• The AWS Systems Manager CloudWatch Dashboard will no longer be available after April 30, 2026. Customers can continue to use Amazon CloudWatch console to view, create, and manage their Amazon CloudWatch dashboards, just as they do today. For more information, see [Amazon CloudWatch Dashboard documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/monitoring/CloudWatch_Dashboards.html).
# Document components
This section includes information about the components that make up SSM documents.
**Topics**
+ [Schemas, features, and examples](documents-schemas-features.md)
+ [Data elements and parameters](documents-syntax-data-elements-parameters.md)
+ [Command document plugin reference](documents-command-ssm-plugin-reference.md)
# Schemas, features, and examples
AWS Systems Manager (SSM) documents use the following schema versions.
+ Documents of type `Command` can use schema version 1.2, 2.0, and 2.2. If you use schema 1.2 documents, we recommend that you create documents that use schema version 2.2.
+ Documents of type `Policy` must use schema version 2.0 or later.
+ Documents of type `Automation` must use schema version 0.3.
+ Documents of type `Session` must use schema version 1.0.
+ You can create documents in JSON or YAML.
For more information about `Session` document schema, see [Session document schema](session-manager-schema.md).
By using the latest schema version for `Command` and `Policy` documents, you can take advantage of the following features.
**Schema version 2.2 document features**
| Feature | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Document editing | Documents can now be updated. With version 1.2, any update to a document required that you save it with a different name. |
| Automatic versioning | Any update to a document creates a new version. This isn't a schema version, but a version of the document. |
| Default version | If you have multiple versions of a document, you can specify which version is the default document. |
| Sequencing | Plugins or *steps* in a document run in the order that you specified. |
| Cross-platform support | Cross-platform support allows you to specify different operating systems for different plugins within the same SSM document. Cross-platform support uses the `precondition` parameter within a step. |
| Parameter interpolation | Interpolation means to insert or substitute a variable value into a string. Think of it as filling in a blank space with actual values before the string is used. In the context of SSM documents, parameter interpolation allows string parameters to be interpolated into environment variables before command execution, providing better security against command injections. When set to `ENV_VAR`, the agent creates an environment variable named `SSM_parameter-name` that contains the parameter's value. |
**Note**
You must keep AWS Systems Manager SSM Agent on your instances updated with the latest version to use new Systems Manager features and SSM document features. For more information, see [Updating the SSM Agent using Run Command](run-command-tutorial-update-software.md#rc-console-agentexample).
The following table lists the differences between major schema versions.
****
| Version 1.2 | Version 2.2 (latest version) | Details |
| --- | --- | --- |
| runtimeConfig | mainSteps | In version 2.2, the `mainSteps` section replaces `runtimeConfig`. The `mainSteps` section allows Systems Manager to run steps in sequence. |
| properties | inputs | In version 2.2, the `inputs` section replaces the `properties` section. The `inputs` section accepts parameters for steps. |
| commands | runCommand | In version 2.2, the `inputs` section takes the `runCommand` parameter instead of the `commands` parameter. |
| id | action | In version 2.2, `Action` replaces `ID`. This is just a name change. |
| not applicable | name | In version 2.2, `name` is any user-defined name for a step. |
**Using the precondition parameter**
With schema version 2.2 or later, you can use the `precondition` parameter to specify the target operating system for each plugin or to validate input parameters you've defined in your SSM document. The `precondition` parameter supports referencing your SSM document's input parameters, and `platformType` using values of `Linux`, `MacOS`, and `Windows`. Only the `StringEquals` operator is supported.
For documents that use schema version 2.2 or later, if `precondition` isn't specified, each plugin is either run or skipped based on the plugin’s compatibility with the operating system. Plugin compatibility with the operating system is evaluated before the `precondition`. For documents that use schema 2.0 or earlier, incompatible plugins throw an error.
For example, in a schema version 2.2 document, if `precondition` isn't specified and the `aws:runShellScript` plugin is listed, then the step runs on Linux instances, but the system skips it on Windows Server instances because the `aws:runShellScript` isn't compatible with Windows Server instances. However, for a schema version 2.0 document, if you specify the `aws:runShellScript` plugin, and then run the document on a Windows Server instances, the execution fails. You can see an example of the precondition parameter in an SSM document later in this section.
## Schema version 2.2
**Top-level elements**
The following example shows the top-level elements of an SSM document using schema version 2.2.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: "2.2"
description: A description of the document.
parameters:
parameter 1:
property 1: "value"
property 2: "value"
parameter 2:
property 1: "value"
property 2: "value"
mainSteps:
- action: Plugin name
name: A name for the step.
inputs:
input 1: "value"
input 2: "value"
input 3: "{{ parameter 1 }}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "A description of the document.",
"parameters": {
"parameter 1": {
"property 1": "value",
"property 2": "value"
},
"parameter 2":{
"property 1": "value",
"property 2": "value"
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "Plugin name",
"name": "A name for the step.",
"inputs": {
"input 1": "value",
"input 2": "value",
"input 3": "{{ parameter 1 }}"
}
}
]
}
```
------
**Schema version 2.2 example**
The following example uses the `aws:runPowerShellScript` plugin to run a PowerShell command on the target instances.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: "2.2"
description: "Example document"
parameters:
Message:
type: "String"
description: "Example parameter"
default: "Hello World"
allowedValues:
- "Hello World"
mainSteps:
- action: "aws:runPowerShellScript"
name: "example"
inputs:
timeoutSeconds: '60'
runCommand:
- "Write-Output {{Message}}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "Example document",
"parameters": {
"Message": {
"type": "String",
"description": "Example parameter",
"default": "Hello World",
"allowedValues": ["Hello World"]
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:runPowerShellScript",
"name": "example",
"inputs": {
"timeoutSeconds": "60",
"runCommand": [
"Write-Output {{Message}}"
]
}
}
]
}
```
------
**Schema version 2.2 precondition parameter examples**
Schema version 2.2 provides cross-platform support. This means that within a single SSM document you can specify different operating systems for different plugins. Cross-platform support uses the `precondition` parameter within a step, as shown in the following example. You can also use the `precondition` parameter to validate input parameters you've defined in your SSM document. You can see this in the second of the following examples.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: cross-platform sample
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runPowerShellScript
name: PatchWindows
precondition:
StringEquals:
- platformType
- Windows
inputs:
runCommand:
- cmds
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: PatchLinux
precondition:
StringEquals:
- platformType
- Linux
inputs:
runCommand:
- cmds
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "cross-platform sample",
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:runPowerShellScript",
"name": "PatchWindows",
"precondition": {
"StringEquals": [
"platformType",
"Windows"
]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"cmds"
]
}
},
{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "PatchLinux",
"precondition": {
"StringEquals": [
"platformType",
"Linux"
]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"cmds"
]
}
}
]
}
```
------
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
parameters:
action:
type: String
allowedValues:
- Install
- Uninstall
confirmed:
type: String
allowedValues:
- True
- False
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: InstallAwsCLI
precondition:
StringEquals:
- "{{ action }}"
- "Install"
inputs:
runCommand:
- sudo apt install aws-cli
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: UninstallAwsCLI
precondition:
StringEquals:
- "{{ action }} {{ confirmed }}"
- "Uninstall True"
inputs:
runCommand:
- sudo apt remove aws-cli
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"parameters": {
"action": {
"type": "String",
"allowedValues": [
"Install",
"Uninstall"
]
},
"confirmed": {
"type": "String",
"allowedValues": [
true,
false
]
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "InstallAwsCLI",
"precondition": {
"StringEquals": [
"{{ action }}",
"Install"
]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"sudo apt install aws-cli"
]
}
},
{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "UninstallAwsCLI",
"precondition": {
"StringEquals": [
"{{ action }} {{ confirmed }}",
"Uninstall True"
]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"sudo apt remove aws-cli"
]
}
}
]
}
```
------
**Schema version 2.2 interpolation example with SSM Agent versions before 3.3.2746.0**
On SSM Agent versions prior to 3.3.2746.0, the agent ignores the `interpolationType` parameter and instead performs a raw string substitution. If you are referencing `SSM_parameter-name` explicitly, you must set this explicitly. In the following example for Linux, the `SSM_Message` environment variable is referenced explicitly.
