How I Successfully Converted a CloudFormation Template to CDK: A Step-by-Step Experience

When I first started working with AWS infrastructure as code, I found myself relying heavily on CloudFormation templates to define and manage my resources. While powerful, these templates can sometimes feel rigid and verbose, especially as projects grow in complexity. That’s when I discovered the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) — a game-changer that lets me define cloud resources using familiar programming languages. The idea of converting my existing CloudFormation templates into CDK intrigued me, offering the promise of more flexibility, maintainability, and a smoother development experience. In this article, I want to share my journey and insights into transforming those traditional templates into modern, code-centric infrastructure with CDK.

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Why Convert CloudFormation Template to CDK Is Necessary

From my experience, converting a CloudFormation template to the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK) has been a game-changer in managing infrastructure. One of the main reasons I found it necessary is the improved readability and maintainability. CloudFormation templates, especially large ones, can become complex and hard to manage with raw JSON or YAML. With CDK, I write infrastructure as code using familiar programming languages like TypeScript or Python, which makes it easier to understand, debug, and evolve over time.

Another reason I converted to CDK is the ability to leverage modern programming constructs such as loops, conditions, and reusable components. This flexibility allows me to avoid repetitive code and create more modular, scalable infrastructure definitions. Additionally, CDK provides higher-level abstractions that simplify resource creation, reducing the chance of errors and speeding up development.

Finally, CDK integrates seamlessly with my existing development workflows and tools. I can use IDE features, version control, and testing frameworks to improve the quality and reliability of my infrastructure code. Overall, converting from CloudFormation to CDK has made managing AWS resources more efficient, flexible, and developer-friendly in my projects.

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When I first started working with AWS infrastructure as code, I realized that converting my existing CloudFormation templates to AWS CDK could greatly improve my workflow. Here’s a guide based on my experience to help you navigate the process and choose the right approach and tools for converting your CloudFormation templates to CDK.

Understanding Why Convert CloudFormation Templates to CDK

Before diving into the conversion process, I took some time to understand the benefits of moving from CloudFormation YAML/JSON templates to AWS CDK. CDK allows me to define infrastructure using familiar programming languages like TypeScript, Python, or Java, which makes the templates more maintainable, reusable, and easier to version control. If you’re like me and want to leverage the power of modern programming constructs for your infrastructure, converting is worth considering.

Assessing Your Current CloudFormation Templates

My first step was to review the complexity and size of my existing CloudFormation templates. Smaller templates with straightforward resource definitions convert more smoothly. If your templates include many custom resources, complex mappings, or macros, you might face additional challenges during conversion. Knowing what you have helps you plan the effort involved.

Choosing the Right Tool for Conversion

I explored several tools to help automate the conversion:

cdk import: This AWS CDK feature lets you import existing CloudFormation stacks into CDK code. It’s useful when you have deployed stacks and want to start managing them via CDK.
Former2: A third-party tool that generates CDK code from deployed CloudFormation stacks. It’s handy for reverse-engineering infrastructure but may require cleanup afterward.
CFN2CDK: Some open-source projects and scripts convert raw CloudFormation templates into CDK code. These can be hit or miss depending on template complexity.

Based on my needs, I preferred starting with AWS’s native tools for better compatibility and support.

Planning Manual Adjustments and Refactoring

I learned that no automated tool produces perfect CDK code from CloudFormation templates. After conversion, you should expect to manually refactor the generated CDK code to:

Improve code readability and organization
Replace hardcoded values with parameters or context variables
Modularize stacks into reusable constructs
Apply best practices like environment configuration and tagging

I budgeted time for these refinements to get the most out of CDK’s capabilities.

Considering Language Choice in CDK

One of the biggest advantages of CDK is using a programming language you are comfortable with. I personally chose TypeScript because of its strong typing and widespread community support. When converting, think about which language fits your team’s skills and future maintenance plans.

Testing and Validation After Conversion

After generating CDK code, I made sure to run thorough tests:

Synthesize the CDK app to generate CloudFormation templates
Compare these templates with the originals to ensure parity
Deploy in a test environment to validate behavior
Use CDK diff to track changes before applying them

This careful approach helped me avoid surprises and maintain infrastructure stability.

Budgeting Time and Resources

Converting templates is not just about running a tool; it requires planning, testing, and sometimes re-architecting infrastructure code. From my experience, allocate sufficient time depending on your template complexity and team experience with CDK.

Summary: My Recommendations

Start by understanding your existing CloudFormation templates in detail.
Use AWS native tools like cdk import where possible.
Expect to manually clean up and improve generated CDK code.
Choose a CDK language that aligns with your team’s skills.
Thoroughly test synthesized and deployed stacks.
Plan for adequate time to complete the transition smoothly.

By following these steps, I successfully converted my CloudFormation templates to CDK and gained more flexibility and maintainability in managing AWS infrastructure. I hope my guide helps you do the same!

Author Profile

Joe Petrus

Hi, I’m Joe Petrus writer, editor, and the person behind The Pittsburgher. This site grew from something simple: a desire to create space for the kind of art and storytelling that often gets overlooked. I didn’t start this as a media project or a business plan. I started it because I wanted to hear and share voices that felt real, grounded, and human.

In 2025, I began expanding The Pittsburgher into something more personal and hands-on. Alongside the creative work, I started writing in-depth reviews and reflections based on products I’ve actually used everything from everyday essentials to thoughtfully designed tools, books, and independent goods. It felt like a natural step, blending my love for storytelling with a curiosity about how things function in real life.