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AWS CodePipeline

aws.amazon.com

From $1/mo Free plan WebAPI
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Spec score 8.3 #10 of 28 in Ci Cd Platforms

What it is

AWS CodePipeline is a cloud CI/CD service for modeling and automating application and infrastructure releases. Pipelines arrange build, test, and deployment actions into stages, and those actions can run in parallel. Source connections include AWS CodeCommit, GitHub, Amazon ECR, and Amazon S3. CodeBuild handles builds and unit tests; deployment targets include CodeDeploy, Elastic Beanstalk, ECS, and Fargate. Jenkins, other developer tools, and custom systems can connect through registered actions and an open source agent. Declarative JSON can define pipeline structures and templates. IAM users, roles, and SAML-integrated directories control workflow access. SNS can send event notifications with status and resource links. AWS KMS encrypts data at rest, while artifacts remain in a customer-owned S3 bucket. VPC endpoints through AWS PrivateLink support private communication. V1 costs $1 a month per active pipeline; V2 costs 0.002 USD per action execution minute after 100 free monthly minutes. V2 must be selected explicitly, otherwise pipelines use V1.

Spec sheet

Purpose
AWS CodePipeline is a CI/CD service for modeling and automating software release processes for application and infrastructure updates.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Access control
AWS Identity and Access Management controls who can change or operate a release workflow, with access available through IAM users, roles, and SAML-integrated directories.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Artifact encryption
CodePipeline encrypts data at rest using AWS KMS keys, and code artifacts are stored in a customer-owned S3 bucket.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Build and deploy
It integrates with CodeBuild for builds and unit tests, and can deploy through CodeDeploy, Elastic Beanstalk, ECS, or Fargate.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Notifications
Pipeline event notifications can be sent through Amazon SNS and include a status message and a link to the resources associated with the event.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Parallel actions
Build, test, and deployment actions can run in parallel to increase workflow speed.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Pipeline definitions
A declarative JSON document can define pipeline structure and provide templates for new pipelines.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Pricing distinction
V1 charges by active pipeline while V2 charges by action execution minute; V2 must be explicitly configured, and unspecified pipelines default to V1.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Private connectivity
CodePipeline supports Amazon VPC endpoints powered by AWS PrivateLink for private communication through a VPC endpoint.Read 28 Sep 2026 · docs.aws.amazon.com
Source integrations
CodePipeline can pull source code from AWS CodeCommit, GitHub, Amazon ECR, or Amazon S3.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Third-party tools
The service supports third-party developer tools such as GitHub and Jenkins, plus custom systems through registered actions and its open source agent.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Workflow
Pipelines consist of stages such as build, test, and deploy, with actions arranged within each stage.Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com

Plans and prices

V2 pipeline Free $0.002 per action execution minute, rounded up to the nearest minute. 100 free action execution minutes per month, shared across V2 pipelines in the account · manual approval and custom action types are not charged Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
V1 pipeline $1 a month $1.00 per active pipeline per month; pipelines are free for the first 30 days after creation. One free active V1 pipeline per month · no charge for pipelines with no code changes running that month Read 28 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com

Every AWS CodePipeline plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Stages organize build, test, and deployment actions
  • Parallel actions can shorten workflow execution
  • Supports AWS, GitHub, Jenkins, and custom actions
  • IAM and SAML directories control workflow access
  • Encrypted artifacts stored in customer-owned S3

Limits

  • V2 must be explicitly configured
  • V1 charges $1 pipeline monthly
  • V2 billing is based on execution minutes
  • Pricing models differ between pipeline versions

Who it suits

It suits teams automating software or infrastructure delivery with AWS services, external repositories, or custom actions. Organizations needing approvals, rollback, progressive delivery, or up to 50 concurrent runs can use its listed controls.

Verdict

AWS CodePipeline covers source, build, deployment, access, notification, and encryption requirements in one cloud service. The V1 and V2 billing distinction should be checked when creating each pipeline.

Where Specifiction places it

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