Updating and deleting stacks in AWS - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

Sometimes you need to change or remove your cloud resources after creating them. Updating stacks lets you change settings or add features. Deleting stacks removes all resources to keep things clean.

When you want to add a new server or database to your existing cloud setup

When you need to fix a mistake in your cloud resource configuration

When you want to remove all resources related to a project you finished

When you want to save money by deleting unused cloud resources

When you want to upgrade your application by changing its infrastructure

Config File - stack-template.yaml

stack-template.yaml

AWSTemplateFormatVersion: '2010-09-09'
Description: Simple stack with an S3 bucket
Resources:
  MyBucket:
    Type: 'AWS::S3::Bucket'
    Properties:
      BucketName: example-stack-bucket-12345

This file defines a simple cloud stack with one S3 bucket named example-stack-bucket-12345. The Resources section lists what cloud resources to create. This template is used to create, update, or delete the stack.

Commands

This command creates a new stack named 'example-stack' using the template file. It sets up the resources defined in the template.

Terminal

aws cloudformation create-stack --stack-name example-stack --template-body file://stack-template.yaml

Expected Output

An error occurred (AlreadyExistsException) when calling the CreateStack operation: Stack [example-stack] already exists

→

--stack-name - Names the stack to create

→

--template-body - Specifies the template file to use

This command updates the existing stack 'example-stack' with any changes in the template file. Use this to change or add resources.

Terminal

aws cloudformation update-stack --stack-name example-stack --template-body file://stack-template.yaml

Expected Output

Waiting for stack update to complete...

Successfully updated stack example-stack

→

--stack-name - Specifies which stack to update

→

--template-body - Template file with updated resource definitions

This command deletes the stack named 'example-stack' and all its resources. Use this to clean up when you no longer need the stack.

Terminal

aws cloudformation delete-stack --stack-name example-stack

Expected Output

No output (command runs silently)

→

--stack-name - Specifies which stack to delete

This command checks the status of the stack 'example-stack' to confirm if it still exists or was deleted.

Terminal

aws cloudformation describe-stacks --stack-name example-stack

Expected Output

An error occurred (ValidationError) when calling the DescribeStacks operation: Stack with id example-stack does not exist

→

--stack-name - Specifies which stack to describe

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: update stacks to change resources and delete stacks to remove them completely.

Common Mistakes

Trying to create a stack with a name that already exists

AWS CloudFormation does not allow duplicate stack names, so creation fails

Use update-stack to change an existing stack or delete the old stack before creating a new one

Not waiting for the update or delete operation to finish before running other commands

Commands may fail or show outdated information if the stack is still changing

Wait for the operation to complete or use wait commands to check status before proceeding

Deleting a stack without confirming you no longer need its resources

You lose all resources and data in the stack permanently

Double-check the stack contents and backup any important data before deleting

Summary

Use 'aws cloudformation update-stack' to change resources in an existing stack.

Use 'aws cloudformation delete-stack' to remove all resources and the stack itself.

Check stack status with 'aws cloudformation describe-stacks' to confirm changes or deletion.