Automate Processes with the Atlas CLI
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To automate a process with the Atlas CLI in a script, use the following resources and best practices as guidance.
To learn how to connect to the Atlas CLI programmatically, see the Programmatic User tabs on Connect from the Atlas CLI.
Resources for Automation with the Atlas CLI
Resource | Objective |
|---|---|
Set environment variables that you can define once and use across all of your scripts. | |
Use Go templates or JSON paths to customize the output from the Atlas CLI. You can include the anticipated custom output in your scripts. |
Best Practices for Automation with the Atlas CLI
Follow these best practices when you automate processes with the Atlas CLI:
Use Atlas Private Keys
When you create a script to automate processes, we recommend that you use Atlas private keys to access Atlas. Atlas CLI login sessions last for twelve hours, after which you must login again to access Atlas. Use Atlas private keys for continued access to Atlas.
Base Your Script on the Version of the Atlas CLI that You Run
When you create a script to automate processes, you should base the script on the version of the Atlas CLI that you currently run. Don't build automatic upgrades for the Atlas CLI into your script because new Atlas CLI releases could introduce breaking changes, which could break your automated processes.
Instead, check release notes for deprecated features and breaking changes before you manually upgrade your version of the Atlas CLI.
Redirect stderr
The Atlas CLI prints error messages and command deprecation
warnings in the output for commands. These unanticipated error messages
and warnings can cause issues for your automated processes that
anticipate a specific output. To prevent issues, you can redirect
stderr to an output file in your script.
For example, the following command redirects the stderr output from
a script called myScript.sh to a text file called error.txt:
myScript.sh 2> error.txt
In the previous example, all error messages and deprecation warnings
are stored in error.txt and don't display in the output, so
they don't disrupt your automated processes.
Command deprecation messages are similar to the following text:
Command "describe" is deprecated, Please use atlas privateEndpoints aws interfaces describe <atlasPrivateEndpointId> [--privateEndpointId privateEndpointID] [--projectId projected]
Update Scripts Regularly
You should regularly update your scripts to discontinue use of deprecated commands because they will be removed in future releases. You can learn which commands are deprecated from the Atlas CLI Changelog. If you set up a redirect file for stderr, you can also check that file for deprecation warnings.