AWS CodeCommit is a fully managed source control service that makes it easy for teams to host secure and scalable Git repositories. Whether you are working on an open-source project, a private enterprise application, or anything in between, CodeCommit provides a reliable platform for your code. This knowledgebase will guide you through setting up a CodeCommit repository, covering everything from initial configuration to best practices.

AWS CodeCommit

What is AWS CodeCommit?

AWS CodeCommit is a cloud-based source control service that supports Git repositories. It allows developers to store and version their code securely and efficiently. Being fully managed, CodeCommit automatically scales with your project, making it a great choice for teams of any size.

Key Features of CodeCommit

• Fully Managed: No need to manage servers or infrastructure.
• Secure: Provides encryption at rest and in transit, and integrates with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for fine-grained permissions.
• Scalable: Supports an unlimited number of repositories and branches.
• Integration: Easily integrates with other AWS services like AWS Lambda, AWS CodeBuild, and AWS CodePipeline.

Use Cases for CodeCommit

• Collaborative Development: Ideal for teams working on shared codebases.
• CI/CD Workflows: Supports automation pipelines for continuous integration and delivery.
• Private Source Code Hosting: Securely host proprietary code without exposing it to public repositories.

Getting Started with CodeCommit

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• An AWS account.
• Access to the AWS Management Console.
• Basic knowledge of Git and source control concepts.

Setting Up Your AWS Environment

1. Navigate to CodeCommit: Search for CodeCommit in the AWS services search bar.

Creating a CodeCommit Repository

Using the AWS Management Console

1. Open CodeCommit: In the AWS Management Console, open the CodeCommit service.
2. Create Repository:
   • Click on Create Repository.
   • Enter a Repository name (e.g., my-awesome-repo).
   • Optionally, add a Description.
   • Click Create.

Using the AWS CLI

To create a repository using the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), run the following command

Using AWS SDKs

You can also create a repository programmatically using AWS SDKs (for example, using Python’s Boto3

Configuring Repository Permissions

IAM Policies

To control access to your CodeCommit repositories, you can use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) policies. Here’s an example of an IAM policy that allows users to push and pull from a specific repository:

Resource-Based Policies

You can also apply resource-based policies to your CodeCommit repositories to grant access to specific IAM roles or users.
This is useful for cross-account access.

Setting Up Local Git Configuration

Installing Git

Ensure that Git is installed on your local machine. You can download it from the official Git website.

Configuring Git Credentials

You will need to configure Git to use AWS CodeCommit. You can use HTTPS with Git credentials or SSH keys.

Configuring HTTPS Credentials

1. Create Git Credentials in the IAM console:

   • Navigate to Users and select your user.
   • Go to the Security credentials tab.
   • Click Generate credentials under HTTPS Git credentials for AWS CodeCommit.

Integrating CodeCommit with Other AWS Services

 AWS CodeBuild

AWS CodeBuild can be integrated with CodeCommit to automate builds. You can create a build project in CodeBuild that triggers on changes to your CodeCommit repository.

1. Open CodeBuild in the AWS Management Console.
2. Create a Build Project and configure it to use your CodeCommit repository.

AWS CodePipeline

AWS CodePipeline can also be set up to automate the entire CI/CD process. You can define a pipeline that starts with a CodeCommit source action and includes stages for build and deployment.

1. Open CodePipeline in the AWS Management Console.
2. Create a Pipeline and select your CodeCommit repository as the source.

Best Practices for Using CodeCommit

• Branch Management: Implement a branching strategy (e.g., GitFlow) to manage development and releases.
• Access Control: Use IAM policies to control access to your repositories carefully.
• Commit Messages: Write clear and meaningful commit messages for better project documentation.
• Backup and Recovery: Regularly back up your repositories and consider implementing a recovery plan.

Monitoring and Managing Your CodeCommit Repository

AWS provides several tools to monitor and manage your CodeCommit repositories.

• CloudWatch Metrics: Monitor repository activity through Amazon CloudWatch.
• AWS CloudTrail: Use CloudTrail to log and monitor changes to your repositories for compliance and auditing.