Amazon Web Services has introduced a new deployment option for its CloudFormation service, called express mode, designed to reduce the time required to complete infrastructure deployments. The feature marks stack operations as finished once resource configuration has been applied, instead of waiting for full resource stabilization. The announcement was made by Renato Losio.
How Express Mode Works
In standard CloudFormation deployments, the service waits for resources to reach a fully stabilized state before marking a stack operation as complete. This process can take several minutes, particularly for resources that require time to initialize or become healthy. Express mode bypasses this waiting period by considering an operation complete as soon as the configuration has been applied, regardless of the resource’s current state.
This change applies to stack create, update, and delete operations. Users can select the express mode option when creating or updating a stack through the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or SDKs.
Implications for Developers and Operations Teams
The primary benefit of express mode is faster feedback for developers and operators who deploy infrastructure frequently. By reducing the time to completion, teams can iterate more quickly during development and testing phases. However, AWS cautions that resources may not be fully functional or accessible immediately after the operation is marked complete.
For production environments where resource stability is critical, standard mode remains the recommended option. Express mode is best suited for non-production workflows, such as staging or development environments, where speed is prioritized over immediate availability.
Availability and Support
Express mode is available for all AWS regions where CloudFormation is supported. The feature works with any resource type that the service supports, though AWS notes that certain resources may still require stabilization delays depending on their configuration. Users can switch between express and standard modes on a per-stack basis.
No additional charges apply for using express mode. Standard CloudFormation pricing remains in effect.
AWS has not provided a specific timeline for future enhancements to express mode. The company is encouraging users to test the feature in non-critical environments and provide feedback through existing support channels. Further updates may include expanded compatibility with additional resource types or integration with other AWS services.
