This post outlines the steps to obtain credential keys for AWS in order to programmatically access their API services.

Step 1

If you don’t have an AWS account, then first ensure you have one by following this link – https://aws.amazon.com/. You would need to provide details like email address, first and last names along with a payment method in order to verify your identity. During the last step of your registration, you may be asked to choose between three plans—Free, Developer, and Business. Choose whichever is relevant to your needs and proceed.

Like most of the other cloud services providers, AWS also offers free tiers and you can find more about it from this link – https://aws.amazon.com/free/

After, your AWS account’s been created and verified successfully you can proceed toward logging into the AWS console – console.aws.amazon.com. It looks like so –

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From here on, let’s proceed to the next steps. Feel free to also explore the different services you would see enlisted in the AWS Management Console.

Step 2

Now, in order to obtain your AWS access keys, first head over to your AWS IAM Console – https://console.aws.amazon.com/iam. It will look like so –

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Note that you may get a slightly different view. From here, click on My access key. You should then see something like so –

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Click on Create New Access Key. A pop up will appear after you do so –

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Download the key file and store it somewhere safe. You will need it in order to access the AWS API services programmatically. You will also see an entry for this new access key in the dashboard –

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