How to Use the Command 'pulumi login' (with Examples)

The pulumi login command is a fundamental aspect of using Pulumi, a modern infrastructure as code platform that allows you to define and manage cloud resources using general-purpose programming languages. This command facilitates the management of your Pulumi projects by enabling authentication and connection to various backends where your infrastructure state is stored. By logging into Pulumi, you ensure that state management, collaboration, and project history are securely maintained and easily accessible. Below, we explore various use cases of the pulumi login command with detailed explanations and examples.

Use Case 1: Log in to the Managed Pulumi Cloud Backend

Code:

pulumi login

Motivation:

Logging into the managed Pulumi Cloud backend is the most common and recommended method for using Pulumi, especially for individuals and teams who want hassle-free state management and collaboration. The managed Pulumi Cloud provides a centralized place where your project states are stored and automatically keeps the history of your deployments. It also offers features such as role-based access control, secrets management, and various integrations with other tools.

Explanation:

• pulumi login: This command, when used without additional arguments, logs you into the default Pulumi Cloud backend at app.pulumi.cloud. Here, Pulumi stores the state of your projects in a secure and managed environment, allowing for easy collaboration and auditing of changes.

Example Output:

Logging in to Pulumi Cloud...
Successfully logged in to Pulumi!

This output confirms that the user is successfully authenticated with the Pulumi Cloud, enabling full access to all features and the ability to interact with projects stored there.

Use Case 2: Log in to a Self-Hosted Pulumi Cloud Backend

Code:

pulumi login https://myselfhostedurl.com

Motivation:

Organizations with specific security or compliance requirements might opt to run their own instance of the Pulumi Cloud. By logging into a self-hosted Pulumi Cloud backend, teams can have more control over their data and the platform, ensuring that all infrastructure state information remains within their own secure environments.

Explanation:

• pulumi login: Initiates the process of logging into a Pulumi backend.
• https://myselfhostedurl.com: A URL representing the endpoint of the self-hosted Pulumi Cloud backend. This must be specified to direct the pulumi login command to the right server for authentication.

Example Output:

Logging in to https://myselfhostedurl.com...
Successfully logged in to Pulumi!

This feedback assures users that they are authenticated with their specified self-hosted backend, ready to manage cloud infrastructure according to organizational policies.

Use Case 3: Use Pulumi Locally, Independent of a Pulumi Cloud

Code:

pulumi login --local

Motivation:

Working locally is an option for users who prefer not to use the cloud-based backend or when internet connectivity is an issue. Using local mode allows users to manage their state file on their local disk, giving complete control over the file location and maintenance. This can be useful for small, isolated projects or personal testing environments where the full suite of Pulumi Cloud features isn’t necessary.

Explanation:

• pulumi login: Initiates the login process for Pulumi.
• --local: This flag specifies that you’d like to use Pulumi in a local mode, not managed by any cloud service. This negates the use of network-based state management in favor of local storage.

Example Output:

Logged into local mode: file://./

This output communicates that Pulumi is now set to store state files locally, indicating the switch from a cloud-based backend to a local system setup.

Conclusion:

The pulumi login command is pivotal for setting up and authenticating your Pulumi environment, with each use case serving different operational needs and preferences. Whether you’re using the managed Pulumi Cloud for its extensive features, managing your own backend for compliance, or opting for local management for isolated tasks, the flexibility of the pulumi login command ensures that Pulumi can fit seamlessly into your workflow.