Skip to main content

AWS CLI CloudFormation Cheat Sheet 2026

2 min read

AWS CLI — CloudFormation Cheat Sheet 2026

AWS CLI CloudFormation Cheat Sheet is the complete quick-reference of AWS CLI CloudFormation commands grouped by function. Copy any command with one click and find what you need with Ctrl+F in under 3 seconds.

CloudFormation

Action Command Useful flags
Create a stack from a template file 
aws cloudformation create-stack --stack-name <stack-name> --region <region> --template-body <file://path/to/file.yml> --profile <profile>
 --stack-name --region --template-body --profile
Delete a stack 
aws cloudformation delete-stack --stack-name <stack-name> --profile <profile>
 --stack-name --profile
List all stacks 
aws cloudformation list-stacks --profile <profile>
 --profile
List all running stacks 
aws cloudformation list-stacks --stack-status-filter CREATE_COMPLETE --profile <profile>
 --stack-status-filter --profile
Check the status of a stack 
aws cloudformation describe-stacks --stack-name <stack-id> --profile <profile>
 --stack-name --profile
Initiate drift detection for a stack 
aws cloudformation detect-stack-drift --stack-name <stack-id> --profile <profile>
 --stack-name --profile
Check the drift status output of a stack using `StackDriftDetectionId` from the 
aws cloudformation describe-stack-resource-drifts --stack-name <stack-drift-detection-id> --profile <profile>
 --stack-name --profile

⚠️ Dangerous / Destructive Commands

These commands are irreversible. Verify your environment (dev/staging vs prod) before running them.

Action Command Warning
⚠️ Cloudformation delete-stack 
aws cloudformation delete-stack --stack-name <stack-name> --profile <profile>
 Irreversible — verify the target before running

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CloudFormation and the other groups?

Each group in this AWS CLI cheat sheet covers a distinct area. CloudFormation focuses on its specific scope, while the other groups and the remaining groups cover networking, storage, security and diagnostics respectively.

How do I check the installed AWS CLI version?

Run the version command (usually aws version or aws --version). The output shows the client and, when applicable, the server version.

Why does AWS CLI return ‘permission denied’?

A ‘permission denied’ error in AWS CLI usually means the current user lacks sufficient privileges or credentials are not configured. Check: (1) assigned IAM/RBAC roles, (2) an active authentication context via the corresponding login command.

How do I filter AWS CLI output by status or name?

Use flags such as --filter, --selector or --query depending on the tool. You can also pipe into grep or jq to process JSON: 

aws list | grep RUNNING

What is the fastest way to debug a AWS CLI error?

Add the verbose flag (--verbose, -v or --debug) to the failing command. This reveals the underlying HTTP/API calls and the full error response body.

Official sources & references

Commands cross-checked against vendor documentation and high-authority repositories: