Skip to main content

Create Stacks

Stacks in StackGuardian enable the automation and sequencing of related workflows, with each workflow seamlessly passing its outputs as inputs to the next. The aws-full-stack example template streamlines the provisioning of an AWS Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) environment by orchestrating workflows to create a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), deploy an EKS cluster, configure managed node groups, and set up an Nginx service using Helm.

Steps to Create Stack​

Step 1: Navigate to the Workflow Groups​

  1. Go to Orchestrator > Workflow Groups in the sidebar.
  2. Click the "Stacks" tab, then "Create Stack" > "Use Dev Portal (Preview)" to begin.

Step 2: Search and Select the Template​

  1. In the Dev Portal preview, choose Template and search for aws-full-stack in the Search bar.
  2. Click "Use" to select the aws-full-stack template.

Step 3: Configure Stack Meta Details​

  1. Fill in the following fields:
    • Workflow Group Name: Select a workflow group from the dropdown.
    • Stack Name*: Provide a unique name for your stack.
    • Description: Add a brief description (e.g., AWS EKS full-stack deployment).
    • Add Tags: Enter tags to categorize the stack.
  2. (Optional) Enable Advanced Configuration to specify:
    • Runtime Environment: Set execution details and allocate resources.
    • Resources and Events: Configure deployment triggers.
  3. Click "Next: Variables".

Step 4: Configure Workflows​

The aws-full-stack template includes the following workflows:

  1. terraform-aws-vpc-stripped: Provisions a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) with subnets, route tables, and internet gateways.
    • Fields to Fill:
      • VPC Name: Enter a name for the VPC (e.g., aws-eks-vpc-demo).
      • Region: Select an AWS region based on your deployment:
        • For EU: Ireland (eu-west-1) or Frankfurt (eu-central-1)
        • For US: Ohio (us-east-2) or Oregon (us-west-2)

  1. terraform-aws-eks-stripped: Deploys an Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) cluster in AWS.
    • Fields to Fill:
      • Cluster Name: Provide a name for the EKS cluster (e.g., eks-cluster-demo).
      • Cluster Version: Select the Kubernetes version (e.g., 1.29).

  1. terraform-aws-eks-managed-node-group-stripped: Configures managed node groups for worker nodes in the EKS cluster. Use default values for all fields.

  2. helm_nginx: Deploys an Nginx service using Helm on the EKS cluster. Use default values for all fields.

Click "Next: Connector Env" after completing these configurations.

Step 5: Connect Your Deployment Environment​

  1. Select a pre-configured connector (e.g., aws-demo) or create a new one.
  2. Optionally, assign individual connectors to each workflow in the stack. Click "Next: Runtime Environment".

Step 6: Define the Runtime Environment​

  1. Configure execution behaviors, state management, lifecycle steps, and private runner integrations.
  2. Use pre-configured connectors or define new runtime variables as needed. Click "Next: Resources & Events".

Step 7: Configure Resources & Events​

  1. Add resources, execution schedules, and workflow chaining.
tip

For guidance on generating a Cron expression for your execution schedule, refer to this documentation:
Creating Cron Expressions for Scheduled Events

  1. Set webhook integrations for automated triggers. Click "Next: Meta".

Step 8: Finalize Workflow Meta Details​

  1. Fill in the following fields:
    • Workflow Name: Provide a unique name for the workflow.
    • Description: Add a brief description (e.g., AWS EKS full-stack deployment).
    • Add Tags: Categorize the workflow with tags.
  2. Click "Launch" to create and execute the stack.

Steps to Deploy Stack​

You have successfully created and deployed a stack using the aws-full-stack template. To learn how to update an existing stack, check out our guide on Updating Stacks.