Getting Started with AWS CodeCommit: Setting Up Your First Repository

In the world of software development and collaborative coding, having a reliable version control system is essential. AWS CodeCommit is Amazon’s managed source control service that allows you to securely store and manage your Git repositories. In this article, we’ll take you through the process of setting up your first repository on AWS CodeCommit, and we’ll walk you through the steps required to clone, modify, and push code changes to your repository.

Introduction to AWS CodeCommit

AWS CodeCommit provides a secure and scalable platform for hosting private Git repositories. It offers features such as secure access control, automatic backups, and seamless integration with other AWS services. Here’s how you can set up and use AWS CodeCommit for your projects:

Hands-On: Setting Up AWS CodeCommit

Step 1: Sign into AWS Console

1. Open your web browser and navigate to the AWS Management Console at aws.amazon.com.
2. Sign in to your AWS account using your IAM user credentials.

Step 2: Access AWS CodeCommit Service Page

1. Once logged in, use the search bar at the top to find “CodeCommit.”
2. Click on the first search result, which should be “AWS CodeCommit.”

Step 3: Resolve Access Denied Error

If you encounter an “Access Denied” error while accessing CodeCommit, it might be due to insufficient permissions. Here’s how to resolve it:

1. Sign out of the current IAM user account.
2. Sign back in, this time using the root user account.
3. In the Identity and Access Management (IAM) dashboard, locate the user experiencing the error.
4. Under “Permissions,” click on “Add permissions.”
5. Attach a policy that grants “full access” to CodeCommit for the user.
6. Review the information and add the permissions.
7. Sign out from the root user account.

Step 4: Create Your First Repository

1. Sign in again using your IAM user account.
2. Return to the AWS CodeCommit service page.
3. Click the “Create repository” button.
4. Provide a unique repository name, a brief description, and optional tags.
5. Click “Create.”

Step 5: Clone the Repository Locally

1. After creating the repository, you’ll see options for HTTPS and SSH access.
2. Click the “Clone URL” to copy the HTTPS repository URL.
3. Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to the directory where you want to clone the repository.
4. Run the command: git clone <repository_url>
5. If prompted, provide your IAM user credentials.

Step 6: Make Changes and Push to Repository

1. In the cloned repository folder, add your project files or code.
2. Use Git commands to stage and commit your changes:
   • git add .
   • git commit -m "Your commit message"
3. Push your changes to the remote repository:
   • git push origin master
4. Enter your credentials if prompted.

Step 7: Verify Changes

1. Go back to the AWS CodeCommit console.
2. Open your repository to see the changes you pushed.
3. You should see the files you added and the commit message you provided.

Step 8: Simulate Access from Another Computer

1. On your local machine, delete the cloned repository directory.
2. Re-clone the repository using the same HTTPS URL as before.
3. Verify that the changes you made earlier are still present in the newly cloned repository.

Conclusion

AWS CodeCommit is a robust solution for managing your Git repositories securely within the AWS ecosystem. In this hands-on guide, you’ve learned how to set up your first repository, clone it to your local machine, make changes, and push those changes back to the repository. Additionally, you’ve simulated accessing the repository from a different computer, demonstrating the persistence of your committed changes.

With AWS CodeCommit, you can collaborate seamlessly with team members, manage your source code efficiently, and ensure the security of your project’s codebase. As you continue to work with CodeCommit, you’ll find it to be an invaluable tool for maintaining version control and enabling efficient software development workflows.