cloudformation
Provides comprehensive guidance for AWS CloudFormation including templates, stacks, parameters, and infrastructure automation. Use when the user asks about CloudFormation, needs to create AWS infrastructure as code, manage stacks, or implement AWS IaC best practices.
Best use case
cloudformation is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt. It is especially useful for teams working in multi. Provides comprehensive guidance for AWS CloudFormation including templates, stacks, parameters, and infrastructure automation. Use when the user asks about CloudFormation, needs to create AWS infrastructure as code, manage stacks, or implement AWS IaC best practices.
Provides comprehensive guidance for AWS CloudFormation including templates, stacks, parameters, and infrastructure automation. Use when the user asks about CloudFormation, needs to create AWS infrastructure as code, manage stacks, or implement AWS IaC best practices.
Users should expect a more consistent workflow output, faster repeated execution, and less time spent rewriting prompts from scratch.
Practical example
Example input
Use the "cloudformation" skill to help with this workflow task. Context: Provides comprehensive guidance for AWS CloudFormation including templates, stacks, parameters, and infrastructure automation. Use when the user asks about CloudFormation, needs to create AWS infrastructure as code, manage stacks, or implement AWS IaC best practices.
Example output
A structured workflow result with clearer steps, more consistent formatting, and an output that is easier to reuse in the next run.
When to use this skill
- Use this skill when you want a reusable workflow rather than writing the same prompt again and again.
When not to use this skill
- Do not use this when you only need a one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- Do not use it if you cannot install or maintain the related files, repository context, or supporting tools.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/cloudformation/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How cloudformation Compares
| Feature / Agent | cloudformation | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Provides comprehensive guidance for AWS CloudFormation including templates, stacks, parameters, and infrastructure automation. Use when the user asks about CloudFormation, needs to create AWS infrastructure as code, manage stacks, or implement AWS IaC best practices.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
## When to use this skill
Use this skill whenever the user wants to:
- Write or debug CloudFormation templates (YAML/JSON)
- Create and manage AWS resources (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, etc.)
- Configure CloudFormation stacks, nested stacks, or stack sets
- Implement infrastructure automation with CloudFormation best practices
- Use cross-stack references with Export/ImportValue
## How to use this skill
### Workflow
1. **Define template** — write YAML with Parameters, Resources, and Outputs
2. **Create change set** — preview changes before applying
3. **Deploy stack** — create or update the stack
4. **Validate** — check stack events and outputs
### Quick Start Example
```yaml
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: '2010-09-09'
Description: Simple S3 bucket with versioning
Parameters:
Environment:
Type: String
AllowedValues: [dev, staging, prod]
Default: dev
Resources:
AppBucket:
Type: AWS::S3::Bucket
Properties:
BucketName: !Sub 'myapp-${Environment}-assets'
VersioningConfiguration:
Status: Enabled
Outputs:
BucketArn:
Value: !GetAtt AppBucket.Arn
Export:
Name: !Sub '${Environment}-AppBucketArn'
```
```bash
# Validate template
aws cloudformation validate-template --template-body file://template.yaml
# Create stack with change set preview
aws cloudformation deploy \
--template-file template.yaml \
--stack-name myapp-dev \
--parameter-overrides Environment=dev
```
### Cross-Stack Reference Example
```yaml
# In consuming stack — import the exported bucket ARN
Resources:
LambdaFunction:
Type: AWS::Lambda::Function
Properties:
Environment:
Variables:
BUCKET_ARN: !ImportValue dev-AppBucketArn
```
## Best Practices
- Use YAML over JSON for readability and version control
- Store sensitive values with `Parameter` + `NoEcho` or AWS Secrets Manager — never hardcode
- Use Mappings and Conditions for environment-specific configuration
- Prefix stack names with environment (e.g., `dev-`, `prod-`) to avoid conflicts
- Encapsulate reusable resources as nested stacks for composability
## Troubleshooting
- **Rollback on create**: Check stack events in CloudFormation console for the specific resource failure
- **Circular dependency**: Refactor with `DependsOn` or split resources across stacks
- **Drift detection**: Run `aws cloudformation detect-stack-drift` to find out-of-band changes
## Keywords
cloudformation, aws, infrastructure as code, cloudformation template, aws iac, nested stacks, cross-stack referencesRelated Skills
vant-vue3
Provides structured guidance for Vant of Vue 3.0. Use when the user needs Vant with Vue 3, asks about mobile UI components such as Button, Cell, Form, Dialog, Toast, Popup, ConfigProvider, theme customization, project setup, or wants to implement mobile-first interfaces with vant or van- components.
layui-vue3
Provides comprehensive guidance for Layui Vue component library including components, layer dialogs, and utilities. Use when the user asks about Layui Vue, needs to use Layui components in Vue 3, or implement UI components.
element-plus-vue3
Provides comprehensive guidance for Element Plus Vue 3 component library including installation, components, themes, internationalization, and API reference. Use when the user asks about Element Plus for Vue 3, needs to build Vue 3 applications with Element Plus, or customize component styles.
bootstrap-vue3
Provides comprehensive guidance for Bootstrap Vue 3 component library including Bootstrap components, grid system, utilities, and Vue 3 integration. Use when the user asks about Bootstrap Vue 3, needs to use Bootstrap components in Vue 3, or implement responsive layouts.
vuex-vue2
Provides comprehensive guidance for Vuex 2.x state management in Vue 2 applications including state, mutations, actions, getters, modules, and plugins. Use when the user asks about Vuex for Vue 2, needs to manage state in Vue 2 applications, or implement Vuex patterns.
vue3
Guidance for Vue 3 using the official guide and API reference. Use when the user needs Vue 3 concepts, patterns, or API details to build components, apps, and tooling.
vue2
Provides comprehensive guidance for Vue 2.x development including Options API, components, directives, lifecycle hooks, computed properties, watchers, Vuex state management, and Vue Router. Use when the user asks about Vue 2, needs to create Vue 2 components, implement reactive data binding, handle component communication, or work with Vue 2 ecosystem tools.
vue-router
Provides comprehensive guidance for Vue Router including route configuration, navigation, dynamic routes, nested routes, route guards, programmatic navigation, and route meta. Use when the user asks about Vue Router, needs to set up routing, implement navigation guards, handle route parameters, or manage route transitions.
vue-router-v4
Provides comprehensive guidance for Vue Router v4 including route configuration, navigation, nested routes, route guards, and Vue 3 integration. Use when the user asks about Vue Router v4, needs to set up routing for Vue 3 applications, implement navigation guards, or work with Vue Router v4 features.
vue-router-v3
Guidance for Vue Router v3 using the official Installation, Guide, and API docs. Use when users need routing setup, navigation patterns, or API details for Vue 2 projects.
pinia
Provides comprehensive guidance for Pinia state management including stores, state, getters, actions, plugins, and TypeScript support. Use when the user asks about Pinia, needs to manage application state, create stores, implement state persistence, or migrate from Vuex.
vscode-project-init
Scaffold a new VS Code extension project using TypeScript via Yeoman generator (yo code), creating src/extension.ts entry point and package.json manifest. Use when the user wants to start a new VS Code extension project from scratch.