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "An example document",
"parameters": {
"Message": {
"type": "String",
"description": "Message to be printed",
"default": "Hello",
"interpolationType" : "ENV_VAR",
"allowedPattern: "^[^"]*$"
}
},
"mainSteps": [{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "printMessage",
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"if [ -z "${SSM_Message+x}" ]; then",
" export SSM_Message=\"{{Message}}\"",
"fi",
"",
"echo $SSM_Message"
]
}
}
}
```
**Note**
`allowedPattern` isn’t technically required if an SSM document doesn’t use double braces: `{{ }}`
**Schema version 2.2 State Manager example**
You can use the following SSM document with State Manager, a tool in Systems Manager, to download and install the ClamAV antivirus software. State Manager enforces a specific configuration, which means that each time the State Manager association is run, the system checks to see if the ClamAV software is installed. If not, State Manager reruns this document.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: State Manager Bootstrap Example
parameters: {}
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: configureServer
inputs:
runCommand:
- sudo yum install -y httpd24
- sudo yum --enablerepo=epel install -y clamav
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "State Manager Bootstrap Example",
"parameters": {},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "configureServer",
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"sudo yum install -y httpd24",
"sudo yum --enablerepo=epel install -y clamav"
]
}
}
]
}
```
------
**Schema version 2.2 Inventory example**
You can use the following SSM document with State Manager to collect inventory metadata about your instances.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: Software Inventory Policy Document.
parameters:
applications:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect data for installed applications."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
awsComponents:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect data for AWS Components like amazon-ssm-agent."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
networkConfig:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect data for Network configurations."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
windowsUpdates:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect data for all Windows Updates."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
instanceDetailedInformation:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect additional information about the instance, including
the CPU model, speed, and the number of cores, to name a few."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
customInventory:
type: String
default: Enabled
description: "(Optional) Collect data for custom inventory."
allowedValues:
- Enabled
- Disabled
mainSteps:
- action: aws:softwareInventory
name: collectSoftwareInventoryItems
inputs:
applications: "{{ applications }}"
awsComponents: "{{ awsComponents }}"
networkConfig: "{{ networkConfig }}"
windowsUpdates: "{{ windowsUpdates }}"
instanceDetailedInformation: "{{ instanceDetailedInformation }}"
customInventory: "{{ customInventory }}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "Software Inventory Policy Document.",
"parameters": {
"applications": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect data for installed applications.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
},
"awsComponents": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect data for AWS Components like amazon-ssm-agent.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
},
"networkConfig": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect data for Network configurations.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
},
"windowsUpdates": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect data for all Windows Updates.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
},
"instanceDetailedInformation": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect additional information about the instance, including\nthe CPU model, speed, and the number of cores, to name a few.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
},
"customInventory": {
"type": "String",
"default": "Enabled",
"description": "(Optional) Collect data for custom inventory.",
"allowedValues": [
"Enabled",
"Disabled"
]
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:softwareInventory",
"name": "collectSoftwareInventoryItems",
"inputs": {
"applications": "{{ applications }}",
"awsComponents": "{{ awsComponents }}",
"networkConfig": "{{ networkConfig }}",
"windowsUpdates": "{{ windowsUpdates }}",
"instanceDetailedInformation": "{{ instanceDetailedInformation }}",
"customInventory": "{{ customInventory }}"
}
}
]
}
```
------
**Schema version 2.2 `AWS-ConfigureAWSPackage` example**
The following example shows the `AWS-ConfigureAWSPackage` document. The `mainSteps` section includes the `aws:configurePackage` plugin in the `action` step.
**Note**
On Linux operating systems, only the `AmazonCloudWatchAgent` and `AWSSupport-EC2Rescue` packages are supported.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: 'Install or uninstall the latest version or specified version of an AWS
package. Available packages include the following: AWSPVDriver, AwsEnaNetworkDriver,
AwsVssComponents, and AmazonCloudWatchAgent, and AWSSupport-EC2Rescue.'
parameters:
action:
description: "(Required) Specify whether or not to install or uninstall the package."
type: String
allowedValues:
- Install
- Uninstall
name:
description: "(Required) The package to install/uninstall."
type: String
allowedPattern: "^arn:[a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62}:[a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62}:([a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62})?:([a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62})?:package\\/[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9\\-_]{0,39}$|^[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9\\-_]{0,39}$"
version:
type: String
description: "(Optional) A specific version of the package to install or uninstall."
mainSteps:
- action: aws:configurePackage
name: configurePackage
inputs:
name: "{{ name }}"
action: "{{ action }}"
version: "{{ version }}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "Install or uninstall the latest version or specified version of an AWS package. Available packages include the following: AWSPVDriver, AwsEnaNetworkDriver, AwsVssComponents, and AmazonCloudWatchAgent, and AWSSupport-EC2Rescue.",
"parameters": {
"action": {
"description":"(Required) Specify whether or not to install or uninstall the package.",
"type":"String",
"allowedValues":[
"Install",
"Uninstall"
]
},
"name": {
"description": "(Required) The package to install/uninstall.",
"type": "String",
"allowedPattern": "^arn:[a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62}:[a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62}:([a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62})?:([a-z0-9][-.a-z0-9]{0,62})?:package\\/[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9\\-_]{0,39}$|^[a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9\\-_]{0,39}$"
},
"version": {
"type": "String",
"description": "(Optional) A specific version of the package to install or uninstall."
