> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create EC2 instance using CLI

> This guide teaches how to launch and inspect EC2 instances using the AWS Command Line Interface.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to launch and inspect EC2 instances using the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI). We’ll cover:

1. Prerequisites
2. Exploring EC2 commands
3. Finding a suitable AMI
4. Launching an instance
5. Inspecting instance details

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  Make sure you have the [AWS CLI](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/getting-started-install.html) installed and configured with valid credentials. Set your default region with `aws configure` or by exporting the `AWS_DEFAULT_REGION` environment variable.
</Callout>

## Table of Contents

| Step                        | Description                                | Sample Command                                 |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| 1. Explore EC2 commands     | View available EC2 operations and options  | `aws ec2 help`                                 |
| 2. Find an AMI              | List AMIs you own or public AMIs by Amazon | `aws ec2 describe-images --owners self amazon` |
| 3. Launch an instance       | Start a new instance with AMI ID and type  | `aws ec2 run-instances …`                      |
| 4. Inspect instance details | Retrieve instance metadata and status      | `aws ec2 describe-instances`                   |

## 1. Exploring EC2 Commands

To discover all EC2 subcommands, options, and examples:

```bash theme={null}
aws ec2 help
```

For details on a specific operation—such as launching instances:

```bash theme={null}
aws ec2 run-instances help
```

These built-in help pages include required parameters, optional flags, and sample usage.

## 2. Finding a Suitable AMI

An Amazon Machine Image (AMI) is required to launch an EC2 instance. To list AMIs you own and public AMIs provided by Amazon:

```bash theme={null}
aws ec2 describe-images --owners self amazon
```

Example JSON output:

```json theme={null}
{
  "Images": [
    {
      "ImageId": "ami-056b35f582f6afbe7",
      "Name": "Cloud9AmazonLinux2-2023-04-04",
      "Architecture": "x86_64",
      "CreationDate": "2023-04-04T18:10:12.000Z",
      "PlatformDetails": "Linux/UNIX",
      "BlockDeviceMappings": [
        {
          "DeviceName": "/dev/xvda",
          "Ebs": {
            "SnapshotId": "snap-0875cc8a125bc63fd",
            "VolumeSize": 10,
            "VolumeType": "gp2"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

Key fields:

| Field               | Description                              |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| ImageId             | AMI identifier (used by `run-instances`) |
| Name                | Human-readable name of the AMI           |
| Architecture        | CPU architecture (e.g., x86\_64, arm64)  |
| PlatformDetails     | OS platform (Linux/UNIX, Windows)        |
| BlockDeviceMappings | Root volume size and type                |

## 3. Launching an EC2 Instance

With your chosen AMI ID, launch a `t2.micro` instance:

```bash theme={null}
aws ec2 run-instances \
  --image-id ami-056b35f582f6afbe7 \
  --instance-type t2.micro \
  --tag-specifications 'ResourceType=instance,Tags=[{Key=Name,Value=MyDemoInstance}]'
```

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  Running EC2 instances incurs AWS charges. Always terminate resources you no longer need:

  ```bash theme={null}
  aws ec2 terminate-instances --instance-ids <your-instance-id>
  ```
</Callout>

Example JSON response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "Instances": [
    {
      "InstanceId": "i-076290d4a72165019",
      "ImageId": "ami-056b35f582f6afbe7",
      "InstanceType": "t2.micro",
      "LaunchTime": "2023-09-13T06:35:11+00:00",
      "Placement": {
        "AvailabilityZone": "ap-southeast-1a"
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## 4. Inspecting Instance Details

To view the full set of metadata, including networking and state:

```bash theme={null}
aws ec2 describe-instances --instance-ids i-076290d4a72165019
```

Partial JSON output:

```json theme={null}
{
  "Reservations": [
    {
      "Instances": [
        {
          "PrivateIpAddress": "172.31.39.161",
          "PublicDnsName": "",
          "State": {
            "Code": 0,
            "Name": "pending"
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

Important fields to track:

| Field            | Description                       |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------- |
| InstanceId       | Unique identifier of the instance |
| PrivateIpAddress | Internal IP within the VPC        |
| PublicDnsName    | Public DNS assigned (if any)      |
| State.Name       | Current state (pending, running)  |
| LaunchTime       | Timestamp of instance launch      |

## Links and References

* [AWS CLI Command Reference: ec2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/index.html)
* [Amazon EC2 User Guide](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/ec2/)
* [AWS Pricing Calculator](https://calculator.aws/#/)

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