Posted On: Apr 5, 2021

Amazon Step Functions now supports YAML state machine definitions within Amazon CloudFormation, making it possible to define workflows in the same language as your infrastructure as code.

Amazon Step Functions allows you to build resilient serverless workflows using Amazon services such as Amazon Lambda, Amazon SNS, and Amazon DynamoDB. Amazon CloudFormation gives you an easy way to model Amazon resources such as state machines as infrastructure as code. Together, you can now deploy Step Functions state machine-based workflows using both YAML and JSON object format, providing you with greater choice in how you build your workflows.

Within your Amazon CloudFormation template, you can now define your state machine inline using the new ‘Definition’ parameter, allowing you to define your state machine in the language of your template. You can also place your JSON or YAML state machine in an S3 bucket and reference the file from your CloudFormation template, making it easier to partition your code.

You can get started by deploying the state machine using a CloudFormation template, either directly in the template, or as a file stored in S3. This feature is available in the Amazon Web Services China (Beijing) Region, operated by Sinnet and the Amazon Web Services China (Ningxia) Region, operated by NWCD.

To learn more about YAML CloudFormation support for Amazon Step Functions, view our documentation for Amazon Step Functions development options.