}
},
"mainSteps":[
{
"action": "aws:configurePackage",
"name": "configurePackage",
"inputs": {
"name": "{{ name }}",
"action": "{{ action }}",
"version": "{{ version }}"
}
}
]
}
```
------
## Schema version 1.2
The following example shows the top-level elements of a schema version 1.2 document.
```
{
"schemaVersion":"1.2",
"description":"A description of the SSM document.",
"parameters":{
"parameter 1":{
"one or more parameter properties"
},
"parameter 2":{
"one or more parameter properties"
},
"parameter 3":{
"one or more parameter properties"
}
},
"runtimeConfig":{
"plugin 1":{
"properties":[
{
"one or more plugin properties"
}
]
}
}
}
```
**Schema version 1.2 `aws:runShellScript` example**
The following example shows the `AWS-RunShellScript` SSM document. The **runtimeConfig** section includes the `aws:runShellScript` plugin.
```
{
"schemaVersion":"1.2",
"description":"Run a shell script or specify the commands to run.",
"parameters":{
"commands":{
"type":"StringList",
"description":"(Required) Specify a shell script or a command to run.",
"minItems":1,
"displayType":"textarea"
},
"workingDirectory":{
"type":"String",
"default":"",
"description":"(Optional) The path to the working directory on your instance.",
"maxChars":4096
},
"executionTimeout":{
"type":"String",
"default":"3600",
"description":"(Optional) The time in seconds for a command to complete before it is considered to have failed. Default is 3600 (1 hour). Maximum is 172800 (48 hours).",
"allowedPattern":"([1-9][0-9]{0,3})|(1[0-9]{1,4})|(2[0-7][0-9]{1,3})|(28[0-7][0-9]{1,2})|(28800)"
}
},
"runtimeConfig":{
"aws:runShellScript":{
"properties":[
{
"id":"0.aws:runShellScript",
"runCommand":"{{ commands }}",
"workingDirectory":"{{ workingDirectory }}",
"timeoutSeconds":"{{ executionTimeout }}"
}
]
}
}
}
```
## Schema version 0.3
**Top-level elements**
The following example shows the top-level elements of a schema version 0.3 Automation runbook in JSON format.
```
{
"description": "document-description",
"schemaVersion": "0.3",
"assumeRole": "{{assumeRole}}",
"parameters": {
"parameter1": {
"type": "String",
"description": "parameter-1-description",
"default": ""
},
"parameter2": {
"type": "String",
"description": "parameter-2-description",
"default": ""
}
},
"variables": {
"variable1": {
"type": "StringMap",
"description": "variable-1-description",
"default": {}
},
"variable2": {
"type": "String",
"description": "variable-2-description",
"default": "default-value"
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"name": "myStepName",
"action": "action-name",
"maxAttempts": 1,
"inputs": {
"Handler": "python-only-handler-name",
"Runtime": "runtime-name",
"Attachment": "script-or-zip-name"
},
"outputs": {
"Name": "output-name",
"Selector": "selector.value",
"Type": "data-type"
}
}
],
"files": {
"script-or-zip-name": {
"checksums": {
"sha256": "checksum"
},
"size": 1234
}
}
}
```
**YAML Automation runbook example**
The following sample shows the contents of an Automation runbook, in YAML format. This working example of version 0.3 of the document schema also demonstrates the use of Markdown to format document descriptions.
```
description: >-
##Title: LaunchInstanceAndCheckState
-----
**Purpose**: This Automation runbook first launches an EC2 instance
using the AMI ID provided in the parameter ```imageId```. The second step of
this document continuously checks the instance status check value for the
launched instance until the status ```ok``` is returned.
##Parameters:
-----
Name | Type | Description | Default Value
------------- | ------------- | ------------- | -------------
assumeRole | String | (Optional) The ARN of the role that allows Automation to
perform the actions on your behalf. | -
imageId | String | (Optional) The AMI ID to use for launching the instance.
The default value uses the latest Amazon Linux AMI ID available. | {{
ssm:/aws/service/ami-amazon-linux-latest/al2023-ami-kernel-6.1-x86_64 }}
schemaVersion: '0.3'
assumeRole: 'arn:aws:iam::111122223333::role/AutomationServiceRole'
parameters:
imageId:
type: String
default: '{{ ssm:/aws/service/ami-amazon-linux-latest/al2023-ami-kernel-6.1-x86_64 }}'
description: >-
(Optional) The AMI ID to use for launching the instance. The default value
uses the latest released Amazon Linux AMI ID.
tagValue:
type: String
default: ' LaunchedBySsmAutomation'
description: >-
(Optional) The tag value to add to the instance. The default value is
LaunchedBySsmAutomation.
instanceType:
type: String
default: t2.micro
description: >-
(Optional) The instance type to use for the instance. The default value is
t2.micro.
mainSteps:
- name: LaunchEc2Instance
action: 'aws:executeScript'
outputs:
- Name: payload
Selector: $.Payload
Type: StringMap
inputs:
Runtime: python3.11
Handler: launch_instance
Script: ''
InputPayload:
image_id: '{{ imageId }}'
tag_value: '{{ tagValue }}'
instance_type: '{{ instanceType }}'
Attachment: launch.py
description: >-
**About This Step**
This step first launches an EC2 instance using the ```aws:executeScript```
action and the provided python script.
