# AWS Blocks

Guides building full-stack applications with AWS Blocks, an Infrastructure-from-Code...

- Repository: https://github.com/aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws (3366 stars)
- Category: Data and ML
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws --skill aws-blocks -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws --skill aws-blocks -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws --skill aws-blocks -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws --skill aws-blocks -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws`

## Description

Guides building full-stack applications with AWS Blocks, an Infrastructure-from-Code framework. Applies when creating APIs, selecting Building Blocks (KVStore, DistributedTable, Database, AuthBasic, AuthCognito, Realtime, AsyncJob, FileBucket, etc.), running local development, or deploying AWS Blocks applications. Also covers AWS Blocks topics with validated, version-specific patterns that prevent common mistakes. Triggers when user mentions AWS Blocks; project has aws-blocks/ directory; code imports @aws-blocks packages.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# AWS Blocks Application Development

> **Package naming:** All packages are published under the `@aws-blocks` scope (e.g., `@aws-blocks/core`, `@aws-blocks/blocks`, `@aws-blocks/bb-kv-store`).

## Overview

AWS Blocks is an Infrastructure-from-Code framework where Building Blocks bundle CDK, SDK, and local mocks into a single API. It provides 18+ Building Blocks covering storage, authentication, real-time communication, background jobs, file management, AI/search, email, and observability, all working locally without AWS credentials.

**Key characteristics:**

- One `aws-blocks/` directory defines the entire backend
- Frontend imports are fully typed, no client generation needed
- All Building Blocks work locally without AWS (mocks persist to `.bb-data/`)
- Deploy ephemeral, individual testing environments with `npm run sandbox` and long-lived environments with `npm run deploy` using least-privilege credentials

## Scaffolding a New Project

```bash
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app my-app
cd my-app
```

### To add AWS Blocks to an existing project:

```bash
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app .
```

This detects the existing project and adds an `aws-blocks/` workspace alongside your code.

### To add AWS Blocks to an Amplify Gen 2 project:

```bash
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app .
```

When the CLI detects `amplify/backend.ts`, it automatically integrates AWS Blocks with your Amplify backend.

### With a specific template:

```bash
npx @aws-blocks/create-blocks-app my-app --template demo
cd my-app
```

### Available Templates

The rest: https://github.com/aws/agent-toolkit-for-aws/blob/HEAD/plugins/aws-core/skills/aws-blocks/SKILL.md