Finetuning
AWS LabsOfficialPublished by AWS Labs
- Skill
- Workflow
- Data and AI
- Apache-2.0
- Low risk
- Has scripts
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill provides a structured workflow to generate code for fine-tuning machine learning models on AWS SageMaker. It supports multiple training techniques including SFT, DPO, RLVR, and RLAIF. The skill ensures that all prerequisites—such as use case specifications, model selection, and environment configuration—are met before generating the necessary Python scripts or Jupyter notebooks. It also handles EULA acceptance for specific models and provides options for executing training jobs and monitoring their status.
What it does
- Generates standardized training code for SFT, DPO, RLVR, and RLAIF techniques.
- Configures SageMaker serverless training jobs with appropriate model and dataset parameters.
- Manages EULA review and acceptance for restricted base models.
- Supports creation of custom reward functions for RLVR workflows.
- Provides options to run training jobs as scripts or within notebooks.
- Monitors training job status and reports performance metrics upon completion.
When to use it
- When the user requests to start training or fine-tune a model.
- When the project plan reaches the fine-tuning phase.
- When you need to perform a subsequent round of fine-tuning on an already customized model.
Advantages
- Ensures consistent code structure and dependency management across projects.
- Automates the configuration of complex SageMaker training parameters.
- Provides a safe, step-by-step process that validates prerequisites before execution.
- Offers flexible execution modes (notebook vs. script) to suit user preferences.
Usage examples
- “I'm ready to train my model using SFT.”
- The agent verifies prerequisites, selects the SFT template, configures the SageMaker environment, and generates the training notebook or script.
- “Can you help me fine-tune this model with RLVR?”
- The agent guides the user through creating a reward function or providing an existing ARN, then generates the RLVR training code.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://mp-staging.autogineer.com/agent-skills/awslabs/finetuning/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip finetuning.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by AWS Labs
Prerequisites
Before starting this workflow, verify:
A
use_case_spec.mdfile existsIf missing: Activate the
use-case-specificationskill first, then resumeDON'T EVER offer to create a use case spec without activating the use-case-specification skill.
A fine-tuning technique (SFT, DPO, RLVR, RLAIF, or CPT/RFT (for Nova)) and base model have already been selected
If missing: Activate the
model-selectionand/orfinetuning-techniqueskills to collect what's missing, then resumeDon't make recommendations on the spot. You MUST activate the appropriate skill.
A base model name available on SageMakerHub has been identified
If missing: Activate the
model-selectionskill to get itImportant: Only use the model name that
model-selectionretrieves, as it may differ from other commonly used names for the same model
The SDK environment has been verified (SDK version, region, execution role)
If not done: Activate the
sdk-getting-startedskill first, then resume
A training dataset uploaded to a bucket in the environment's default region.
If not met: Help the user upload the dataset to the correct S3
Critical Rules
Code Generation Rules
✅ Use EXACTLY the imports shown in each code template
❌ Do NOT add additional imports even if they seem helpful
❌ Do NOT create variables before they're needed in that section
📋 Copy the code structure precisely - no improvisation
🎯 Follow the minimal code principle strictly
✅ When writing code, make sure the indentation and f strings are correct
User Communication Rules
❌ NEVER offer to move on to a downstream skill while training is in progress (logically impossible)
❌ NEVER set ACCEPT_EULA to True without explicit user confirmation in the conversation
✅ Always mention both the number AND title of sections you reference
✅ If user asks how to run (notebook): If
run_cellis available, offer to run it. Otherwise, tell them to run cells one by one (mention ipykernel requirement).✅ If user asks how to run (script): Tell them to run with
python3 <script>.py
Workflow
1. Code Generation Setup
1.1 Directory Setup
Identify project directory from conversation context
If unclear (multiple relevant directories exist) → Ask user which folder to use
If no project directory exists → activate the directory-management skill to set one up
⏸ Wait for user.
1.2 Select Code Template
Read references/code_output_guide.md for output format rules, then read the code template matching the finetuning strategy:
SFT →
code_templates/sft.pyDPO →
code_templates/dpo.pyRLVR →
code_templates/rlvr.pyRLAIF with built-in rewards →
code_templates/rlaif_builtin.pyRLAIF with custom prompt →
code_templates/rlaif_custom_prompt.py
The template is a Python file where each # Cell N: Label comment marks the start of a new section. Split on these markers — everything between one marker and the next becomes one unit of output.