- name: WaitForInstanceStatusOk
action: 'aws:executeScript'
inputs:
Runtime: python3.11
Handler: poll_instance
Script: |-
def poll_instance(events, context):
import boto3
import time
ec2 = boto3.client('ec2')
instance_id = events['InstanceId']
print('[INFO] Waiting for instance status check to report ok', instance_id)
instance_status = "null"
while True:
res = ec2.describe_instance_status(InstanceIds=[instance_id])
if len(res['InstanceStatuses']) == 0:
print("Instance status information is not available yet")
time.sleep(5)
continue
instance_status = res['InstanceStatuses'][0]['InstanceStatus']['Status']
print('[INFO] Polling to get status of the instance', instance_status)
if instance_status == 'ok':
break
time.sleep(10)
return {'Status': instance_status, 'InstanceId': instance_id}
InputPayload: '{{ LaunchEc2Instance.payload }}'
description: >-
**About This Step**
The python script continuously polls the instance status check value for
the instance launched in Step 1 until the ```ok``` status is returned.
files:
launch.py:
checksums:
sha256: 18871b1311b295c43d0f...[truncated]...772da97b67e99d84d342ef4aEXAMPLE
```
## Secure parameter handling examples
The following examples demonstrate secure parameter handling using environment variable `interpolationType`.
### Basic secure command execution
This example shows how to securely handle a command parameter:
**Note**
`allowedPattern` isn’t technically required in SSM documents that don’t use double braces: `{{ }}`
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: An example document.
parameters:
Message:
type: String
description: "Message to be printed"
default: Hello
interpolationType: ENV_VAR
allowedPattern: "^[^"]*$"
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: printMessage
precondition:
StringEquals:
- platformType
- Linux
inputs:
runCommand:
- echo {{Message}}
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "An example document.",
"parameters": {
"Message": {
"type": "String",
"description": "Message to be printed",
"default": "Hello",
"interpolationType": "ENV_VAR",
"allowedPattern": "^[^"]*$"
}
},
"mainSteps": [{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "printMessage",
"precondition": {
"StringEquals": ["platformType", "Linux"]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"echo {{Message}}"
]
}
}]
}
```
------
### Using parameters in interpreted languages
This example demonstrates secure parameter handling in Python:
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: 'Secure Python script execution'
parameters:
inputData:
type: String
description: 'Input data for processing'
interpolationType: 'ENV_VAR'
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runPowerShellScript
name: runPython
inputs:
runCommand:
- |
python3 -c '
import os
import json
# Safely access parameter through environment variable
input_data = os.environ.get("SSM_inputData", "")
# Process the data
try:
processed_data = json.loads(input_data)
print(f"Successfully processed: {processed_data}")
except json.JSONDecodeError:
print("Invalid JSON input")
'
```
------
### Backwards compatibility example
This example shows how to handle parameters securely while maintaining backwards compatibility:
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: 'Backwards compatible secure parameter handling'
parameters:
userInput:
type: String
description: 'User input to process'
interpolationType: 'ENV_VAR'
allowedPattern: '^[^"]*$'
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: processInput
inputs:
runCommand:
- |
# Handle both modern and legacy agent versions
if [ -z "${SSM_userInput+x}" ]; then
# Legacy agent - fall back to direct parameter reference
export SSM_userInput="{{userInput}}"
fi
# Process the input securely
echo "Processing input: $SSM_userInput"
```
------
**Note**
`allowedPattern` isn’t technically required in SSM documents that don’t use double braces: `{{ }}`
## Parameter security best practices
Follow these best practices when handling parameters in SSM documents:
+ **Use environment variable interpolation** - Always use `interpolationType: "ENV_VAR"` for string parameters that will be used in command execution.
+ **Implement input validation** - Use `allowedPattern` to restrict parameter values to safe patterns.
+ **Handle legacy systems** - Include fallback logic for older SSM Agent versions that don't support environment variable interpolation.
+ **Escape special characters** - When using parameter values in commands, properly escape special characters to prevent interpretation by the shell.
+ **Limit parameter scope** - Use the most restrictive parameter patterns possible for your use case.
# Data elements and parameters
This topic describes the data elements used in SSM documents. The schema version used to create a document defines the syntax and data elements that the document accepts. We recommend that you use schema version 2.2 or later for Command documents. Automation runbooks use schema version 0.3. Additionally, Automation runbooks support the use of Markdown, a markup language, which allows you to add wiki-style descriptions to documents and individual steps within the document. For more information about using Markdown, see [Using Markdown in the Console](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/general/latest/gr/aws-markdown.html) in the *AWS Management Console Getting Started Guide*.
The following section describes the data elements that you can include in a SSM document.
## Top-level data elements
**schemaVersion**
The schema version to use.
Type: Version
Required: Yes
**description**
Information you provide to describe the purpose of the document. You can also use this field to specify whether a parameter requires a value for a document to run, or if providing a value for the parameter is optional. Required and optional parameters can be seen in the examples throughout this topic.
Type: String
Required: No
**parameters**
A structure that defines the parameters the document accepts.
For enhanced security when handling string parameters, you can use environment variable interpolation by specifying the `interpolationType` property. When set to `ENV_VAR`, the system creates an environment variable named `SSM_parameter-name` containing the parameter value.
The following includes an example of a parameter using environment variable `interpolationType`:
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "An example document.",
"parameters": {
"Message": {
"type": "String",
"description": "Message to be printed",
"default": "Hello",
"interpolationType" : "ENV_VAR",
"allowedPattern": "^[^"]*$"
}
},
"mainSteps": [{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "printMessage",
"precondition" : {
"StringEquals" : ["platformType", "Linux"]
},
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"echo {{Message}}"
]
}
}
}
```
`allowedPattern` isn’t technically required in SSM documents that don’t use double braces: `{{ }}`
For parameters that you use often, we recommend that you store those parameters in Parameter Store, a tool in AWS Systems Manager. Then, you can define parameters in your document that reference Parameter Store parameters as their default value. To reference a Parameter Store parameter, use the following syntax.
```
{{ssm:parameter-name}}
```
You can use a parameter that references a Parameter Store parameter the same way as any other document parameters. In the following example, the default value for the `commands` parameter is the Parameter Store parameter `myShellCommands`. By specifying the `commands` parameter as a `runCommand` string, the document runs the commands stored in the `myShellCommands` parameter.
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: runShellScript with command strings stored as Parameter Store parameter
parameters:
commands:
type: StringList
description: "(Required) The commands to run on the instance."
default: ["{{ ssm:myShellCommands }}"],
interpolationType : 'ENV_VAR'
allowedPattern: '^[^"]*$'
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runShellScript
name: runShellScriptDefaultParams
inputs:
runCommand:"{{ commands }}"
```
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "runShellScript with command strings stored as Parameter Store parameter",
"parameters": {
"commands": {
"type": "StringList",
"description": "(Required) The commands to run on the instance.",
"default": ["{{ ssm:myShellCommands }}"],
"interpolationType" : "ENV_VAR"
}
},
"mainSteps": [
{
"action": "aws:runShellScript",
"name": "runShellScriptDefaultParams",
"inputs": {
"runCommand": [
"{{ commands }}"
]
}
}
]
}
```
You can reference `String` and `StringList` Parameter Store parameters in the `parameters` section of your document. You can't reference `SecureString` Parameter Store parameters.
