aws ssm start-session

CautionSession Manager shell

aws ssm start-session --target <instance-id>

Shell into EC2 with no open SSH port, no keys, no bastion — and sessions are logged.

Examples

aws ssm start-session --target i-0abc123Open a session

Syntax

aws ssm start-session --target i-xxxx

Before you run it

Commands hit the instance directly.

Used when you see

Can't SSH into EC2

Use SSM Session Manager as the fallback doorWith the agent and role, you don't need SSH at all.

See the whole flow →

Related commands

aws ec2 describe-instancesList EC2
sshRemote shell

The same reference, with no signal at all

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