1.3 Generate Code
Write the code from the template following the rules in
code_output_guide.mdUse same order, dependencies, and imports as the template
DO NOT improvise or add extra code
If the model is NOT a Meta/Llama model (model ID does NOT start with
meta-):Omit the
ACCEPT_EULA = Falseline from the config cellOmit the
accept_eula=ACCEPT_EULA,line from the trainer call
If the model is from the Nova family, omit any code containing
max_epochsorlr_warmup_steps_ratiofrom the Configure Trainer section and the Hyperparameter Overrides section
1.4 Auto-Generate Configuration Values
In the 'Setup & Credentials' cell, populate:
BASE_MODEL
Use the exact SageMakerHub model name from context
MODEL_PACKAGE_GROUP_NAME
Generate from use case (read
use_case_spec.mdif needed)Format rules:
Lowercase, alphanumeric with hyphens only
1-63 characters
Pattern:
[a-zA-Z0-9](-*[a-zA-Z0-9]){0,62}Example: "Customer Support Chatbot" →
customer-support-chatbot-v1
Save notebook
2. RLVR Reward Function (for RLVR only, skip this section if technique is SFT or DPO)
2.1 Check Reward Function Status
Ask if user has a reward function already, or would like help creating one.
If user says they have one → Ask for the SageMaker Hub Evaluator ARN. Only proceed to Section 2.3 once the user provides a valid Evaluator ARN. If they don't have it registered as a SageMaker Hub Evaluator, continue to 2.2.
If user says they do not have one → Continue to 2.2
2.2 Generate Reward Function From Template
Follow workflow in
references/rlvr_reward_function.mdsection "Helping Users Create Custom Reward Functions"
2.3 Set CUSTOM_REWARD_FUNCTION value
Set the value for
CUSTOM_REWARD_FUNCTIONin the Notebook with the ARN of the reward function (either given directly by the user, or from the function generation code asevaluator.arn).
3. RLAIF (for RLAIF only, skip this section if technique is not RLAIF)
Read references/rlaif_guide.md and follow its instructions.
4. EULA review and acceptance
Look up the official license link for the selected base model from references/eula_links.md
Display the license to the user following the phrasing in references/eula_links.md. For OSS models: "This model is licensed under {License}. Please review the license terms here: {URL}." For Nova models: "This model is subject to the AWS Service Terms: {URL}."
Check if the selected base model is a Meta/Llama model (model ID starts with
meta-)If Meta/Llama: Tell the user they must read and agree to the EULA before using this model. Ask: "Do you accept the license terms? (yes/no)". If the user confirms, set
ACCEPT_EULA = Trueand uncommentaccept_eula=ACCEPT_EULAin the generated notebook. If the user declines, leaveACCEPT_EULA = Falseand warn that training will fail without acceptance.If non-Meta: Inform the user of the license for their awareness. No code-level action needed — the
ACCEPT_EULAvariable andaccept_eulaparameter should already be omitted from the notebook (see Step 1.3).
5. Post-Generation
After generating the code, offer to run it. Training can take hours depending on your dataset and model.
Notebook mode: If run_cell is available, offer to run the cells. Otherwise tell the user to run cells themselves.
Script mode: Present the user with options:
"Would you like me to:
Leave it to you — run with
python scripts/[script_name]Run it and wait until it's done
Start it but don't wait — we can check status later"
Option 1: Done. Wait for user to come back.
Option 2: Execute the script as-is.
trainer.train(wait=True)blocks until complete. Report final status.Option 3: Change
wait=Truetowait=Falsein the script, execute, report the training job name.
Checking status:
describe-training-job --training-job-name NAME→TrainingJobStatus,FailureReason,SecondaryStatusTransitionsFor model package ARN after completion:
list-model-packages --model-package-group-name GROUP_NAME --sort-by CreationTime --sort-order Descending --max-results 1
Showing results after completion:
Use
scripts/mlflow_reference.pyas the pattern to query MLflow metricsPresent loss by epoch as a text table (total_loss, val_eval_total_loss for SFT; rewards/margins for DPO; critic/rewards/mean for RLVR)
CRITICAL:
DON'T suggest moving to next steps before training completes
DON'T elaborate on the next steps unless the user specifically asks you about them.
