aws-well-architected

Review AWS architectures and infrastructure-as-code against Well-Architected best practices.

1|Updated Mar 7, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/kayaman/skills --skill aws-well-architected-kayaman
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: aws-well-architected
Source: https://github.com/kayaman/skills/tree/main/skills/aws-well-architected
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/kayaman/skills --skill aws-well-architected-kayaman

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Provides a structured, actionable framework to reduce risk and technical debt when designing, reviewing, or operating AWS-based systems by ensuring security, reliability, performance, cost efficiency, operational excellence, and sustainability are addressed.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Pillar-based guidance: Detailed rules and design principles for Operational Excellence, Security, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, Cost Optimization, and Sustainability.
  • Architecture review checklist: A practical checklist to use when proposing or approving AWS changes and when reviewing pull requests that touch infrastructure.
  • Trade-offs and references: Advice for balancing competing priorities (e.g., cost vs. reliability) and links to deeper reference material for each pillar.

Quick Start

Apply the aws-well-architected guidance to review a proposed AWS architecture or IaC change and produce a prioritized list of recommended fixes across security, reliability, performance, cost, and sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions about aws-well-architected

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I review AWS architecture for security and cost optimization gaps?

Review AWS architecture by applying Well-Architected pillar checks across security, reliability, performance, cost, operational excellence, and sustainability to identify gaps. The framework produces a prioritized list of recommended fixes, verifying least-privilege IAM, encryption, and multi-AZ reliability.

Can I use Well-Architected best practices to review infrastructure-as-code pull requests?

Yes, you can review infrastructure-as-code pull requests using Well-Architected best practices. The framework provides an architecture review checklist to apply when reviewing CDK, CloudFormation, or Terraform changes that touch cloud infrastructure, ensuring security and reliability rules are enforced.

What is the best way to enforce least-privilege IAM and encryption in AWS?

The best way to enforce least-privilege IAM and encryption is by applying AWS Well-Architected security pillar rules during solution design and code review. This verifies encryption in transit and at rest, alongside observability requirements like logs, metrics, and traces.

How do I balance cost optimization and reliability when selecting AWS services?

Balance cost and reliability by using Well-Architected trade-off guidance when selecting AWS services. The framework advises on balancing competing priorities, verifying cost tagging and budgets while maintaining multi-AZ reliability and providing sustainability right-sizing recommendations.

Does the AWS Well-Architected framework cover sustainability and right-sizing?

Yes, the AWS Well-Architected framework covers sustainability and right-sizing. It includes a dedicated Sustainability pillar that provides design principles and specific right-sizing recommendations to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance efficiency.

When do I need an architecture review checklist for AWS infrastructure changes?

You need an architecture review checklist when proposing or approving AWS changes and reviewing pull requests. It provides structured rules to reduce technical debt, ensuring operational excellence, security, and reliability gaps are addressed before deploying cloud infrastructure.