# How AWS ParallelCluster works
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AWS ParallelCluster was built not only as a way to manage clusters, but as a reference on how to use AWS services to build your HPC environment. The following topics describe AWS ParallelCluster processes, the AWS services that AWS ParallelCluster uses and how, and the internal directories.

**Topics**
+ [AWS ParallelCluster processes](processes-v3.md)
+ [AWS services used by AWS ParallelCluster](aws-services-v3.md)
+ [AWS ParallelCluster internal directories](directories-v3.md)