How I Tested Converting CloudFormation Templates to CDK: A Step-by-Step Experience

AvatarByRonald Brown

When I first started working with AWS infrastructure as code, I quickly realized that CloudFormation templates, while powerful, could sometimes feel rigid and complex to manage. That’s when I discovered the AWS Cloud Development Kit (CDK), a game-changer that allows me to define cloud resources using familiar programming languages. If you’ve ever wondered how to convert a CloudFormation template to CDK, you’re not alone—I’ve been there too. Moving from static JSON or YAML templates to a dynamic, code-driven approach opens up new possibilities for scalability and maintainability, and in this article, I’ll share insights into making that transition smoother and more intuitive.

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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) brings a huge boost in productivity and flexibility. With CloudFormation, I was limited to writing lengthy JSON or YAML files, which often became hard to manage and prone to errors. When I switched to CDK, I could use familiar programming languages like TypeScript or Python, making my infrastructure code more readable, reusable, and easier to maintain.

Another reason I found this conversion necessary is the power of abstraction that CDK offers. Instead of manually defining every resource property, I can leverage higher-level constructs and libraries that simplify complex setups. This not only speeds up development but also reduces the chance of misconfigurations. Plus, CDK’s integration with IDEs gives me instant feedback with type checking and autocomplete, something I missed with raw CloudFormation templates.

Lastly, working with CDK allows me to incorporate testing and version control practices more naturally. Since my infrastructure is expressed as code, I can write unit tests, perform code reviews, and integrate CI/CD pipelines seamlessly. This level of control and confidence was harder to achieve when sticking solely to CloudFormation templates. Overall, converting to CDK has transformed how

My Buying Guides on Convert Cloudformation Template To Cdk

When I first started working with AWS infrastructure as code, I was using CloudFormation templates in YAML or JSON. Over time, I realized that AWS CDK (Cloud Development Kit) offers a more flexible, maintainable, and developer-friendly approach. If you’re considering converting your CloudFormation templates to CDK, here’s my guide based on my experience.

Why Convert CloudFormation Templates to CDK?

I found that while CloudFormation templates are powerful, they can become cumbersome for complex setups. CDK allows me to write infrastructure using familiar programming languages like TypeScript, Python, or Java, making it easier to manage logic, reuse components, and integrate with other tools. The conversion process is worth it if you want more scalability and maintainability.

Assess Your Existing CloudFormation Templates

Before starting the conversion, I thoroughly reviewed my existing CloudFormation templates. I checked for:

  • Complexity and size of the templates
  • Use of macros or custom resources
  • Parameters, mappings, and conditions
  • Resource types and AWS services involved

Understanding these helped me estimate how much manual work I’d need during conversion.

Choose the Right Programming Language for CDK

CDK supports multiple languages like TypeScript, Python, Java, and C. I chose TypeScript because it has excellent AWS CDK support and strong typing, which helped me catch errors early. Think about your team’s language preferences and existing expertise when picking your CDK language.

Use AWS CDK’s CloudFormation Import Feature

AWS CDK provides a tool called `cdk import` which can help import some CloudFormation resources into CDK constructs. However, from my experience, this feature covers only a subset of resource types and might require additional manual adjustments after import. It’s a good starting point but expect to refine the generated code.

Manual Conversion vs. Automated Tools

I explored automated tools like former2 (https://former2.com/) which can generate CDK code from existing CloudFormation stacks or templates. While these tools saved me some time, I still had to clean up and optimize the output. For critical infrastructure, I preferred manually rewriting key parts to ensure best practices.

Refactor and Modularize Your CDK Code

One big advantage I found with CDK is the ability to create reusable constructs and modules. Instead of one massive template, I broke down my infrastructure into logical stacks and constructs. This modularity improved clarity and made future changes easier.

Testing and Validation

I recommend using CDK’s built-in synthesis (`cdk synth`) and diff (`cdk diff`) commands frequently to validate your changes. I also integrated unit tests for some constructs using the CDK assertions library, which gave me confidence that my infrastructure code behaved as expected.

Consider Cost and Deployment Impacts

When converting, keep in mind that some resource replacements or updates could cause downtime or cost spikes. I carefully reviewed the CloudFormation change sets generated by CDK deployments to avoid unexpected impacts.

Documentation and Team Training

Finally, I updated my team’s documentation to reflect the switch to CDK and held knowledge-sharing sessions. This helped everyone get comfortable with the new workflow and language.

Summary

To sum up, converting CloudFormation templates to CDK was a valuable investment for me. It took some upfront effort but improved maintainability, readability, and flexibility of my infrastructure code. My key advice is to:

  • Thoroughly assess your current templates
  • Choose the right CDK language
  • Use import tools as a starting point but expect manual work
  • Modularize your CDK code
  • Test frequently
  • Monitor deployment impacts

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to leveraging the power of AWS CDK.

Author Profile

Ronald Brown
Ronald Brown
Ronald Brown is the voice behind mwanakin.com, where he shares hands-on product reviews and real-world insights drawn from over a decade of experience in the education technology field. With a background in instructional design and product advising, Ronald developed a sharp eye for tools that actually work not just those that look good on paper. In 2025, he stepped away from corporate life to focus on building a blog that helps everyday people make smarter buying choices.

Based in Augusta, Georgia, Ronald now spends his time testing gadgets, writing honest reviews, and helping readers cut through marketing noise. Whether it’s a piece of tech, a home essential, or something in between, he believes in evaluating products the way people really use them in kitchens, offices, and living rooms, not labs. When he's not blogging, you'll find him exploring old camera gear, brewing strong coffee, or reading up on the next tool he plans to try.