Is it possible to use the amplify framework without using the cli?

Question

The amplify FAQ says specifically you can. But the github links now just redirect you to the main amplify page and the instructions only talk about using the cli.

Q: Can I use the Amplify Framework libraries even if I do not use the CLI? Yes. The libraries can be used to access backend resources that were created without the Amplify CLI.

• https://aws.amazon.com/amplify/faqs/
• https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amplify/?id=docs_gateway
• https://aws-amplify.github.io/docs/

Answer 1

I have learned that you are able to use the amplify libraries without the Amplify CLI.

To do this you simply install the amplify library as normal.

In react web:

npm install --save aws-amplify
npm install --save aws-amplify-react

After that you need to manually configure any features you're going to use with Amplify.configure();. You can find the manual configuration in the Amplify documentation for each library you plan to use.

Here is an example using Cognito:

https://aws-amplify.github.io/docs/js/authentication#manual-setup

Amplify.configure({
    "aws_project_region": process.env.REACT_APP_REGION,
    "aws_cognito_identity_pool_id": process.env.REACT_APP_IDENTITY_POOL_ID,
    "aws_cognito_region": process.env.REACT_APP_REGION,
    "aws_user_pools_id": process.env.REACT_APP_USER_POOL_ID,
    "aws_user_pools_web_client_id": process.env.REACT_APP_CLIENT_ID,
    "oauth": {},
    Auth: {
        // REQUIRED - Amazon Cognito Identity Pool ID
        identityPoolId: process.env.REACT_APP_IDENTITY_POOL_ID,
        // REQUIRED - Amazon Cognito Region
        region: process.env.REACT_APP_REGION, 
        // OPTIONAL - Amazon Cognito User Pool ID
        userPoolId: process.env.REACT_APP_USER_POOL_ID, 
        // OPTIONAL - Amazon Cognito Web Client ID (26-char alphanumeric string)
        userPoolWebClientId: process.env.REACT_APP_CLIENT_ID,
    }
});

You do not have to use the amplify push for deployments. You can manually deploy and configure any features you're working with.

I find this approach gives you full control over using the Amplify library without the overhead of the CLI and deployment process.