How do I deploy a Lambda function with Gordon?

Define your Lambda in a YAML configuration file with runtime and handler details, then use Gordon CLI to generate and deploy the CloudFormation stack. The documentation includes examples for languages like Python and JavaScript to get started quickly.

Gordon vs Serverless Framework: which should I use?

Gordon is better for teams wanting CloudFormation-native deployments with strict stage isolation, while Serverless Framework offers more features and plugins out of the box. Choose Gordon if you prioritize AWS compliance and reproducibility over extensive tooling.

Does Gordon support VPC configuration for Lambdas?

Yes, Gordon includes VPC support, allowing you to configure Lambda functions to run within a Virtual Private Cloud for enhanced security, as mentioned in the features list.

How can I test Lambdas locally with Gordon?

Gordon enables local Lambda execution using runtime-specific tools; for example, you can run Python Lambdas in a virtualenv or JavaScript ones with Node.js locally, detailed in the example projects.

Is Gordon production ready given its beta status?

The project is used by its developers (they 'eat their own dog food'), but the beta badge indicates potential instability, so it's advisable to test thoroughly in non-critical environments first.

How to set up multi-stage deployments with Gordon?

Gordon automatically creates isolated CloudFormation stacks for each stage (e.g., dev, prod) using dynamic configuration like environment variables and Jinja2 templating, ensuring no resource mixing as per its philosophy.

Open-Awesome

gordon

NOASSERTIONPython

A tool to create, wire, and deploy AWS Lambdas using CloudFormation with a simple YAML configuration.

GitHub

2.0k stars133 forks0 contributors

What is gordon?

Gordon is a deployment tool designed to simplify the creation, wiring, and deployment of AWS Lambda functions using AWS CloudFormation. It addresses the complexity of writing and maintaining CloudFormation JSON templates by providing a thin layer of conventions over easy-to-maintain YAML configuration files. The tool ensures reproducible and isolated deployments across different stages and regions.

Target Audience

Developers and DevOps engineers building serverless applications on AWS who want a streamlined, reproducible deployment process without introducing heavy frameworks.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Gordon because it reduces CloudFormation complexity, supports multiple programming languages, and enforces stage isolation—all while leveraging existing build tools and AWS services they already know.

Overview

λ Gordon is a tool to create, wire and deploy AWS Lambdas using CloudFormation

Use Cases

Best For

Deploying serverless APIs with AWS Lambda and API Gateway
Building event-driven architectures with Lambda triggers from S3, DynamoDB, or Kinesis
Managing multi-stage and multi-region Lambda deployments with isolation
Creating scheduled tasks using CloudWatch Events cron expressions
Developing Lambda functions in Python, JavaScript, Java, Golang, or Scala
Implementing custom CloudFormation resources using Lambda functions

Not Ideal For

Teams that require a fully-featured serverless framework with extensive plugins and community support, like Serverless Framework or AWS SAM.
Projects needing rapid, iterative deployments without CloudFormation stack creation and update delays.
Organizations with strict compliance requirements that prefer vendor-backed tools over beta open-source software.
Developers who want high-level abstractions and built-in monitoring, as Gordon focuses on thin conventions over CloudFormation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

CloudFormation Reliability

Generates 100% CloudFormation resources, ensuring infrastructure is reproducible and manageable through AWS's native service, as emphasized in the README.

Multi-Language Flexibility

Supports Python, JavaScript, Java, Golang, Scala, and other runtimes, allowing teams to use diverse tech stacks without framework lock-in.

Local Development Ease

Enables running and testing Lambdas locally in various languages, speeding up debugging and iteration, with examples provided in the documentation.

Stage Isolation Enforcement

Deploys separate CloudFormation stacks for each stage, adhering to AWS best practices for environment segregation, as highlighted in the philosophy section.

Custom Build Integration

Allows using Docker, Makefile, or shell scripts for building Lambdas, integrating seamlessly with existing tools like pip, npm, and gradle.

Cons

Beta Status Risks

Marked as beta in the README, the project may have unstable releases, incomplete features, or breaking changes, making it less suitable for production-critical systems.

Limited Ecosystem

Lacks the extensive plugin ecosystem and community resources of established tools like Serverless Framework, which could hinder integration with third-party services.

Setup Complexity for Advanced Cases

While flexible, configuring custom build processes or workarounds for missing CloudFormation APIs, as admitted in the README, might require significant manual effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

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