Deploy containers on Arm-based compute using Amazon ECS and the AWS CDK
Introduction
Create a sample AWS CDK application
Synthesize and deploy the sample AWS CDK application
Next Steps

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About this Learning Path

Skill level:  Introductory
Reading time:  45 min
Last updated:  29 Jun 2026
Skill level:
  Introductory
Reading time:
  45 min
Last updated:
  29 Jun 2026
Author:Anupras Mohapatra, Arm
Arm IP:Neoverse
Tags: Containers and Virtualization AWS Linux AWS CDK CLI Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS) AWS CLI Node.js JavaScript
Author:
  • Anupras Mohapatra, Arm
Arm IP:
Neoverse
Tags:
Containers and Virtualization AWS Linux AWS CDK CLI Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS) AWS CLI Node.js JavaScript

Who is this for?

This is an introductory topic for software developers who want to use the AWS Cloud Development Kit (AWS CDK) to deploy containerized applications on Arm-based AWS infrastructure.

What will you learn?

Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:

  • Create an example AWS CDK application in JavaScript
  • Define AWS infrastructure using the AWS CDK
  • Deploy application resources on Arm-based AWS compute using Amazon ECS and the AWS CDK

Prerequisites

Before starting, you will need the following:

  • An Amazon Web Services (AWS) account
  • A local computer with the AWS CLI, AWS CDK CLI, and Node.js installed, with AWS credentials configured.
  • Familiarity with the Linux command line and JavaScript

Summary

AI-assisted

This summary was drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

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You’ll define and deploy a containerized application to Arm-based AWS compute using the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK). First, you’ll create a JavaScript CDK application that provisions an Amazon ECS service running on Arm-based AWS Fargate. You’ll then synthesize the application to a CloudFormation template, review the generated output in cdk.out/ArmCdkAppStack.template.json, bootstrap the environment, and deploy the stack. By following the steps, your infrastructure and service definition target Arm-based compute powered by AWS Graviton, using the CDK to manage application resources end-to-end.

Frequently asked questions

AI-assisted

These FAQs were drafted with an approved AI-assisted workflow and reviewed by Arm contributors before publication. Human technical review remains part of the process so the final page reflects engineering rigor, accuracy, and Arm editorial standards.

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How do I confirm the AWS CDK CLI is installed before starting?
Run cdk --version. A version string should print to the terminal.
From which directory should I run the synthesis step?
Run the synthesis command from the project directory created for the sample CDK app. The generated template appears under cdk.out.
What file should be produced after synthesis, and where is it located?
You should see a CloudFormation template named cdk.out/ArmCdkAppStack.template.json. This is the synthesized output the CDK uses for deployment.
Do I need to bootstrap before deploying the stack?
Yes. After synthesis, bootstrap the environment so the CDK can create required deployment resources. When bootstrapping completes without errors, proceed to deploy.
How do I know the ECS service is configured for Arm-based AWS Fargate?
The sample CDK application defines an ECS service running on Arm-based AWS Fargate compute. Use the provided definitions and deploy the stack to apply those settings.
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