For more information about Parameter Store, see [AWS Systems Manager Parameter Store](systems-manager-parameter-store.md).
Type: Structure
The `parameters` structure accepts the following fields and values:
+ `type`: (Required) Allowed values include the following: `String`, `StringList`, `Integer` `Boolean`, `MapList`, and `StringMap`. To view examples of each type, see [SSM document parameter `type` examples](#top-level-properties-type) in the next section.
**Note**
Command type documents only support the `String` and `StringList` parameter types.
+ `description`: (Optional) A description of the parameter.
+ `default`: (Optional) The default value of the parameter or a reference to a parameter in Parameter Store.
+ `allowedValues`: (Optional) An array of values allowed for the parameter. Defining allowed values for the parameter validates the user input. If a user inputs a value that isn't allowed, the execution fails to start.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
DirectoryType:
type: String
description: "(Required) The directory type to launch."
default: AwsMad
allowedValues:
- AdConnector
- AwsMad
- SimpleAd
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
"DirectoryType": {
"type": "String",
"description": "(Required) The directory type to launch.",
"default": "AwsMad",
"allowedValues": [
"AdConnector",
"AwsMad",
"SimpleAd"
]
}
```
------
+ `allowedPattern`: (Optional) A regular expression that validates whether the user input matches the defined pattern for the parameter. If the user input doesn't match the allowed pattern, the execution fails to start.
**Note**
Systems Manager performs two validations for `allowedPattern`. The first validation is performed using the [Java regex library](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/api/java/util/regex/package-summary.html) at the API level when you use a document. The second validation is performed on SSM Agent by using the [GO regexp library](https://pkg.go.dev/regexp) before processing the document.
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
InstanceId:
type: String
description: "(Required) The instance ID to target."
allowedPattern: "^i-(?:[a-f0-9]{8}|[a-f0-9]{17})$"
default: ''
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
"InstanceId": {
"type": "String",
"description": "(Required) The instance ID to target.",
"allowedPattern": "^i-(?:[a-f0-9]{8}|[a-f0-9]{17})$",
"default": ""
}
```
------
+ `displayType`: (Optional) Used to display either a `textfield` or a `textarea` in the AWS Management Console. `textfield` is a single-line text box. `textarea` is a multi-line text area.
+ `minItems`: (Optional) The minimum number of items allowed.
+ `maxItems`: (Optional) The maximum number of items allowed.
+ `minChars`: (Optional) The minimum number of parameter characters allowed.
+ `maxChars`: (Optional) The maximum number of parameter characters allowed.
+ `interpolationType`: (Optional) Defines how parameter values are processed before command execution. When set to `ENV_VAR`, the parameter value is made available as an environment variable named `SSM_parameter-name`. This feature helps prevent command injection by treating parameter values as literal strings.
Type: String
Valid values: `ENV_VAR`
Required: No
**variables**
(Schema version 0.3 only) Values you can reference or update throughout the steps in an Automation runbook. Variables are similar to parameters, but differ in a very important way. Parameter values are static in the context of a runbook, but the values of variables can be changed in the context of the runbook. When updating the value of a variable, the data type must match the defined data type. For information about updating variables values in an automation, see [`aws:updateVariable` – Updates a value for a runbook variable](automation-action-update-variable.md)
Type: Boolean \$1 Integer \$1 MapList \$1 String \$1 StringList \$1 StringMap
Required: No
```
variables:
payload:
type: StringMap
default: "{}"
```
```
{
"variables": [
"payload": {
"type": "StringMap",
"default": "{}"
}
]
}
```
**runtimeConfig**
(Schema version 1.2 only) The configuration for the instance as applied by one or more Systems Manager plugins. Plugins aren't guaranteed to run in sequence.
Type: Dictionary
Required: No
**mainSteps**
(Schema version 0.3, 2.0, and 2.2 only) An object that can include multiple steps (plugins). Plugins are defined within steps. Steps run in sequential order as listed in the document.
Type: Dictionary
Required: Yes
**outputs**
(Schema version 0.3 only) Data generated by the execution of this document that can be used in other processes. For example, if your document creates a new AMI, you might specify "CreateImage.ImageId" as the output value, and then use this output to create new instances in a subsequent automation execution. For more information about outputs, see [Using action outputs as inputs](automation-action-outputs-inputs.md).
Type: Dictionary
Required: No
**files**
(Schema version 0.3 only) The script files (and their checksums) attached to the document and run during an automation execution. Applies only to documents that include the `aws:executeScript` action and for which attachments have been specified in one or more steps.
To learn about the runtimes supported by Automation runbooks, see [`aws:executeScript` – Run a script](automation-action-executeScript.md). For more information about including scripts in Automation runbooks, see [Using scripts in runbooks](automation-document-script-considerations.md) and [Visual design experience for Automation runbooks](automation-visual-designer.md).
When creating an Automation runbook with attachments, you must also specify attachment files using the `--attachments` option (for AWS CLI) or `Attachments` (for API and SDK). You can specify the file location for SSM documents and files stored in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) buckets. For more information, see [Attachments](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/APIReference/API_CreateDocument.html#systemsmanager-CreateDocument-request-Attachments) in the AWS Systems Manager API Reference.
```
---
files:
launch.py:
checksums:
sha256: 18871b1311b295c43d0f...[truncated]...772da97b67e99d84d342ef4aEXAMPLE
```
```
"files": {
"launch.py": {
"checksums": {
"sha256": "18871b1311b295c43d0f...[truncated]...772da97b67e99d84d342ef4aEXAMPLE"
}
}
}
```
Type: Dictionary
Required: No
## SSM document parameter `type` examples
Parameter types in SSM documents are static. This means the parameter type can't be changed after it's defined. When using parameters with SSM document plugins, the type of a parameter can't be dynamically changed within a plugin's input. For example, you can't reference an `Integer` parameter within the `runCommand` input of the `aws:runShellScript` plugin because this input accepts a string or list of strings. To use a parameter for a plugin input, the parameter type must match the accepted type. For example, you must specify a `Boolean` type parameter for the `allowDowngrade` input of the `aws:updateSsmAgent` plugin. If your parameter type doesn't match the input type for a plugin, the SSM document fails to validate and the system doesn't create the document. This is also true when using parameters downstream within inputs for other plugins or AWS Systems Manager Automation actions. For example, you can't reference a `StringList` parameter within the `documentParameters` input of the `aws:runDocument` plugin. The `documentParameters` input accepts a map of strings even if the downstream SSM document parameter type is a `StringList` parameter and matches the parameter you're referencing.