6. Continuous Customization
If the user wants to finetune a model they had already customized, follow the instructions in references/continuous_customization.md
References
rlvr_reward_function.md- Lambda reward function creation guide (RLVR only)templates/rlvr_reward_function_source_template.py- Lambda reward function source template for open-weights models (RLVR only)templates/nova_rlvr_reward_function_source_template.py- Lambda reward function source template for Nova 2.0 Lite (RLVR only)code_templates/sft.py- Complete notebook template for Supervised Fine-Tuning (OSS path)code_templates/dpo.py- Complete notebook template for Direct Preference Optimization (OSS path)code_templates/rlvr.py- Complete notebook template for Reinforcement Learning from Verifiable Rewards (OSS path)references/continuous_customization.md- Instructions on fine-tuning an already fine-tuned model.rlaif_guide.md- instructions on RLAIF finetuning optionsrlaif_builtin.py- Code template for RLAIF with built-in judge promptrlaif_custom_prompt.py- Code template for RLAIF with custom judge prompt
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer904 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer9.9 KiB
- NOTICELicence file added by AutoGineer89 B
- SKILL.md9.1 KiB
- code_templates/dpo.pyScript5.7 KiB
- code_templates/rlaif_builtin.pyScript5.5 KiB
- code_templates/rlaif_custom_prompt.pyScript6.0 KiB
- code_templates/rlvr.pyScript6.2 KiB
- code_templates/sft.pyScript5.5 KiB
- references/code_output_guide.md3.2 KiB
- references/continuous_customization.md8.5 KiB
- references/eula_links.md7.8 KiB
- references/rlaif_guide.md3.8 KiB
- references/rlvr_reward_function.md10.0 KiB
- scripts/mlflow_reference.pyScript840 B
- templates/nova_rlvr_reward_function_source_template.pyScript12.7 KiB
- templates/rlvr_reward_function_source_template.pyScript9.2 KiB
templates/rlvr_reward_function_source_template.py
"""
Provide your custom reward function code below. Learn about the available libraries and templates that you can use
at: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sagemaker/latest/dg/customize-model.html.
- You must add your evaluation logic in the reward_function() function
- Do not remove the lambda_handler() function or modify its schema as it is required to create the reward function
"""
import json # For JSON parsing - adjust imports based on your use case
import re # For pattern matching and validation
from typing import Dict, Any, List, Optional # For type hints
# Add any other imports your use case requires
# ========================================================================================
# NOTE: INITIAL SUGGESTION ONLY - MUST BE CUSTOMIZED
#
# YOU MUST:
# 1. Review and update each section per YOUR use case
# 2. Customize the logic for YOUR SPECIFIC requirements
# 3. Replace example values (field names, thresholds, etc.) with your actual values
# 4. Test thoroughly before using
#
# DO NOT use this code as-is. It will not work until you uncomment and customize it.
# =========================================================================================
# =========================================================================================
# SECTION 1: Helper function 1
# =========================================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE or REMOVE the helper function as per YOUR use case
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
def extract_number(text: str) -> Optional[float]:
"""
Extract numerical answer from text.
Looks for numbers after answer keywords, or returns the last number found.
Args:
text: Text containing a numerical answer
Returns:
Extracted number as float, or None if no number found
"""
if not text:
return None
# Try to find numbers after common answer keywords
answer_patterns = [
r'(?:equals|is|answer is|result is|=)\s*(-?\d+\.?\d*)',
r'(?:answer|result|solution):\s*(-?\d+\.?\d*)',
]
for pattern in answer_patterns:
match = re.search(pattern, text, re.IGNORECASE)
if match:
try:
return float(match.group(1))
except ValueError:
pass
# Fallback: find all numbers and return the last one (likely the answer)
pattern = r'-?\d+\.?\d*'
matches = re.findall(pattern, text)
if matches:
try:
return float(matches[-1]) # Return last number instead of first
except ValueError:
return None
return None
# =========================================================================================
# SECTION 2: Helper function 2
# =========================================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE or REMOVE the helper function as per YOUR use case
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
def compute_reasoning_quality(response: str) -> float:
"""
Compute reasoning quality score based on response characteristics.
This is a simple heuristic - customize based on your needs.
