AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) expert for building cloud infrastructure with TypeScript/Python. Use when creating CDK stacks, defining CDK constructs, implementing infrastructure as code, or when the user mentions CDK, CloudFormation, IaC, cdk synth, cdk deploy, or wants to
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AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) expert for building cloud infrastructure with TypeScript/Python. Use when creating CDK stacks, defining CDK constructs, implementing infrastructure as code, or when the user mentions CDK, CloudFormation, IaC, cdk synth, cdk deploy, or wants to
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</> SKILL.md
aws-cdk-development.SKILL.md
---name: aws-cdk-development
description: AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) expert for building cloud infrastructure with TypeScript/Python. Use when creating CDK stacks, defining CDK constructs, implementing infrastructure as code, or when the user mentions CDK, CloudFormation, IaC, cdk synth, cdk deploy, or wants to define AWS...
risk: unknown
source: https://github.com/zxkane/aws-skills/tree/main/plugins/aws-iac/skills/aws-cdk-development
source_repo: zxkane/aws-skills
source_type: community
date_added: 2026-07-01
license: MIT
license_source: https://github.com/zxkane/aws-skills/blob/main/LICENSE
---# AWS CDK Development
This skill provides comprehensive guidance for developing AWS infrastructure using the Cloud Development Kit (CDK), with integrated MCP servers for accessing latest AWS knowledge and CDK utilities.
## AWS Documentation Requirement
Always verify AWS facts using MCP tools (`mcp__aws-mcp__*` or `mcp__*awsdocs*__*`) before answering. The `aws-mcp-setup` dependency is auto-loaded — if MCP tools are unavailable, guide the user through that skill's setup flow.
## CDK-Specific MCP Guidance
AWS Labs replaced the dedicated CDK MCP server (`awslabs.cdk-mcp-server`) with the broader `awslabs.aws-iac-mcp-server`, which covers CDK alongside CloudFormation and other AWS infrastructure-as-code workflows.
For CDK construct lookups, best-practice recommendations, and pattern guidance, install `awslabs.aws-iac-mcp-server`. It ships in the `deploy-on-aws` plugin from `awslabs/agent-plugins`, or can be registered directly with `claude mcp add aws-iac uvx awslabs.aws-iac-mcp-server@latest`.
**When to reach for it**:
- CDK construct recommendations and API lookups
- CDK and CloudFormation best-practice patterns
- Validation of synthesized templates
- Cross-resource configuration guidance
## When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when:
- Creating new CDK stacks or constructs
- Refactoring existing CDK infrastructure
- Implementing Lambda functions within CDK
- Following AWS CDK best practices
- Validating CDK stack configurations before deployment
- Verifying AWS service capabilities and regional availability
## Core CDK Principles
### Resource Naming
**CRITICAL**: Do NOT explicitly specify resource names when they are optional in CDK constructs.
**Why**: CDK-generated names enable:
- **Reusable patterns**: Deploy the same construct/pattern multiple times without conflicts
- **Parallel deployments**: Multiple stacks can deploy simultaneously in the same region
- **Cleaner shared logic**: Patterns and shared code can be initialized multiple times without name collision
- **Stack isolation**: Each stack gets uniquely identified resources automatically
**Pattern**: Let CDK generate unique names automatically using CloudFormation's naming mechanism.
```typescript
// ❌ BAD - Explicit naming prevents reusability and parallel deployments
new lambda.Function(this, 'MyFunction', {
functionName: 'my-lambda', // Avoid this
// ...
});
// ✅ GOOD - Let CDK generate unique names
new lambda.Function(this, 'MyFunction', {
// No functionName specified - CDK generates: StackName-MyFunctionXXXXXX
// ...
});
```
**Security Note**: For different environments (dev, staging, prod), follow AWS Security Pillar best practices by using separate AWS accounts rather than relying on resource naming within a single account. Account-level isolation provides stronger security boundaries.
### Lambda Function Development
Use the appropriate Lambda construct based on runtime:
**TypeScript/JavaScript**: Use `@aws-cdk/aws-lambda-nodejs`
```typescript
import { NodejsFunction } from 'aws-cdk-lib/aws-lambda-nodejs';
new NodejsFunction(this, 'MyFunction', {
entry: 'lambda/handler.ts',
handler: 'handler',
// Automatically handles bundling, dependencies, and transpilation
});
```
**Python**: Use `@aws-cdk/aws-lambda-python`
```typescript
import { PythonFunction } from '@aws-cdk/aws-lambda-python-alpha';
new PythonFunction(this, 'MyFunction', {
entry: 'lambda',
index: 'handler.py',
handler: 'handler',
// Automatically handles dependencies and packaging
});
```
**Benefits**:
- Automatic bundling and dependency management
- Transpilation handled automatically
- No manual packaging required
- Consistent deployment patterns
### Pre-Deployment Validation
Use a **multi-layer validation strategy** for comprehensive CDK quality checks:
#### Layer 1: Real-Time IDE Feedback (Recommended)
**For TypeScript/JavaScript projects**:
Install [cdk-nag](https://github.com/cdklabs/cdk-nag) for synthesis-time validation:
```bash
npm install --save-dev cdk-nag
```
Add to your CDK app:
```typescript
import { Aspects } from 'aws-cdk-lib';
import { AwsSolutionsChecks } from 'cdk-nag';
const app = new App();
Aspects.of(app).add(new AwsSolutionsChecks());
```
**Optional - VS Code users**: Install [CDK NAG Validator extension](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=alphacrack.cdk-nag-validator) for faster feedback on file save.
**For Python/Java/C#/Go projects**: cdk-nag is available in all CDK languages and provides the same synthesis-time validation.
- **AWS Documentation MCP**: Integrated for latest AWS information
- **CDK MCP Server**: Integrated for CDK-specific guidance
## GitHub Actions Integration
When GitHub Actions workflow files exist in the repository, ensure all checks defined in `.github/workflows/` pass before committing. This prevents CI/CD failures and maintains code quality standards.
## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream source and local project context.
- Verify commands, generated code, dependencies, credentials, and external service behavior before applying changes.
- Do not treat examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.