When using parameters with Automation actions, parameter types aren't validated when you create the SSM document in most cases. Only when you use the `aws:runCommand` action are parameter types validated when you create the SSM document. In all other cases, the parameter validation occurs during the automation execution when an action's input is verified before running the action. For example, if your input parameter is a `String` and you reference it as the value for the `MaxInstanceCount` input of the `aws:runInstances` action, the SSM document is created. However, when running the document, the automation fails while validating the `aws:runInstances` action because the `MaxInstanceCount` input requires an `Integer`.
The following are examples of each parameter `type`.
String
A sequence of zero or more Unicode characters wrapped in quotation marks. For example, "i-1234567890abcdef0". Use backslashes to escape.
String parameters can include an optional `interpolationType` field with the value `ENV_VAR` to enable environment variable interpolation for improved security.
```
---
InstanceId:
type: String
description: "(Optional) The target EC2 instance ID."
interpolationType: ENV_VAR
```
```
"InstanceId":{
"type":"String",
"description":"(Optional) The target EC2 instance ID.",
"interpolationType": "ENV_VAR"
}
```
StringList
A list of String items separated by commas. For example, ["cd \$1", "pwd"].
```
---
commands:
type: StringList
description: "(Required) Specify a shell script or a command to run."
default: ""
minItems: 1
displayType: textarea
```
```
"commands":{
"type":"StringList",
"description":"(Required) Specify a shell script or a command to run.",
"minItems":1,
"displayType":"textarea"
}
```
Boolean
Accepts only `true` or `false`. Doesn't accept "true" or 0.
```
---
canRun:
type: Boolean
description: ''
default: true
```
```
"canRun": {
"type": "Boolean",
"description": "",
"default": true
}
```
Integer
Integral numbers. Doesn't accept decimal numbers, for example 3.14159, or numbers wrapped in quotation marks, for example "3".
```
---
timeout:
type: Integer
description: The type of action to perform.
default: 100
```
```
"timeout": {
"type": "Integer",
"description": "The type of action to perform.",
"default": 100
}
```
StringMap
A mapping of keys to values. Keys and values must be strings. For example, \$1"Env": "Prod"\$1.
```
---
notificationConfig:
type: StringMap
description: The configuration for events to be notified about
default:
NotificationType: 'Command'
NotificationEvents:
- 'Failed'
NotificationArn: "$dependency.topicArn"
maxChars: 150
```
```
"notificationConfig" : {
"type" : "StringMap",
"description" : "The configuration for events to be notified about",
"default" : {
"NotificationType" : "Command",
"NotificationEvents" : ["Failed"],
"NotificationArn" : "$dependency.topicArn"
},
"maxChars" : 150
}
```
MapList
A list of StringMap objects.
```
blockDeviceMappings:
type: MapList
description: The mappings for the create image inputs
default:
- DeviceName: "/dev/sda1"
Ebs:
VolumeSize: "50"
- DeviceName: "/dev/sdm"
Ebs:
VolumeSize: "100"
maxItems: 2
```
```
"blockDeviceMappings":{
"type":"MapList",
"description":"The mappings for the create image inputs",
"default":[
{
"DeviceName":"/dev/sda1",
"Ebs":{
"VolumeSize":"50"
}
},
{
"DeviceName":"/dev/sdm",
"Ebs":{
"VolumeSize":"100"
}
}
],
"maxItems":2
}
```
## Viewing SSM Command document content
To preview the required and optional parameters for an AWS Systems Manager (SSM) Command document, in addition to the actions the document runs, you can view the content of the document in the Systems Manager console.
**To view SSM Command document content**
1. Open the AWS Systems Manager console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/).
1. In the navigation pane, choose **Documents**.
1. In the search box, select **Document type**, and then select **Command**.
1. Choose the name of a document, and then choose the **Content** tab.
1. In the content field, review the available parameters and action steps for the document.
For example, the following image shows that (1) `version` and (2) `allowDowngrade` are optional parameters for the `AWS-UpdateSSMAgent` document, and that the first action run by the document is (3) `aws:updateSsmAgent`.
![\[View SSM document content in the Systems Manager console\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/systems-manager/latest/userguide/images/view-document-content.png)
# Command document plugin reference
This reference describes the plugins that you can specify in an AWS Systems Manager (SSM) Command type document. These plugins can't be used in SSM Automation runbooks, which use Automation actions. For information about AWS Systems Manager Automation actions, see [Systems Manager Automation actions reference](automation-actions.md).
Systems Manager determines the actions to perform on a managed instance by reading the contents of an SSM document. Each document includes a code-execution section. Depending on the schema version of your document, this code-execution section can include one or more plugins or steps. For the purpose of this Help topic, plugins and steps are called *plugins*. This section includes information about each of the Systems Manager plugins. For more information about documents, including information about creating documents and the differences between schema versions, see [AWS Systems Manager Documents](documents.md).
For plugins that accept String parameters, such as `aws:runShellScript` and `aws:runPowerShellScript`, the `interpolationType` parameter can be used to enhance security by treating parameter inputs as string literals rather than potentially executable commands. For example:
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "runShellScript with command strings stored as Parameter Store parameter",
"parameters": {
"commands": {
"type": "StringList",
"description": "(Required) The commands to run on the instance.",
"default": ["{{ ssm:myShellCommands }}"],
"interpolationType" : "ENV_VAR"
}
},
//truncated
}
```
**Note**
Some of the plugins described here run only on either Windows Server instances or Linux instances. Platform dependencies are noted for each plugin.
