aws-advisor

What this skill does

# 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