How to use the command 'pulumi' (with examples)
Pulumi is an open-source infrastructure as code tool that allows users to manage and deploy cloud infrastructure across popular cloud service providers like AWS, Azure, GCP, and many others using familiar programming languages like TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Go, and .NET. With Pulumi, you can define your infrastructure as source code, manage the entire infrastructure lifecycle, and simplify operations through automation and enhanced collaboration. Below, we will delve into various use cases with practical examples of how Pulumi can be utilized effectively.
Create a new project using a template:
Code:
pulumi new
Motivation:
The pulumi new command is essential for initializing a new Pulumi project. It is akin to launching a new software development project, where you start with a specific architecture or language setup. This command streamlines the setup process by offering predefined templates, thereby allowing beginners to get a head start in exploring infrastructure coding and seasoned developers to jump-start their configurations with proven patterns.
Explanation:
new: This keyword signifies the intention to create a fresh Pulumi project. When executed, it provides a list of available project templates to choose from, ensuring you can easily scaffold your project environment based on your needs, such as a cloud provider or programming language.
Example Output:
Upon running pulumi new, users are guided interactively through selecting a template, naming their project, and inputting additional required configuration parameters. A typical output may prompt you with:
Please choose a template:
- aws-typescript
- azure-python
- gcp-go
Choose a template (aws-typescript):
Create a new stack using an isolated deployment target:
Code:
pulumi stack init
Motivation:
Stacks in Pulumi represent separate deployments of the same code, catering to different environments like development, staging, and production. Using pulumi stack init, developers can manage these environments independently, which is crucial for testing changes in an isolated environment before pushing them to production. This approach ensures that errant configurations or code do not inadvertently affect live systems.
Explanation:
stack: This keyword indicates the intention to work with stacks—a means to associate configuration and state independently of other instances.init: Short for initialize, this initializes a new stack as an isolated deployment target, setting up all necessary configurations.
Example Output:
Upon running this command, a user may see:
Created stack 'dev'
This output indicates the creation of a new stack named ‘dev’, which can now be independently configured and deployed.
Configure variables (e.g., keys, regions, etc.) interactively:
Code:
pulumi config
Motivation:
The pulumi config command is crucial for managing project-specific configuration settings, such as API keys, region specifications, or resource identifiers. Proper configuration ensures that projects are interpreted correctly depending on the context and underlying environment, drastically reducing runtime errors related to misconfiguration.
Explanation:
config: The keyword config initiates the configuration management context, allowing users to set or modify configurations needed by the deployed infrastructure. It promotes interactivity by prompting users for values without requiring them to edit configuration files manually.
Example Output:
Executing pulumi config will lead to:
Enter your value for aws:region:
This output prompts users to enter configuration values interactively, ensuring correct parameterization for the deployment environment.
Preview and deploy changes to a program and/or infrastructure:
Code:
pulumi up
Motivation:
The pulumi up command is the core action in Pulumi, responsible for deploying or updating your infrastructure. During software development and infrastructure management, ensuring your changes are accurate and without side effects is a challenging task. Pulumi tackles this by offering a preview of the changes, allowing developers to confirm anticipated outcomes before any action is taken on the cloud service.
Explanation:
up: This command is a shorthand for the process of rolling out changes (either creating new cloud resources or modifying existing ones) defined in your Pulumi program. It integrates pre-deployment checks, allowing users to visualize updates before applying them.
Example Output:
Running pulumi up can result in detailed execution plans, such as:
Previewing update (dev):
Type Name Plan
+ pulumi:pulumi:Stack my-project-dev create
+ ├─ aws:s3:Bucket mybucket create
Resources:
+ 2 to create
This output shows a preview, highlighting what will change upon confirmation, notwithstanding user input to proceed.
Preview deployment changes without performing them (dry-run):
Code:
pulumi preview
Motivation:
Utilizing the pulumi preview command is especially beneficial when you need to assess the impact of proposed changes without executing them. It facilitates a dry-run modality, akin to running simulations in software testing before live rollouts. This feature enhances operations by affording insights into upcoming infrastructure modifications, permitting preemptive adjustments where necessary.
Explanation:
preview: This term instructs Pulumi to simulate deployment changes, displaying prospective updates to developers without making any real modifications to the cloud infrastructure.
Example Output:
Executing pulumi preview renders an output such as:
Previewing update (dev):
Type Name Plan
+ aws:s3:Bucket mybucket create
Resources:
+ 1 to create
This preview informs developers of new resources that would be instantiated upon deployment without actual changes being applied.
Destroy a program and its infrastructure:
Code:
pulumi destroy
Motivation:
Infrastructure teardown is sometimes as necessary as its creation, especially when retiring environments post-project completion. pulumi destroy simplifies this by ensuring clean removal of all resources, mitigating costs by eliminating unneeded services and preserving environment hygiene by clearing stale configurations.
Explanation:
destroy: This operative keyword directs Pulumi to remove all resources instantiated by the Pulumi configuration, leaving no artifacts behind.
Example Output:
Destroying (dev):
Type Name Status
- aws:s3:Bucket mybucket deleted
Resources:
- 1 to delete
This output signifies a successful removal, reassuring developers of complete resource teardown.
Use Pulumi locally, independent of a Pulumi Cloud:
Code:
pulumi login -l
Motivation:
Users seeking to maintain complete autonomy and privacy over their Pulumi state files may prefer local usage modes. The pulumi login -l command facilitates this by bypassing the default Pulumi Cloud and keeping operations confined to the local environment, which is critical for compliance with data sovereignty policies or operational independence requirements.
Explanation:
login: Initiating the login sequence.-lor--local: Flags indicating to log in using the local backend, thus enabling local state storage and management.
Example Output:
Executing this command might yield:
Logged in to Pulumi locally using /home/user/.pulumi
This confirmation provides assurance of operating within a local setup.
Conclusion:
The above examples encapsulate the versatility of the pulumi command, showcasing its profound capabilities in managing cloud infrastructure through code. From project initialization to deployment and destruction, Pulumi empowers developers with streamlined workflows, fostering operational efficiency and infrastructure management agility. These commands not only harmonize development and operations but also enhance collaborative team projects across diverse cloud environments.
