How to Install DynamoDB Local Quickly and Easily

To install DynamoDB Local, download the latest version from the official AWS website as a .zip file, then unzip it to a folder. Run it using java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb to start the local server.

Syntax

The basic command to run DynamoDB Local is:

java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb

Explanation:

• java: Runs the Java Virtual Machine.
• -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib: Sets the path to native libraries needed by DynamoDB Local.
• -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar: Runs the DynamoDB Local jar file.
• -sharedDb: Optional flag to use a single database file instead of separate files per credential.

bash

java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb

Example

This example shows how to download, unzip, and run DynamoDB Local on your machine.

bash

curl -O https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/dynamodb-local/dynamodb_local_latest.zip
unzip dynamodb_local_latest.zip -d dynamodb_local
cd dynamodb_local
java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb

Output

Initializing DynamoDB Local with the following configuration:
Port: 8000
InMemory: false
DbPath: null
SharedDb: true
DynamoDB Local started, listening on port 8000

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when installing DynamoDB Local include:

• Not having Java installed or using an incompatible Java version (Java 8 or newer is required).
• Forgetting to set the -Djava.library.path to the DynamoDBLocal_lib folder, causing native library errors.
• Running the command from the wrong directory where DynamoDBLocal.jar is not located.
• Not unzipping the downloaded file properly, leading to missing files.

bash

java -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar
# Wrong: Missing -Djava.library.path causes error

java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb
# Correct: Includes native library path

Quick Reference

Step	Command / Action
1	Download DynamoDB Local zip from AWS official site
2	Unzip the file to a folder
3	Open terminal and navigate to the folder
4	Run: java -Djava.library.path=./DynamoDBLocal_lib -jar DynamoDBLocal.jar -sharedDb
5	Access DynamoDB Local at http://localhost:8000

Key Takeaways

Download DynamoDB Local zip from the official AWS site and unzip it.

Run DynamoDB Local with Java including the native library path option.

Ensure Java 8 or newer is installed before running DynamoDB Local.

Use the -sharedDb flag to simplify database file management.

Run commands from the directory where DynamoDBLocal.jar is located.