Args:
response: The model's response text
Returns:
Quality score between 0.0 and 1.0
"""
if not response:
return 0.0
score = 0.0
# Check for reasoning indicators (customize these for your use case)
reasoning_indicators = [
'because', 'therefore', 'thus', 'since', 'so',
'first', 'second', 'then', 'finally',
'step', 'calculate', 'compute', 'equals'
]
response_lower = response.lower()
# Award points for reasoning indicators (max 0.55)
indicator_count = sum(1 for indicator in reasoning_indicators if indicator in response_lower)
score += min(indicator_count * 0.11, 0.55)
# Award points for response length (indicates detailed reasoning, max 0.25)
if len(response) > 30:
score += 0.05
if len(response) > 60:
score += 0.1
if len(response) > 120:
score += 0.1
# Award points for structured response (max 0.2)
if '\n' in response or '.' in response:
score += 0.2
return min(score, 1.0)
# =========================================================================================
# SECTION 3: Sample reward function
# =========================================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE or REMOVE the reward function as per YOUR use case
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
def reward_function(sample: Dict[str, Any], index: int) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""
Args:
sample: Dictionary containing messages and reference_answer
index: Sample index in batch
Returns:
Dictionary with reward scores and metrics
"""
# ========================================================================
# SECTION 4: Parse input
# ========================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE logic to parse the input as per YOUR use case
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
# Extract the response and reference
messages = sample.get('messages', sample.get('prompt', []))
reference_answer = sample.get('reference_answer', {}).get('text', '') or sample.get('reward_model', {}).get('ground_truth', '')
# Get the question and assistant's response
question = ""
response = ""
for msg in messages:
if msg.get('role') == 'user':
question = msg.get('content', '')
elif msg.get('role') == 'assistant':
response = msg.get('content', '')
# Extract numerical answers
predicted = extract_number(response)
expected = extract_number(reference_answer)
# Compute metrics
exact_match = 0.0
answer_present = 0.0
reasoning_quality = compute_reasoning_quality(response)
if predicted is not None and expected is not None:
exact_match = 1.0 if abs(predicted - expected) < 1e-6 else 0.0
answer_present = 1.0
# ========================================================================
# SECTION 5: Compute reward scores
# ========================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE logic to compute aggregate score
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
# Aggregate reward computation
aggregate_reward = 0.7 * exact_match + 0.3 * reasoning_quality
# ========================================================================
# SECTION 6: Form the metrics list
# ========================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE logic to compute metrics list
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
metrics = [
{
'name': 'exact_match',
'value': float(exact_match),
'type': 'Reward'
},
{
'name': 'answer_present',
'value': float(answer_present),
'type': 'Metric'
},
{
'name': 'reasoning_quality',
'value': float(reasoning_quality),
'type': 'Metric'
}
]
# ========================================================================
# SECTION 7: Return output
# ========================================================================
# TODO: UPDATE the return statement to return YOUR outout
# UPDATE the key before creating the evaluator
# Note the below lines of code are examples and will not work for your use case
# You MUST update them to match YOUR use case
return {
'id': str(sample.get('my_key', f'sample-{index:03d}')), # Use formatted index as fallback
'aggregate_reward_score': float(aggregate_reward),
'metrics_list': metrics
}
def lambda_handler(event: Dict[str, Any], context: Any) -> Dict[str, Any]:
"""
AWS Lambda Handler for reward function
"""
try:
# Extract batch from event
batch = event.get('input', event) if isinstance(event, dict) else event
if 'batch' in event:
batch = event.get('batch', [])
elif 'body' in event:
body = json.loads(event.get('body', '{}'))
batch = body.get('batch', [])
if not batch:
return {"error":"Missing or empty batch"}
# Process each sample
results = []
for i, sample in enumerate(batch):
try:
result = reward_function(sample, i)
results.append(result)
except Exception as e:
return {"error": str(e)}
return {
'statusCode': 200,
'headers': {'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
'body': json.dumps(results)
}
except Exception as e:
return {
'statusCode': 400,
'body': json.dumps({"error": str(e)})
}
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 Python
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Attribution and licence
- Published by
- AWS Labs
- Publisher
- AWS Labs (Official)
- Source
- awslabs/agent-plugins · plugins/sagemaker-ai/skills/finetuning · commit fbefb37
- 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
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The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download finetuning.zip