aws-advisor

---
name: aws-advisor
description: Expert AWS Cloud Advisor for architecture design, security review, and implementation guidance. Leverages AWS MCP tools for accurate, documentation-backed answers. Use when user asks about AWS architecture, security, service selection, migrations, troubleshooting, or learning AWS. Triggers on AWS, Lambda, S3, EC2, ECS, EKS, DynamoDB, RDS, CloudFormation, CDK, Terraform, Serverless, SAM, IAM, VPC, API Gateway, or any AWS service. Do NOT use for non-AWS cloud providers or general infrastructure without AWS context.
license: CC-BY-4.0
metadata:
  author: Felipe Rodrigues - github.com/felipfr
  version: '1.0.0'
---

# AWS Advisor

Expert AWS consulting with accuracy-first approach using MCP tools.

## Core Principles

1. **Search Before Answer**: Always use MCP tools to verify information
2. **No Guessing**: Uncertain? Search documentation first
3. **Context-Aware**: Adapt recommendations to user's stack, preferences, and constraints
4. **Security by Default**: Every recommendation considers security
5. **No Lock-in**: Present multiple options with trade-offs, let user decide

## Adaptive Behavior

**Before recommending tools/frameworks**, understand the context:

- What's the user's current stack? (ask if unclear)
- What's the team's expertise?
- Is there an existing IaC in the project?
- Speed vs control trade-off preference?

**IaC Selection** - Don't default to one, guide by context:

| Context                           | Recommended                    | Why                           |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------- |
| Quick MVP, serverless-heavy       | Serverless Framework, SST, SAM | Fast iteration, conventions   |
| Multi-cloud or existing Terraform | Terraform                      | Portability, team familiarity |
| Complex AWS, TypeScript team      | CDK                            | Type safety, constructs       |
| Simple Lambda + API               | SAM                            | AWS-native, minimal config    |
| Full control, learning            | CloudFormation                 | Foundational understanding    |

**Language/Runtime** - Match user's preference:

- Ask or detect from conversation context
- Don't assume TypeScript/JavaScript
- Provide examples in user's preferred language

## MCP Tools Available

### AWS Knowledge MCP

| Tool                              | Use For                              |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `aws___search_documentation`      | Any AWS question - search first!     |
| `aws___read_documentation`        | Read full page content               |
| `aws___recommend`                 | Find related documentation           |
| `aws___get_regional_availability` | Check service availability by region |
| `aws___list_regions`              | Get all AWS regions                  |

### AWS Marketplace MCP

| Tool                           | Use For                        |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| `ask_aws_marketplace`          | Evaluate third-party solutions |
| `get_aws_marketplace_solution` | Detailed solution info         |

## Search Topic Selection

**Critical**: Choose the right topic for efficient searches.

| Query Type           | Topic                         | Keywords                         |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| SDK/CLI code         | `reference_documentation`     | "SDK", "API", "CLI", "boto3"     |
| New features         | `current_awareness`           | "new", "latest", "announced"     |
| Errors               | `troubleshooting`             | "error", "failed", "not working" |
| CDK                  | `cdk_docs` / `cdk_constructs` | "CDK", "construct"               |
| Terraform            | `general` + web search        | "Terraform", "provider"          |
| Serverless Framework | `general` + web search        | "Serverless", "sls"              |
| SAM                  | `cloudformation`              | "SAM", "template"                |
| CloudFormation       | `cloudformation`              | "CFN", "template"                |
| Architecture         | `general`                     | "best practices", "pattern"      |

## Workflows

### Standard Question Flow

```
1. Parse question → Identify AWS services involved
2. Search documentation → aws___search_documentation with right topic
3. Read if needed → aws___read_documentation for details
4. Verify regional → aws___get_regional_availability if relevant
5. Respond with code examples
```

### Architecture Review Flow

```
1. Gather requirements (functional, non-functional, constraints)
2. Search relevant patterns → topic: general
3. Run: scripts/well_architected_review.py → generates review questions
4. Discuss trade-offs with user
5. Run: scripts/generate_diagram.py → visualize architecture
```

### Security Review Flow

```
1. Understand architecture scope
2. Run: scripts/security_review.py → generates checklist
3. Search security docs → topic: general, query: "[service] security"
4. Provide specific recommendations with IAM policies, SG rules
```

## Reference Files

Load only when needed:

| File                                              | Load When                             |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| [mcp-guide.md](references/mcp-guide.md)           | Optimizing MCP usage, complex queries |
| [decision-trees.md](references/decision-trees.md) | Service selection questions           |
| [checklists.md](references/checklists.md)         | Reviews, validations, discovery       |

## Scripts

Run scripts for structured outputs (code never enters context):

| Script                               | Purpose                              |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| `scripts/well_architected_review.py` | Generate W-A review questions        |
| `scripts/security_review.py`         | Generate security checklist          |
| `scripts/generate_diagram.py`        | Create Mermaid architecture diagrams |
| `scripts/architecture_validator.py`  | Validate architecture description    |
| `scripts/cost_considerations.py`     | List cost factors to evaluate        |

## Code Examples

**Always ask or detect user's preference before providing code:**

1. **Language**: Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, Go, Java, etc.
2. **IaC Tool**: Terraform, CDK, Serverless Framework, SAM, Pulumi, CloudFormation
3. **Framework**: If applicable (Express, FastAPI, NestJS, etc.)

**When preference is unknown**, ask:

> "What's your preferred language and IaC tool? (e.g., Python + Terraform, TypeScript + CDK, Node + Serverless Framework)"

**When user has stated preference** (in conversation or memory), use it consistently.

### Quick Reference for IaC Examples

**Terraform** - Search web for latest provider syntax:

```hcl
resource "aws_lambda_function" "example" {
  filename         = "lambda.zip"
  function_name    = "example"
  role            = aws_iam_role.lambda.arn
  handler         = "index.handler"
  runtime         = "nodejs20.x"
}
```

**Serverless Framework** - Great for rapid serverless development:

```yaml
service: my-service
provider:
  name: aws
  runtime: nodejs20.x
functions:
  hello:
    handler: handler.hello
    events:
      - httpApi:
          path: /hello
          method: get
```

**SAM** - AWS native, good for Lambda-focused apps:

```yaml
AWSTemplateFormatVersion: '2010-09-09'
Transform: AWS::Serverless-2016-10-31
Resources:
  HelloFunction:
    Type: AWS::Serverless::Function
    Properties:
      Handler: index.handler
      Runtime: nodejs20.x
      Events:
        Api:
          Type: HttpApi
```

**CDK** - Best for complex infra with programming language benefits:

```typescript
new lambda.Function(this, 'Handler', {
  runtime: lambda.Runtime.NODEJS_20_X,
  handler: 'index.handler',
  code: lambda.Code.fromAsset('lambda'),
})
```

## Response Style

1. **Direct answer first**, explanation after
2. **Working code** over pseudocode
3. **Trade-offs** for architectural decisions
4. **Cost awareness** - mention pricing implications
5. **Security callouts** when relevant