Preparing your local environment

There are two sets of command-line tools we are going to install, but before we do, we should quickly discuss the steps to sign up for a new AWS account. If you already have an AWS account, then you can skip this task and move straight on to the Installing the AWS command-line interface section.

Signing up for an AWS account

Signing up for an AWS account is a straightforward process, as detailed here:

1. Head over to https://aws.amazon.com/ and then click on the Create an AWS account button, which can be found in the top right of the page.

   Important note

   While Amazon offers a free tier for new users, it is limited to certain services, instance sizing, and also for 12 months. For information on the AWS Free Tier, see https://aws.amazon.com/free/.

2. Fill out the initial form that asks for an email address, your preferred password, and the AWS account name.
3. Once done, click on Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. These will involve...