Generate access keys

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This document describes how to generate access keys. Access keys are used to access AWS Command Line Interface and connect integrated development environments, like PhpStorm.

You can only generate an access key for your own account. If you want to create another account and generate an access key for that account, contact support.

Generate an access key

  1. In the AWS Management Console navigation bar, click on your username > My Security Credentials. My security credentials button
  2. On the My security credentials page, click Create access key. Create access key button This opens the Create access key window with a success message displayed. Your access key has been generated.
  3. To download the access key, click Download .csv file. Download csv file button
  4. Optional: To check the access key in this window, click Show secret access key.

You’ve generated and downloaded your access key.

Generate temporary credentials for Multi-Factor Authentication

If your IAM user has Multi-Factor Authentication enabled, follow generate and use temporary credentials:

  1. Run aws configure and enter the permanent access and secret keys generated in the previous section.
  2. To fetch temporary credentials and export them to your terminal, follow How do I use the AWS CLI to authenticate access to AWS resources with an MFA token?.

Once you’ve completed the above steps, you should be able to access AWS resources with the AWS Command Line Interface.