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At the moment, we’re saying LocalStack integration within the AWS Toolkit for Visible Studio Code that makes it simpler than ever for builders to check and debug serverless purposes regionally. This enhancement builds upon our current enhancements to the AWS Lambda improvement expertise, together with the console to IDE integration and distant debugging capabilities we launched in July 2025, persevering with our dedication to simplify serverless improvement on Amazon Net Providers (AWS).
When constructing serverless purposes, builders usually give attention to three key areas to streamline their testing expertise: unit testing, integration testing, and debugging assets working within the cloud. Though AWS Serverless Utility Mannequin Command Line Interface (AWS SAM CLI) gives glorious native unit testing capabilities for particular person Lambda features, builders working with event-driven architectures that contain a number of AWS providers, corresponding to Amazon Easy Queue Service (Amazon SQS), Amazon EventBridge, and Amazon DynamoDB, want a complete answer for native integration testing. Though LocalStack supplied native emulation of AWS providers, builders needed to beforehand handle it as a standalone instrument, requiring complicated configuration and frequent context switching between a number of interfaces, which slowed down the event cycle.
LocalStack integration in AWS Toolkit for VS Code
To handle these challenges, we’re introducing LocalStack integration so builders can join AWS Toolkit for VS Code on to LocalStack endpoints. With this integration, builders can check and debug serverless purposes with out switching between instruments or managing complicated LocalStack setups. Builders can now emulate end-to-end event-driven workflows involving providers corresponding to Lambda, Amazon SQS, and EventBridge regionally, without having to handle a number of instruments, carry out complicated endpoint configurations, or cope with service boundary points that beforehand required connecting to cloud assets.
The important thing advantage of this integration is that AWS Toolkit for VS Code can now connect with customized endpoints corresponding to LocalStack, one thing that wasn’t attainable earlier than. Beforehand, to level AWS Toolkit for VS Code to their LocalStack surroundings, builders needed to carry out handbook configuration and context switching between instruments.
Getting began with LocalStack in VS Code is simple. Builders can start with the LocalStack Free model, which gives native emulation for core AWS providers best for early-stage improvement and testing. Utilizing the guided utility walkthrough in VS Code, builders can set up LocalStack immediately from the toolkit interface, which mechanically installs the LocalStack extension and guides them by means of the setup course of. When it’s configured, builders can deploy serverless purposes on to the emulated surroundings and check their features regionally, all with out leaving their IDE.
Let’s strive it out
First, I’ll replace my copy of the AWS Toolkit for VS Code to the newest model. As soon as, I’ve performed this, I can see a brand new possibility once I go to Utility Builder and click on on Walkthrough of Utility Builder. This permits me to put in LocalStack with a single click on.
As soon as I’ve accomplished the setup for LocalStack, I can begin it up from the standing bar after which I’ll be capable to choose LocalStack from the listing of my configured AWS profiles. On this illustration, I’m utilizing Utility Composer to construct a easy serverless structure utilizing Amazon API Gateway, Lambda, and DynamoDB. Usually, I’d deploy this to AWS utilizing AWS SAM. On this case, I’m going to make use of the identical AWS SAM command to deploy my stack regionally.
I simply do `sam deploy –guided –profile localstack` from the command line and observe the same old prompts. Deploying to LocalStack utilizing AWS SAM CLI gives the very same expertise I’m used to when deploying to AWS. Within the screenshot beneath, I can see the usual output from AWS SAM, in addition to my new LocalStack assets listed within the AWS Toolkit Explorer.
I may even go in to a Lambda operate and edit the operate code I’ve deployed regionally!
Over on the LocalStack web site, I can login and check out all of the assets I’ve working regionally. Within the screenshot beneath, you’ll be able to see the native DynamoDB desk I simply deployed.
Enhanced improvement workflow
These new capabilities complement our lately launched console-to-IDE integration and distant debugging options, making a complete improvement expertise that addresses completely different testing wants all through the event lifecycle. AWS SAM CLI gives glorious native testing for particular person Lambda features, dealing with unit testing situations successfully. For integration testing, the LocalStack integration permits testing of multiservice workflows regionally with out the complexity of AWS Id and Entry Administration (IAM) permissions, Amazon Digital Non-public Cloud (Amazon VPC) configurations, or service boundary points that may decelerate improvement velocity.
When builders want to check utilizing AWS providers in improvement environments, they’ll use our distant debugging capabilities, which offer full entry to Amazon VPC assets and IAM roles. This tiered method frees up builders to give attention to enterprise logic throughout early improvement phases utilizing LocalStack, then seamlessly transition to cloud-based testing when they should validate towards AWS service behaviors and configurations. The mixing eliminates the necessity to swap between a number of instruments and environments, so builders can determine and repair points quicker whereas sustaining the flexibleness to decide on the proper testing method for his or her particular wants.
Now out there
You can begin utilizing these new options by means of the AWS Toolkit for VS Code by updating to v3.74.0. The LocalStack integration is on the market in all business AWS Areas besides AWS GovCloud (US) Areas. To study extra, go to the AWS Toolkit for VS Code and Lambda documentation.
For builders who want broader service protection or superior capabilities, LocalStack presents extra tiers with expanded options. There aren’t any extra prices from AWS for utilizing this integration.
These enhancements signify one other important step ahead in our ongoing dedication to simplifying the serverless improvement expertise. Over the previous 12 months, we’ve targeted on making VS Code the instrument of alternative for serverless builders, and this LocalStack integration continues that journey by offering instruments for builders to construct and check serverless purposes extra effectively than ever earlier than.
