---
id: awscli-local
version: "0.22.2"
license: Apache License 2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# awscli-local — Thin wrapper around the "aws" command line interface for use with LocalStack

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 1.3M/mo

## What it is and what it does

awscli-local is a command-line wrapper that intercepts AWS CLI calls and redirects them to a LocalStack instance running locally, typically on localhost:4566. Instead of typing `aws --endpoint-url=http://localhost:4566 kinesis list-streams`, you simply run `awslocal kinesis list-streams` with the same syntax as the standard AWS CLI. The wrapper handles endpoint URL injection, placeholder credentials, and region defaults automatically, and includes patches for AWS CLI quirks like CloudFormation's `package` command, which normally cannot specify an S3 endpoint.

The package depends only on localstack-client and is designed for developers testing AWS-dependent code locally without hitting real AWS services. It supports shell command completion and respects environment variables like AWS_ENDPOINT_URL, LOCALSTACK_HOST, and USE_SSL for configuration. The wrapper works with AWS CLI v1 out of the box; v2 support is documented as technically possible but not officially packaged.

Use it for:

- Local development and testing of AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, and other services without incurring AWS costs or hitting real infrastructure.
- Integration testing in CI/CD pipelines where you spin up LocalStack in a container and run awslocal commands against it.
- CloudFormation template development and testing locally before deploying to production AWS accounts.
- Rapid prototyping of serverless applications with immediate feedback without AWS account setup overhead.
- Teaching or demonstrating AWS CLI workflows in isolated environments without risk of accidental production changes.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides the `awslocal` command, a thin wrapper around the AWS CLI that automatically routes requests to a LocalStack endpoint instead of AWS.

Yes, if you are actively developing or testing AWS-dependent code locally with LocalStack. The low install friction, permissive license, and straightforward command-line interface make it a practical choice. However, note that maintenance is aging (372 days since last release) and AWS CLI v2 support remains unofficial; if you rely on v2 features or need active maintenance, verify compatibility first or consider the documented bash alias alternative.

## Install

pip install awscli-local
uv add awscli-local
poetry add awscli-local

## Installing awscli-local

Before you install: Low install friction with a single runtime dependency (localstack-client). Maintenance status is aging—last release was 372 days ago, though the repository remains active with recent commits and moderate community engagement (1299 stars).

License in practice: Released under Apache License 2.0 (permissive), imposing no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in proprietary or open-source projects.

Quickstart:

pip install awscli-local

# Then use awslocal exactly like aws:
awslocal kinesis list-streams
# Instead of: aws --endpoint-url=http://localhost:4566 kinesis list-streams

Requires LocalStack running on localhost:4566 (or configured via AWS_ENDPOINT_URL environment variable); AWS CLI v1 is recommended for full compatibility.

Verify before relying:

- Whether AWS CLI v2 support has been added since the last release (v0.22.2 notes indicate it was not officially supported).
- Current compatibility with Python 2.x versions listed in classifiers, given the package's age and Python 2 end-of-life.

## Package facts

- License: Apache License 2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 1.3M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

localstack aws cli wrapper, awslocal command, local aws testing, aws cli local endpoint, localstack development tool, mock aws services locally, aws cli localhost, localstack, aws-development, local-testing

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/awscli-local) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/awscli-local/)