How to Install AWS CLI on Ubuntu[3 Proven Methods]

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 13, 2024

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Installing AWS CLI on Ubuntu can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re looking to manage your AWS resources efficiently from the command line, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to install AWS CLI using APT, PIP, and manual methods. You’ll also learn how to configure it with your credentials and apply crucial security practices to protect your data. Let’s make the installation process smooth and straightforward so you can start leveraging the power of AWS CLI.

What is AWS CLI?

AWS CLI, or Amazon Web Services Command Line Interface, is a tool that lets you interact with AWS services directly from your command line. Instead of using the AWS Management Console (the web-based interface), you can type commands to manage your AWS resources. This tool is useful for tasks like launching servers, managing storage, and deploying applications.

Benefits of Using AWS CLI

• Efficiency: AWS CLI allows you to perform tasks quickly by typing commands instead of navigating through the web interface. This can save a lot of time, especially for repetitive tasks.
• Automation: You can write scripts that use AWS CLI commands to automate tasks. For example, you could create a script to back up your data every night. This reduces the chance of human error and ensures consistency.
• Control: AWS CLI gives you complete control over your AWS services. You can specify every detail of your commands, which is great for advanced users who need precise configurations.
• Flexibility: You can use AWS CLI on different operating systems like Linux, macOS, and Windows. This means you can work in your preferred environment without any limitations.
• Cost Management: By using AWS CLI, you can easily monitor and manage your AWS resources. For example, you can write commands to check your usage and optimize your spending.
• Integration: AWS CLI works well with other tools and services. You can integrate it with DevOps tools like Jenkins or Terraform to streamline your development and deployment processes.

How to Install AWS CLI on Ubuntu

Here is the detailed step-by-step guide for three different methods to install AWS CLI on Ubuntu:

1. Install AWS CLI Using PIP

1. Open a Terminal window.

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

lsb_release -a

3. This command will display your Ubuntu version.

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

sudo apt update

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

6. Install Python by executing the following command:

sudo apt install python3

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

8. Verify the Python installation by checking the version:

python3 --version

9. This command will display the installed Python version.

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

sudo apt install python3-pip

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

12. Verify the Pip installation by checking the version:

pip3 --version

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:

pip3 install awscli --upgrade --user

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:

aws --version

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

2. Installing AWS CLI via APT

The Advanced Package Tool (APT) is Ubuntu’s default package manager, which makes it easy to install, update, and manage software packages.

1. Before installing any new software, it’s important to update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This command updates the package list and upgrades all existing packages to their latest versions.

2. Install the AWS CLI package using APT.

sudo apt install awscli -y

This command downloads and installs the AWS CLI package along with any necessary dependencies.

3. After installation, it’s crucial to verify that AWS CLI is installed correctly.

aws --version

This command will display the version of AWS CLI installed, confirming a successful installation.

3. Manual Installation of AWS CLI

Manual installation of AWS CLI provides more control over the installation process, allowing users to install the latest version directly from AWS. This method is useful if you prefer not to use the package manager or if you need a specific version of AWS CLI that isn’t available in the APT repository.

1. Downloading the AWS CLI bundle ensures that you are getting the latest version directly from AWS.
2. Use the curl command to download the AWS CLI bundle from the official AWS website.

curl "https://awscli.amazonaws.com/awscli-exe-linux-x86_64.zip" -o "awscliv2.zip"

This command fetches the AWS CLI bundle and saves it as awscliv2.zip.

3. After downloading, extract the contents of the zip file.

unzip awscliv2.zip

This command unzips the file, creating a directory containing the installation files.

4. Navigate to the extracted directory and run the installation script.

sudo ./aws/install

This command initiates the installation process. The sudo prefix ensures that the installation has the necessary permissions.

5. Once the installation is complete, verify that AWS CLI is installed correctly.

aws --version

This command displays the installed version of AWS CLI, confirming a successful installation.

How to Configure AWS CLI

After successfully installing AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), the next crucial step is to AWS configure Ubuntu 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:

aws configure

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.

Security Best Practices for AWS CLI

When using AWS CLI, it’s important to follow security best practices to protect your data and resources. These guidelines help you manage your AWS environment securely and reduce the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches. Here are five key practices to keep in mind:

• 🔒 Use IAM Roles Instead of Access Keys: Assign IAM roles to your instances instead of using access keys. This approach provides temporary credentials, reducing the risk of exposure and improving security management.
• 🔑 Regularly Rotate Access Keys: Change your access keys frequently to minimize the risk of compromised credentials. AWS recommends rotating access keys every 90 days and immediately disabling old keys.
• 🗂️ Limit Permissions with IAM Policies: Apply the principle of least privilege by granting only the permissions necessary for users to perform their tasks. This limits potential damage from compromised accounts.
• 🛡️ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require MFA for all IAM users. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access even if they have your password.
• 🧩 Store Secrets Securely: Use AWS Secrets Manager or AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store to manage and store secrets, such as database passwords or API keys. This keeps sensitive information secure and accessible only to authorized users.

AWS CLI Ubuntu: In a Nutshell

In this article, I’ve covered how to install AWS CLI on Ubuntu using three different methods: via APT, using PIP, and through manual installation. I have walked through each step to ensure a smooth installation process. Additionally, I have discussed how to configure AWS CLI with your credentials and shared important security best practices to protect your data and AWS resources effectively.

To continue expanding your knowledge:

• Learn different methods to shut down an Ubuntu server, helping you manage your server environment efficiently.
• Discover how to check the version of a Python package, ensuring compatibility and troubleshooting dependencies effectively.
• Understand how to fix the “you have held broken packages” error on Linux, preventing installation issues and maintaining system stability.

Frequently Asked Questions