awsctx

awsctx is your new best friend for managing AWS profiles. Think of it as the kubectx of AWS, but without the Kubernetes-induced existential crisis. It’s a lightweight Bash/Zsh function that helps you list, switch, and manage AWS profiles like a pro. No more fumbling around with export AWS_PROFILE—let awsctx do the heavy lifting for you.

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Features

• List Profiles: Quickly see all your AWS profiles with a single command.
• Highlight Current Profile: Because knowing where you are is half the battle.
• Switch Profiles: Change AWS profiles with ease. No eval, no drama.
• Color-Coded Output: Because plain text is for amateurs.
• Zero Dependencies: Just Bash or Zsh and the AWS CLI. If you don’t have those, we need to have a serious talk.

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Installation

Step 1: Add the Function to Your Shell Config

Copy the awsctx function below and paste it into your shell configuration file (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc):

# Simple AWS Profile Switcher
function awsctx() {
    # Colors
    local BLUE=$'\033[0;34m'
    local YELLOW=$'\033[1;33m'
    local NC=$'\033[0m'

    # If no arguments, list profiles
    if [ -z "$1" ]; then
        echo "${BLUE}Available profiles:${NC}"
        aws configure list-profiles | nl -w2 -s') '
        echo "${BLUE}Current profile:${NC} ${YELLOW}${AWS_PROFILE:-default}${NC}"
        return
    fi

    # Switch to specified profile
    if aws configure list-profiles | grep -q "^${1}$"; then
        export AWS_PROFILE="$1"
        echo "${BLUE}Switched to profile:${NC} ${YELLOW}${AWS_PROFILE}${NC}"
    else
        echo "${YELLOW}Profile not found: $1${NC}"
        return 1
    fi
}

Step 2: Reload Your Shell Config

After adding the function, reload your shell configuration to make it available in your current session:

source ~/.bashrc  # For Bash users
source ~/.zshrc   # For Zsh users

Step 3: Verify Installation

Run the following command to ensure awsctx is working:

awsctx

If you see a list of your AWS profiles and the current profile highlighted, congratulations—you’re ready to roll.

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Usage

List Profiles

To list all available AWS profiles and highlight the current one, simply run:

awsctx

Example output:

Available profiles:
  1) default
  2) dev
  3) prod
Current profile: dev

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Switch Profiles

To switch to a specific profile, pass the profile name as an argument:

awsctx <profile_name>

Example:

awsctx prod

Output:

Switched to profile: prod

You can verify the current profile by running:

echo $AWS_PROFILE

Output:

prod

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Notes

• AWS CLI Required: This function uses the aws configure list-profiles command, so make sure the AWS CLI is installed and configured on your system.
• Default Profile: If no AWS_PROFILE is set, the default profile is used.
• Shell Compatibility: Works with Bash and Zsh. If you’re using Fish, well, you’re swimming upstream.

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Troubleshooting

Error: "Profile not found"

If you see this error, it means the profile you’re trying to switch to doesn’t exist. Double-check the profile name by running:

awsctx

If the profile is missing, make sure it’s defined in your AWS configuration file (~/.aws/config). You can add it using the AWS CLI:

aws configure --profile <profile_name>

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Uninstallation

Decided you don’t need awsctx anymore? (We’ll miss you.) Here’s how to remove it:

1. Open your shell configuration file (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc):

   nano ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

2. Delete the awsctx function.

3. Reload your shell configuration:

   source ~/.bashrc  # or source ~/.zshrc

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Example Output

Listing Profiles

awsctx

Output:

Available profiles:
  1) default
  2) dev
  3) prod
Current profile: dev

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Switching Profiles

awsctx prod

Output:

Switched to profile: prod

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Final Words

That's much better than installing a new tool, right?