session-manager-plugin ☆

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Description:
Plugin for AWS CLI to start and end sessions that connect to managed instances

Type: Cask | Latest Version: 1.2.764.0@0 | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | @awscloud | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Devops

Tags: aws session-manager cli devops infrastructure remote-access

Install: brew install --cask session-manager-plugin

About:
The Session Manager Plugin is a required component for the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI) to interact with AWS Systems Manager Session Manager. It enables secure, browser-based shell access and command-line terminal access to Amazon EC2 instances and on-premises servers without needing to open inbound ports or manage SSH keys. This plugin facilitates managed remote sessions for operational tasks, troubleshooting, and compliance auditing.

Key Features:

Secure remote access without inbound ports or SSH key management
Session logging and audit trails to Amazon S3 or CloudWatch Logs
IAM-based access control for granular user permissions
Browser-based shell access through the AWS Management Console

Use Cases:

Troubleshooting production EC2 instances without exposing SSH ports
Automated administrative tasks on managed instances via CLI
Compliance auditing with session recording and log retention

Alternatives:

OpenSSH – Standard SSH requires managing keys and opening ports, whereas Session Manager uses IAM and VPC endpoints for secure access.
SSM Run Command – Run Command executes one-off commands, while Session Manager provides interactive terminal sessions.

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit
Jul 3, 2024 10:37pm	1.2.650.0	0	VERSION_BUMP	d865ef06