strong>sudo apt update</strong>

5. This command will refresh the package list to ensure you have the latest versions available.

6. Install Python by executing the following command:

<strong>sudo apt install python3</strong>

7. This command will install Python, a programming language required for AWS CLI.

8. Verify the Python installation by checking the version:

<strong>python3 --version</strong>

9. This command will display the installed Python version.

10. Install Pip, the package installer for Python, using the command:

<strong>sudo apt install python3-pip</strong>

11. This command will install Pip, which is necessary for managing Python packages.

12. Verify the Pip installation by checking the version:

<strong>pip3 --version</strong>

13. This command will display the installed Pip version.

14. Now you can install AWS CLI using Python and Pip, by running the following command to install AWS CLI using Pip:

<strong>pip3 install awscli --upgrade --user</strong>

15. This command will install AWS CLI on your Ubuntu system, specifically for the current user.

16. To ensure that AWS CLI is installed correctly, you can check the version by running the following command in the Terminal:

<strong>aws --version</strong>

17. The command will display the installed AWS CLI version.

How to Configure AWS CLI

After successfully installing AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), the next crucial step is to configure it with your AWS access credentials. Configuring AWS CLI allows you to authenticate and interact with your AWS resources seamlessly. To authenticate with AWS CLI, you’ll need an AWS access key and secret access key. If you don’t have these credentials, follow these steps to generate them:

1. Go to the AWS Management Console. Select Identity and Access Management (IAM) service, provide your registered ID, and then cleck on Next button. You can also create a new account by providing the credentials. 

2. Entering credentials to sign in.

3. Now open the security credentials by clicking on the username on the top right corner of AWS Management Console.

4. Navigate to the Users section in the IAM dashboard.

5.  Select the user to which you want to create the access key.

6. Go to the security credentials tab of the user.

7. Under the Security credentials tab, click Create access key.

8. Now choose the use case for which you want to create the access key. In this case, I am selecting the command line interface.

9. Now accept terms and conditions and click on the Next button to proceed further.

10. Click on Create Access Key button to generate access key.

11. Take note of the generated access key ID and secret access key.

12. Configuring AWS CLI with Access Keys: Configure AWS CLI by running the following command in the Terminal:

<strong>aws configure</strong>

13. You will be prompted to enter your AWS access key ID, secret access key, default region, and output format. Provide the required information accordingly.

4 Common Errors When Installing AWS CLI on Ubuntu

During the installation of AWS CLI on Ubuntu, you might come across a few common errors. By being aware of these common errors and their solutions, you can overcome installation hurdles and successfully install AWS CLI on Ubuntu, enabling you to leverage its powerful features for efficient AWS resource management. Let’s explore four common errors and their solutions:

• 🧰 “Command not found” error: This error typically occurs when the AWS CLI executable is not found in the system’s PATH variable. It means that the installation did not complete successfully or the installation directory is not added to the PATH. To resolve this error, ensure that the installation was successful and the AWS CLI executable path is added to the PATH environment variable. You can add it manually to the PATH or reinstall AWS CLI following the installation instructions.
• 🔒 “Permission denied” error: The “Permission denied” error occurs when the user executing the installation command does not have sufficient permissions to install packages or modify system files. To resolve this error, run the installation command with sudo to elevate your privileges. For example: sudo pip3 install awscli –upgrade –user. Make sure you have administrative rights or consult with your system administrator for the necessary permissions.
• 🌐 “Could not connect to the Internet” error: If your Ubuntu system is unable to connect to the Internet, the AWS CLI installation process will fail as it requires network connectivity to download and install dependencies. Ensure that your Ubuntu system has a working internet connection. Check your network settings, proxy configurations, and firewall settings. If you are behind a proxy, configure the proxy settings for the installation process by setting the appropriate environment variables.
• 📦 “Version conflict” error: If you have an older version of AWS CLI already installed on your Ubuntu system, it can cause version conflicts when trying to install a newer version. To resolve this error, uninstall the existing AWS CLI version before proceeding with the installation of the newer version. Use the appropriate package manager or pip command to remove the old version and then install the latest version of AWS CLI.

In a Nutshell

I hope this guide has provided you with a clear understanding of how to install AWS CLI on Ubuntu. By following the step-by-step installation instructions, you can harness the power of AWS CLI to efficiently manage your AWS resources. Remember to be mindful of the common errors that may occur during installation and refer back to the article for their solutions.

To further expand your knowledge and explore advanced techniques, consider diving into the following articles: Advanced AWS CLI Techniques, Leveraging AWS CLI for Serverless Application Deployment, and AWS CLI Best Practices. By exploring these resources, you’ll gain valuable insights into advanced AWS CLI usage, techniques, and best practices. Unlock the full potential of AWS CLI, optimize your workflows, and take your AWS management skills to new heights.

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