aws-iam-generator

The aws-iam-generator tool addresses the complex challenge of managing IAM resources across multiple AWS accounts by automating the generation of IAM users, groups, roles, and managed policies from a centralized YAML configuration and Jinja2 templates.

Technically, the tool relies on a Python interpreter with specific libraries installed, which can be managed via pip or encapsulated within a Docker container for portability. The configuration is defined in a YAML file, allowing for easy management and versioning of IAM resources. Jinja2 templates are used to generate the necessary CloudFormation templates, policy documents, and role definitions. This approach enables consistent and scalable IAM management across multiple accounts.

Operationally, the tool requires careful consideration of the directory structure and volume mounting when running within a Docker container. For example, you need to map local directories for configuration, policy documents, and output to the corresponding directories within the container. This ensures that the generated CloudFormation templates and policy documents are correctly placed and accessible.

Key technical details include the use of IAM policy statements defined in the JSON format, adhering to the AWS IAM policy structure. The tool supports various actions and resources, such as sts:AssumeRole, cloudformation:*, and S3 bucket operations, which are crucial for multi-account setups. However, it is important to note that the tool's scalability and performance may be limited by the complexity of the YAML configurations and the number of accounts being managed, as well as any potential limitations in the underlying CloudFormation service.