Introducing an enhanced in-console editing experience for AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is introducing a new code editing experience in the AWS console based on the popular Code-OSS, Visual Studio Code Open Source code editor. This brings the familiar Visual Studio Code interface and many of the features directly into the Lambda console, allowing developers to use their preferred coding environment and tools in the cloud. The Lambda Code Editor displays larger function package sizes and also integrates with Amazon Q Developer. This is an AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time suggestions and insights to help you write, understand, and troubleshoot your Lambda functions more efficiently.

Overview

Visual Studio Code is the most popular IDE among developers according to the 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. Integrating Code-OSS into the Lambda Console brings a familiar, accessible, and customizable interface to the in-browser code editing capabilities. This provides a coding experience that is substantially similar to working with function code locally. You can install selected extensions, apply preferred themes and settings, and use your familiar keyboard shortcuts and coding preferences.

The new editing experience is included as part of the standard Lambda service, at no extra cost.

Accessibility

The update also addresses important accessibility needs. With features like high color contrast, keyboard-only navigation, and screen reader support, the Code-OSS integration ensures an inclusive and accessible coding experience for all developers.

Differences from Visual Studio Code IDE

The Lambda console’s Code-OSS integration complements, rather than fully replaces, local development workflows. You can view and edit function code that uses an interpreted language, not compiled languages, which is consistent with the previous Lambda console. The terminal window is also unavailable in Code-OSS.

AWS Toolkit for Visual Studio Code extensions

Deeper integration with the AWS Toolkit for VS Code extension provides access to a subset of AWS specific functionality, including Q Developer. This ensures that the Lambda code editing experience benefits from additional developer tooling enhancements provided through the AWS Toolkit.

Larger package sizes

With Lambda, the total package size for ZIP-based functions, including code and libraries, cannot exceed 50 MB. Previously Lambda imposed a 3MB limit for editing code in the console. Now you are able to view function package sizes up to 50 MB in the console, however, there is still a single file limit of 3 MB. This allows you to view function code even when you have larger dependencies.

Using the new features

Viewing code

To experience the new Lambda Code Editor, log into the AWS Management Console and navigate to the Lambda service. Create a new function or edit an existing one. The new Lambda Code Editor is ready to use, with no additional setup required.

This example shows editing an existing function, viewing the function code in the familiar Code-OSS editor.

Viewing function code in the Lambda Code Editor

Previously, the code was not viewable as the code package size was greater than 3 MB. The update allows you to view larger files. The following image shows a package size of 13.3 MB and the Code-OSS editor allows editing of the function handler.

Viewing larger package size

Environment variables

In the left pane, the environment variables are viewable for the function. Select the pencil icon to edit, add, and remove environment variables.

Viewing and editing environment variables

Creating test events

The new split-screen view allows you to test your function and see your code and test results side-by-side, simplifying test event configuration.

1. Select Create test event to open the panel.


Creating test event

You can create Private test events or Shareable test events for other builders to use with access to the account.

2. Generate an event using an event template for the Amazon API Gateway HTTP API event trigger that the function uses. Save the test event.


Creating API Gateway test event

Invoke function

3. Invoke the function by selecting the Invoke button

The function results appear in the Output panel, consistent with the local VS Code IDE experience.

Function invoke result

The function logs appear below the output.

Viewing function logs

This view allows you to view and edit your code, generate and use test events, and invoke your function, all visible within the familiar Lambda Code Editor interface.

Live Tail Logs

Lambda now natively supports Amazon CloudWatch Logs Live Tail. This is an interactive log streaming and analytics capability, which allows you to view and analyze your Lambda function logs in real time.

1. Select the Run and Debug icon in the Activity Bar on the left-hand side of the code editor in the Code tab.
2. Select Open CloudWatch Live Tail. This opens the CloudWatch Logs Live Tail bottom drawer.
3. Select Start to start a Live Tail session and view your Lambda function logs stream in real time.
4. Alternatively, navigate to the Test tab and select CloudWatch Logs Live Tail to start a Live Tail session.

CloudWatch Logs Live Tail

Keyboard shortcuts

In the left pane Extensions dialog, you can see the keyboard shortcuts are installed by default.

Viewing installed extensions

Select the Manage gear icon which shows which aspects are configurable.

Viewing configuration options

The Keyboard shortcuts dialog allows you to view and change the shortcuts.

Amending keyboard shortcuts

Command Palette

Viewing the Command Palette shows available commands.

Viewing Command Palette

Configuration settings

The Settings panel allows you to configure the Lambda Code Editor to match your local IDE environment if required.

Viewing Settings panel

Navigate to Themes | Color Themes to customize the theme, including dark mode.

Lambda Console Editor dark mode

Downloading function code and template

It is now easier to download the function code and an AWS Serverless Application Model (AWS SAM) template which represents the Cloudformation resources required to set up the function, policies, and triggers. This allows you to start in the console and more easily move to using infrastructure as code, which is a serverless best practice.

1. Navigate to the Activity Bar Run and Debug section.
2. Select Download code and SAM template.
3. Extract the .zip file and open the folder in your local VS Code IDE.

You can continue to edit the function in your local IDE experience, which is consistent with the Lambda Console Editor.

Local VS Code IDE to continue working on function

Using your local IDE terminal or AWS Toolkit for VS Code, you can update the existing function. You can also use AWS SAM functionality to build and deploy the template as a Cloudformation stack to the cloud.

Using Amazon Q

The Amazon Q Developer AI assistant integrates directly into the code editor. This reduces the need to consult external documentation or tutorials, streamlining your development workflow.

Amazon Q provides inline suggestions or by using keyboard shortcuts for common actions you take, such as initiating Amazon Q or accepting a recommendation.

This example below adds more functionality to a new Lambda function to download an object from S3 with the help of Amazon Q. Enter a comment explaining the functionality you need.

Asking Amazon Q a question

Select tab to accept the suggestion.

Accepting an Amazon Q suggestion

You can continue to invoke Q manually to keep adding more code suggestions.

Continue adding functionality with Amazon Q

Conclusion

Lambda is introducing a new AWS console code editing experience based on the popular Code-OSS, Visual Studio Code Open Source code editor. This brings the familiar VS Code IDE interface and features directly into the Lambda console so you can use your preferred coding environment and tools in the cloud. Invoke your function using a new split-screen view to see your code and test results side-by-side, simplifying test event configuration.

The code editor displays larger function package sizes, makes environment variables more visible, and also integrates with Amazon Q Developer. This provides real-time suggestions and insights to help you write, understand, and troubleshoot your Lambda functions more efficiently.

For more serverless learning resources, visit Serverless Land.