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Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
AWS Blocks is an Infrastructure-from-Code framework that simplifies backend development by bundling CDK, SDK, and local mocks into unified Building Blocks. It enables developers to define backend resources within an aws-blocks/ directory, providing typed frontend integration and local development capabilities without requiring AWS credentials. The framework supports various services including storage, authentication, real-time communication, and background jobs, while enforcing security best practices through least-privilege resource management.
What it does
- Provides a unified API for AWS services using pre-configured Building Blocks.
- Enables local development and testing of backend infrastructure without AWS credentials.
- Supports scaffolding new projects or integrating with existing ones, including Amplify Gen 2.
- Offers typed frontend integration to eliminate the need for manual client generation.
- Includes security guidance for authentication, secret management, and IAM policy configuration.
- Facilitates deployment of ephemeral sandbox environments and long-lived production stacks.
When to use it
- When building full-stack applications that require integrated AWS backend services.
- When you need a local development environment that mirrors cloud infrastructure.
- When you want to manage backend infrastructure as code within a dedicated workspace.
- When implementing authentication, storage, or real-time features in a type-safe manner.
- When deploying applications that require least-privilege IAM configurations.
Advantages
- Reduces boilerplate by bundling CDK and SDK logic into reusable blocks.
- Improves developer productivity with local mocks that persist data.
- Ensures type safety between the backend API and frontend code.
- Simplifies security by providing built-in least-privilege resource scoping.
- Supports rapid iteration through ephemeral sandbox deployments.
Usage examples
- “How do I start a new AWS Blocks project?”
- You can use the CLI command 'npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app my-app' to scaffold a new project with the default template.
- “How do I secure an API method in AWS Blocks?”
- You should use 'await auth.requireAuth(context)' within your method to ensure it is protected, as methods are unauthenticated by default.
- “Can I use AWS Blocks with an existing Amplify project?”
- Yes, running 'npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app .' in your project root will detect 'amplify/backend.ts' and integrate AWS Blocks automatically.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/aws/aws-blocks/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip aws-blocks.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by AWS
AWS Blocks Application Development
Package naming: All packages are published under the
@aws-blocksscope (e.g.,@aws-blocks/core,@aws-blocks/blocks,@aws-blocks/bb-kv-store).
Overview
AWS Blocks is an Infrastructure-from-Code framework where Building Blocks bundle CDK, SDK, and local mocks into a single API. It provides 18+ Building Blocks covering storage, authentication, real-time communication, background jobs, file management, AI/search, email, and observability — all working locally without AWS credentials.
Key characteristics:
One
aws-blocks/directory defines the entire backendFrontend imports are fully typed — no client generation needed
All Building Blocks work locally without AWS (mocks persist to
.bb-data/)Deploy ephemeral, individual testing environments with
npm run sandboxand long-lived environments withnpm run deployusing least-privilege credentials
Scaffolding a New Project
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app my-app
cd my-appTo add AWS Blocks to an existing project:
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app .This detects the existing project and adds an aws-blocks/ workspace alongside your code.
To add AWS Blocks to an Amplify Gen 2 project:
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app .When the CLI detects amplify/backend.ts, it automatically integrates AWS Blocks with your Amplify backend.
With a specific template:
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app my-app --template demo
cd my-appAvailable Templates
| Template | Description |
|---|---|
default | Vite + lit-html starter app with basic authentication, data persistence, and realtime to help demonstrate basic app architecture and patterns (used when --template is omitted) |
bare | Vite + lit-html starter with a single "hello world" API method and a bare frontend |
react | React + Vite starter with a single API endpoint and typed React frontend |
backend | Backend-only — no frontend, just the AWS Blocks API with a single endpoint |
demo | Todo app with AuthBasic, KVStore, DistributedTable, Zod schemas, indexes, and auth-protected CRUD |
auth-cognito | Full AuthCognito passwordless email-OTP with roles, device management, and Authenticator UI |
nextjs | Next.js + React starter with AWS Blocks backend integration (SSR + Server Components) |
Development Workflow
After scaffolding, refer to node_modules/@aws-blocks/blocks/README.md for the complete development workflow including:
Core concepts (Architecture, Building Block selection)
Project structure and Scope organization
Error handling patterns
Schema validation
Local development
Best practices and common mistakes
Deployment IAM role setup and security guidance
When implementing a specific Building Block, read its package README for the detailed API reference (e.g., node_modules/@aws-blocks/bb-kv-store/README.md). These are the authoritative docs for your installed version.
Security Considerations
Use
await auth.requireAuth(context)in every method that shouldn't be public — ApiNamespace methods are unauthenticated by defaultUse
new AppSetting(scope, id, { secret: true })for API keys and credentials — never hardcode or use.envfilesAlways attach a schema to KVStore/AppSetting that accepts user data — the RPC layer validates structure but not business logic
Do not add broad
*IAM policies — each Building Block already grants least-privilege scoped to its own resourcesNever change
blockPublicAccesson FileBucket — serve public files through CloudFront insteadConfigure
CORS_ALLOWED_ORIGINSexplicitly for production — avoid wildcardsFor cross-domain deployments, pass
crossDomain: trueto auth constructors (enablesSameSite=None; Secure; Partitioned)Enable
monitoring: { enabled: true, snsTopicArn: '...' }on Hosting for production alertsAdd WAF and API Gateway throttling via CDK for public-facing apps — not included by default
Logger provides serialization safety (circular refs, type coercion) but does NOT redact sensitive content — never pass raw credentials, tokens, or secrets to Logger methods; sanitize context objects before logging
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer885 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer9.9 KiB
- NOTICELicence file added by AutoGineer67 B
- SKILL.md4.7 KiB
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Requirements and compatibility
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Needs: Needs an API key, Needs Node.js
Security
No issues found by our static scan· No issues found
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Attribution and licence
- Published by
- AWS
- Publisher
- AWS (Official)
- Source
- aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws · skills/core-skills/aws-blocks · commit 0a218f8
- Licence
- Apache License 2.0 (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- NOTICE (added by AutoGineer from NOTICE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
- Also distributed in
- aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by AWS.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download aws-blocks.zip