Overview
To allow Cloudlvl to manage your AWS infrastructure, you need to provide secure access to your AWS account. There are two recommended methods:IAM Roles (Recommended): More secure with temporary credentials and fine-grained permissions, but requires more setup steps.IAM User: Simpler to set up with permanent access keys, but less secure for production environments.
Method 1: IAM Roles (Recommended)
IAM roles provide enhanced security by using temporary credentials and can be configured with precise permissions. This is the recommended approach for production environments.Step 1: Use External ID
- Copy the generated External ID (this unique identifier ensures only Cloudlvl can assume your role)
Step 2: Create IAM Role in AWS Console
- Go to the AWS IAM Console
- Click “Create role”
- Select “AWS account” as the trusted entity type
- Check “Require external ID” option
- Paste the External ID from Step 1 and click “Next”
Step 3: Configure Permissions
- Select the permissions that Cloudlvl will need for your use case:
- For full infrastructure management:
PowerUserAccessorAdministratorAccess - For specific services: Choose relevant AWS managed policies (EC2, Lambda, S3, etc.)
- For full infrastructure management:
- Click “Next”
Step 4: Finalize Role Creation
- Enter a Role name (e.g., “CloudlvlAIRole”)
- Add a Description (e.g., “Role for Cloudlvl to manage AWS infrastructure”)
- Click “Create role”
Step 5: Update Trust Policy
- Find your newly created role in the roles list and click on it
- Go to the “Trust relationships” tab
- Return to the Cloudlvl and copy the trust policy from the setup form
- Back in AWS Console, click “Edit trust policy”
- Replace the existing policy with the one from Cloudlvl
- Click “Update policy”
Step 6: Complete Setup in Cloudlvl
- Return to the Cloudlvl form
- Enter your Role ARN (found in the role summary)
- Click “Submit” to validate and complete the setup
Your IAM role is now configured! Cloudlvl can securely assume this role to
manage your AWS resources.
Method 2: IAM User
IAM users provide direct access through access keys. This method is simpler but less secure than IAM roles.Access keys provide permanent access to your AWS account. Store them securely
and rotate them regularly.
Option A: Use Existing Access Keys
If you already have AWS access keys configured:- Use your existing Access Key ID and Secret Access Key
- Ensure the associated user has the necessary permissions for Cloudlvl operations
- Enter the credentials in the Cloudlvl setup form
Option B: Create New IAM User
Step 1: Create IAM User
- Go to the AWS IAM Console
- Click “Create user”
- Enter a username (e.g., “cloudlvl-ai-user”)
- Select “Programmatic access”
- Click “Next”
Step 2: Set Permissions
- Choose how to assign permissions:
- Attach policies directly: Select AWS managed policies
- Add user to group: Create or use existing groups with appropriate policies
- For full infrastructure management, consider:
PowerUserAccess(recommended for most use cases)AdministratorAccess(full access, use with caution)
- Click “Next” through the remaining steps
- Click “Create user”
Step 3: Generate Access Keys
- Click on your newly created user from the users list
- Go to the “Security credentials” tab
- Click “Create access key”
- Select “Command Line Interface (CLI)” as the use case
- Check the confirmation checkbox acknowledging the security best practices
- Click “Next” and then “Create access key”
Step 4: Copy Credentials
- Copy both the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key
- Store them securely (you won’t be able to see the secret key again)
Step 5: Configure in Cloudlvl
- Return to the Cloudlvl app setup form
- Enter your Access Key ID and Secret Access Key
- Click “Submit” to validate and complete the setup
Your IAM user is now configured! Cloudlvl can use these credentials to manage
your AWS resources.
Next Steps
Once you’ve completed either setup method:- Start with simple commands - Try basic operations like listing resources
- Explore AI capabilities - Begin using natural language to manage your infrastructure
Need help with permissions ?
Continue with the Permissions Management guide