Backend: Mimic Backend in LocalStack/AWS Local

[Bambaclad1]

The plan is to mimic the entire AWS Backend on your machine. This makes testing locally easier. A Docker container will be made, and you can use it as test backend + database. This would replicate all AWS resources e.g. DynamoDB, Lambda, S3, AWS Cognito and more.

How does it work?

• LocalStack allows you to develop AWS applications locally.
• With use of AWSLocal, we can mimic the architecture into LocalStack
• Docker will be used, for managing "Sandbox Environment". We are not using the LocalStack CLI, because that doesn't give an Docker compose, and starting manually tends to be faster.
• A Powershell script is made which mimics the AWS Resources.

What are the benefits?

• Easier local testing
• Faster development, no deploying is done thus no wait-time for deploying resources.
• Isolates from production. Any changes local will not affect the database, only locally.
• Cost efficient. Everything will run local, so no AWS Cloud services are used.
• Complete control over resources. You can tweak, modify anything without affecting production.

What has to be added?

• AppSync
• Lambda
• Amplify - pull Domits APP Id in AWSLocal? Not implemented yet, base setup is though.
• API Gateway base mimicking exists, have to look at what to add in it. -
• DynamoDB
• Route 53
• S3 Buckets
• Cognito
• IAM
• CloudWatch
• Next.js? (No idea where this is being used.)

What are the requirements?

• Localstack Web Application account & Activating your Hobby License (for now) on LocalStack, and input the Auth Token in the Compose. Looking to find a user friendly way of asking the user for this.
• Docker installed, up and running
• Python 3.11+ and pip
• AWS CLI & awslocal (pip packages)
• PowerShell 7+

The process will be automated, while also keeping clean code in mind. While this is my first time working with Powershell, one of the goals which i want to achieve with this script is to automate the process of installing Powershell 7.x, Python 3.11, pip, and the docker.

As of 2-4-2025, you can download it and use the script for yourself. Feel free to extend on it, and send it as comment. As of now, this is a slightly lower priority due to the main priority being the CRS.
Localstack Script