The following document plugins are supported on Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instances for macOS:
`aws:refreshAssociation`
`aws:runShellScript`
`aws:runPowerShellScript`
`aws:softwareInventory`
`aws:updateSsmAgent`
**Topics**
+ [Shared inputs](#shared-inputs)
+ [`aws:applications`](#aws-applications)
+ [`aws:cloudWatch`](#aws-cloudWatch)
+ [`aws:configureDocker`](#aws-configuredocker)
+ [`aws:configurePackage`](#aws-configurepackage)
+ [`aws:domainJoin`](#aws-domainJoin)
+ [`aws:downloadContent`](#aws-downloadContent)
+ [`aws:psModule`](#aws-psModule)
+ [`aws:refreshAssociation`](#aws-refreshassociation)
+ [`aws:runDockerAction`](#aws-rundockeraction)
+ [`aws:runDocument`](#aws-rundocument)
+ [`aws:runPowerShellScript`](#aws-runPowerShellScript)
+ [`aws:runShellScript`](#aws-runShellScript)
+ [`aws:softwareInventory`](#aws-softwareinventory)
+ [`aws:updateAgent`](#aws-updateagent)
+ [`aws:updateSsmAgent`](#aws-updatessmagent)
## Shared inputs
With SSM Agent version 3.0.502 and later only, all plugins can use the following inputs:
**finallyStep**
The last step you want the document to run. If this input is defined for a step, it takes precedence over an `exit` value specified in the `onFailure` or `onSuccess` inputs. In order for a step with this input to run as expected, the step must be the last one defined in the `mainSteps` of your document.
Type: Boolean
Valid values: `true` \$1 `false`
Required: No
**onFailure**
If you specify this input for a plugin with the `exit` value and the step fails, the step status reflects the failure and the document doesn't run any remaining steps unless a `finallyStep` has been defined. If you specify this input for a plugin with the `successAndExit` value and the step fails, the step status shows successful and the document doesn't run any remaining steps unless a `finallyStep` has been defined.
Type: String
Valid values: `exit` \$1 `successAndExit`
Required: No
**onSuccess**
If you specify this input for a plugin and the step runs successfully, the document doesn't run any remaining steps unless a `finallyStep` has been defined.
Type: String
Valid values: `exit`
Required: No
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: Shared inputs example
parameters:
customDocumentParameter:
type: String
description: Example parameter for a custom Command-type document.
mainSteps:
- action: aws:runDocument
name: runCustomConfiguration
inputs:
documentType: SSMDocument
documentPath: "yourCustomDocument"
documentParameters: '"documentParameter":{{customDocumentParameter}}'
onSuccess: exit
- action: aws:runDocument
name: ifConfigurationFailure
inputs:
documentType: SSMDocument
documentPath: "yourCustomRepairDocument"
onFailure: exit
- action: aws:runDocument
name: finalConfiguration
inputs:
documentType: SSMDocument
documentPath: "yourCustomFinalDocument"
finallyStep: true
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion": "2.2",
"description": "Shared inputs example",
"parameters": {
"customDocumentParameter": {
"type": "String",
"description": "Example parameter for a custom Command-type document."
}
},
"mainSteps":[
{
"action": "aws:runDocument",
"name": "runCustomConfiguration",
"inputs": {
"documentType": "SSMDocument",
"documentPath": "yourCustomDocument",
"documentParameters": "\"documentParameter\":{{customDocumentParameter}}",
"onSuccess": "exit"
}
},
{
"action": "aws:runDocument",
"name": "ifConfigurationFailure",
"inputs": {
"documentType": "SSMDocument",
"documentPath": "yourCustomRepairDocument",
"onFailure": "exit"
}
},
{
"action": "aws:runDocument",
"name":"finalConfiguration",
"inputs": {
"documentType": "SSMDocument",
"documentPath": "yourCustomFinalDocument",
"finallyStep": true
}
}
]
}
```
------
## `aws:applications`
Install, repair, or uninstall applications on an EC2 instance. This plugin only runs on Windows Server operating systems.
### Syntax
#### Schema 2.2
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
schemaVersion: '2.2'
description: aws:applications plugin
parameters:
source:
description: "(Required) Source of msi."
type: String
mainSteps:
- action: aws:applications
name: example
inputs:
action: Install
source: "{{ source }}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"schemaVersion":"2.2",
"description":"aws:applications",
"parameters":{
"source":{
"description":"(Required) Source of msi.",
"type":"String"
}
},
"mainSteps":[
{
"action":"aws:applications",
"name":"example",
"inputs":{
"action":"Install",
"source":"{{ source }}"
}
}
]
}
```
------
#### Schema 1.2
------
#### [ YAML ]
```
---
runtimeConfig:
aws:applications:
properties:
- id: 0.aws:applications
action: "{{ action }}"
parameters: "{{ parameters }}"
source: "{{ source }}"
sourceHash: "{{ sourceHash }}"
```
------
#### [ JSON ]
```
{
"runtimeConfig":{
"aws:applications":{
"properties":[
{
"id":"0.aws:applications",
"action":"{{ action }}",
"parameters":"{{ parameters }}",
"source":"{{ source }}",
"sourceHash":"{{ sourceHash }}"
}
]
}
}
}
```
------
### Properties
**action**
The action to take.
Type: Enum
Valid values: `Install` \$1 `Repair` \$1 `Uninstall`
Required: Yes
**parameters**
The parameters for the installer.
Type: String
Required: No
**source**
The URL of the `.msi` file for the application.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**sourceHash**
The SHA256 hash of the `.msi` file.
Type: String
Required: No
## `aws:cloudWatch`
Export data from Windows Server to Amazon CloudWatch or Amazon CloudWatch Logs and monitor the data using CloudWatch metrics. This plugin only runs on Windows Server operating systems. For more information about configuring CloudWatch integration with Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), see [Collecting metrics, logs, and traces with the CloudWatch agent](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/monitoring/Install-CloudWatch-Agent.html) in the *Amazon CloudWatch User Guide*.
**Important**
The unified CloudWatch agent has replaced SSM Agent as the tool for sending log data to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. The SSM Agent aws:cloudWatch plugin is not supported. We recommend using only the unified CloudWatch agent for your log collection processes. For more information, see the following topics:
[Sending node logs to unified CloudWatch Logs (CloudWatch agent)](monitoring-cloudwatch-agent.md)
[Migrate Windows Server node log collection to the CloudWatch agent](monitoring-cloudwatch-agent.md#monitoring-cloudwatch-agent-migrate)
[Collecting metrics, logs, and traces with the CloudWatch agent](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonCloudWatch/latest/monitoring/Install-CloudWatch-Agent.html) in the *Amazon CloudWatch User Guide*.
You can export and monitor the following data types:
**ApplicationEventLog**
Sends application event log data to CloudWatch Logs.
**CustomLogs**
Sends any text-based log file to Amazon CloudWatch Logs. The CloudWatch plugin creates a fingerprint for log files. The system then associates a data offset with each fingerprint. The plugin uploads files when there are changes, records the offset, and associates the offset with a fingerprint. This method is used to avoid a situation where a user turns on the plugin, associates the service with a directory that contains a large number of files, and the system uploads all of the files.
