---
title: "AWS Cloud9 Setup (Recommended)"
weight: 200
---

_Setup Duration: ~10 minutes_

## Overview

[AWS Cloud9](https://aws.amazon.com/cloud9/) is a cloud-based IDE that lets you write, run, and debug your code with
just a browser. It includes a code editor, debugger, and terminal. Since your Cloud9 IDE is cloud-based, you can run labs
from your office, home, or anywhere using an internet-connected machine.

For the best experience and minimal setup effort, we recommend using it to run this workshop because it
comes with the necessary set of tools pre-installed. If you prefer to work locally, follow the
[Local Development Setup](/prerequisites/local-development) instead.

:::alert{type="info"}
We recommend using **us-east-1 (N. Virginia)** as the _AWS Region_ for the workshop.
:::

## Create a Cloud9 instance from AWS Console

1. Create a Cloud9 instance from the **AWS Console** by following the steps from the [Creating an EC2 Environment](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloud9/latest/user-guide/create-environment-main.html) guide.
1. Once created, your instance should be listed on the AWS Cloud9 [Environments](https://console.aws.amazon.com/cloud9/home) page. Choose **Open** if not already.
1. You will see a terminal area at the bottom where you will run the commands as you progress through the workshop. In the main work area you will open and edit code and template files.

:::alert{type="info"}
If you have issues using the Cloud9 environment, please see the [Troubleshooting AWS Cloud9](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloud9/latest/user-guide/troubleshooting.html) page in the user guide.
:::

### Clone lab resources using `git`
Clone the repository to your working directory. In the Cloud9 terminal run:

:::code{language=shell showLineNumbers=false showCopyAction=true}
git clone https://github.com/aws-samples/cfn101-workshop
:::

### Install the latest version of AWS CLI

Cloud9 Instance comes pre-installed with [AWS CLI version 1](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/v1/userguide/install-linux-al2017.html). For the workshop we require to use [AWS CLI version 2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/getting-started-install.html).
To make the [migration](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cliv2-migration-instructions.html) from version 1 to version 2 easier, you can use the script provided.

The script will:
* Check for system architecture to download correct bundle.
* Check if the AWS CLI version 1 is installed, and if yes removes it.
* Installs AWS CLI version 2.
* Cleans up installation files.

1. In the **Cloud9 terminal** navigate to `cfn101-workshop/code/solutions/cloud9`:
:::code{language=shell showLineNumbers=false showCopyAction=true}
cd cfn101-workshop/code/solutions/cloud9
:::
1. Make the script executable:
:::code{language=shell showLineNumbers=false showCopyAction=true}
chmod +x awscliv2.sh
:::
1. Run the script:
:::code{language=shell showLineNumbers=false showCopyAction=true}
source awscliv2.sh
:::
1. Check that the installation was successful, and you have the latest version of AWS CLI:
:::code{language=shell showLineNumbers=false showCopyAction=true}
aws --version
:::

### Open workshop files
The templates and code you will work on is located in the **code** folder.
Expand the tree on the left to open the **code** folder:

![toggletree-png](/static/prerequisites/cloud9/toggletree.png)

---

Congratulations, your workshop development environment is now ready to use!