Skip to content

create server

Launch a small EC2 instance you can reach with SSM Session Manager — no SSH keys, closed security group.

bash
awsutopia create server <name> [--image ubuntu-24] [--size small] [--dry-run] [--json]

What you'll get

  • EC2 in the default VPC (first subnet)
  • Instance type from --size (smallt3.micro)
  • AMI from --image (ubuntu-24 via Canonical’s public SSM parameter)
  • IAM instance profile with AmazonSSMManagedInstanceCore
  • Security group with no inbound rules (egress left open for SSM / updates)
  • Utopia tags so list / connect / destroy can find it
  • A static cost hint (never a fake live dollar amount)
bash
awsutopia create server web --image ubuntu-24 --size small
# wait a minute for SSM to go Online, then:
awsutopia connect web
FlagDefaultNotes
--imageubuntu-24Alias → public AMI parameter
--sizesmallsmall / medium / large
--dry-runoffPlan only — no AWS mutations

No KeyName is set. Don’t open port 22 — use connect / ssh (SSM alias).

Next

Shell in with connect, tear down with destroy server.

Working name — your AWS account, your bill.