Be aware that if your application truncates or attempts to clean logs during polling, any logs specified for `LogDirectoryPath` can lose entries. If, for example, you want to limit log file size, create a new log file when that limit is reached, and then continue writing data to the new file.
**ETW**
Sends Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) data to CloudWatch Logs.
**IIS**
Sends IIS log data to CloudWatch Logs.
**PerformanceCounter**
Sends Windows performance counters to CloudWatch. You can select different categories to upload to CloudWatch as metrics. For each performance counter that you want to upload, create a **PerformanceCounter** section with a unique ID (for example, "PerformanceCounter2", "PerformanceCounter3", and so on) and configure its properties.
If the AWS Systems Manager SSM Agent or the CloudWatch plugin is stopped, performance counter data isn't logged in CloudWatch. This behavior is different than custom logs or Windows Event logs. Custom logs and Windows Event logs preserve performance counter data and upload it to CloudWatch after SSM Agent or the CloudWatch plugin is available.
**SecurityEventLog**
Sends security event log data to CloudWatch Logs.
**SystemEventLog**
Sends system event log data to CloudWatch Logs.
You can define the following destinations for the data:
**CloudWatch**
The destination where your performance counter metric data is sent. You can add more sections with unique IDs (for example, "CloudWatch2", CloudWatch3", and so on), and specify a different Region for each new ID to send the same data to different locations.
**CloudWatchLogs**
The destination where your log data is sent. You can add more sections with unique IDs (for example, "CloudWatchLogs2", CloudWatchLogs3", and so on), and specify a different Region for each new ID to send the same data to different locations.
### Syntax
```
"runtimeConfig":{
"aws:cloudWatch":{
"settings":{
"startType":"{{ status }}"
},
"properties":"{{ properties }}"
}
}
```
### Settings and properties
**AccessKey**
Your access key ID. This property is required unless you launched your instance using an IAM role. This property can't be used with SSM.
Type: String
Required: No
**CategoryName**
The performance counter category from Performance Monitor.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**CounterName**
The name of the performance counter from Performance Monitor.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**CultureName**
The locale where the timestamp is logged. If **CultureName** is blank, it defaults to the same locale used by your Windows Server instance.
Type: String
Valid values: For a list of supported values, see [National Language Support (NLS)](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc233982.aspx) on the Microsoft website. The **div**, **div-MV**, **hu**, and **hu-HU** values aren't supported.
Required: No
**DimensionName**
A dimension for your Amazon CloudWatch metric. If you specify `DimensionName`, you must specify `DimensionValue`. These parameters provide another view when listing metrics. You can use the same dimension for multiple metrics so that you can view all metrics belonging to a specific dimension.
Type: String
Required: No
**DimensionValue**
A dimension value for your Amazon CloudWatch metric.
Type: String
Required: No
**Encoding**
The file encoding to use (for example, UTF-8). Use the encoding name, not the display name.
Type: String
Valid values: For a list of supported values, see [Encoding Class](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.text.encoding?view=net-7.0) in the Microsoft Learn Library.
Required: Yes
**Filter**
The prefix of log names. Leave this parameter blank to monitor all files.
Type: String
Valid values: For a list of supported values, see the [FileSystemWatcherFilter Property](http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.io.filesystemwatcher.filter.aspx) in the MSDN Library.
Required: No
**Flows**
Each data type to upload, along with the destination for the data (CloudWatch or CloudWatch Logs). For example, to send a performance counter defined under `"Id": "PerformanceCounter"` to the CloudWatch destination defined under `"Id": "CloudWatch"`, enter **"PerformanceCounter,CloudWatch"**. Similarly, to send the custom log, ETW log, and system log to the CloudWatch Logs destination defined under `"Id": "ETW"`, enter **"(ETW),CloudWatchLogs"**. In addition, you can send the same performance counter or log file to more than one destination. For example, to send the application log to two different destinations that you defined under `"Id": "CloudWatchLogs"` and `"Id": "CloudWatchLogs2"`, enter **"ApplicationEventLog,(CloudWatchLogs, CloudWatchLogs2)"**.
Type: String
Valid values (source): `ApplicationEventLog` \$1 `CustomLogs` \$1 `ETW` \$1 `PerformanceCounter` \$1 `SystemEventLog` \$1 `SecurityEventLog`
Valid values (destination): `CloudWatch` \$1 `CloudWatchLogs` \$1 `CloudWatch`*n* \$1 `CloudWatchLogs`*n*
Required: Yes
**FullName**
The full name of the component.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**Id**
Identifies the data source or destination. This identifier must be unique within the configuration file.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**InstanceName**
The name of the performance counter instance. Don't use an asterisk (\$1) to indicate all instances because each performance counter component only supports one metric. You can, however use **\$1Total**.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**Levels**
The types of messages to send to Amazon CloudWatch.
Type: String
Valid values:
+ **1** - Only error messages uploaded.
+ **2** - Only warning messages uploaded.
+ **4** - Only information messages uploaded.
You can add values together to include more than one type of message. For example, **3** means that error messages (**1**) and warning messages (**2**) are included. A value of **7** means that error messages (**1**), warning messages (**2**), and informational messages (**4**) are included.
Required: Yes
Windows Security Logs should set Levels to 7.
**LineCount**
The number of lines in the header to identify the log file. For example, IIS log files have virtually identical headers. You could enter **3**, which would read the first three lines of the log file's header to identify it. In IIS log files, the third line is the date and time stamp, which is different between log files.
Type: Integer
Required: No
**LogDirectoryPath**
For CustomLogs, the path where logs are stored on your EC2 instance. For IIS logs, the folder where IIS logs are stored for an individual site (for example, **C:\$1\$1inetpub\$1\$1logs\$1\$1LogFiles\$1\$1W3SVC*n***). For IIS logs, only W3C log format is supported. IIS, NCSA, and Custom formats aren't supported.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**LogGroup**
The name for your log group. This name is displayed on the **Log Groups** screen in the CloudWatch console.
Type: String
Required: Yes
**LogName**
The name of the log file.
1. To find the name of the log, in Event Viewer, in the navigation pane, select **Applications and Services Logs**.
1. In the list of logs, right-click the log you want to upload (for example, `Microsoft` > `Windows` > `Backup` > `Operational`), and then select **Create Custom View**.
1. In the **Create Custom View** dialog box, select the **XML** tab. The **LogName** is in the