Learn PULUMI-AUTOMATION with Real Code Examples

Pulumi Automation API allows embedding Pulumi programs into applications or pipelines.

Infrastructure is defined imperatively using familiar programming languages rather than YAML or JSON.

Supports multiple cloud providers such as AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, and more.

Enables full lifecycle automation: preview, update, refresh, and destroy resources.

Ideal for programmatically managing infrastructure in CI/CD, GitOps, or custom dev workflows.

Pulumi stacks can be managed programmatically

Supports stack outputs, configuration, secrets, and state management

Automation API allows embedding Pulumi programs into apps or scripts

Programmatic control over lifecycle: preview, up, destroy, refresh

Works with local, cloud, or backend state management

Stack - isolated instance of infrastructure (like environment)

Program - code defining resources for a stack

Resource - cloud or Kubernetes entity managed by Pulumi

Config - stack configuration values, including secrets

Automation API - programmatic API to manage stacks

Pulumi.yaml - stack metadata

index.ts / main.py / main.go - infrastructure program

package.json / requirements.txt / go.mod - dependencies

automation/ - scripts using Automation API

README.md - documentation and instructions

Write Pulumi program defining resources in chosen language

Create Automation API script to provision or manage stacks

Configure stack outputs, secrets, and parameters

Invoke Automation API commands to preview, update, or destroy resources

Integrate with CI/CD pipelines for automated deployment

Beginner: deploy single cloud resource via Automation API

Intermediate: manage multiple resources with programmatic configuration

Advanced: integrate Automation API into CI/CD pipelines

Expert: multi-cloud orchestration with testing and validation

Architect: enterprise automation of infrastructure deployments

Pulumi vs Terraform - code-first imperative vs declarative IaC

Pulumi vs Crossplane - programmatic API vs Kubernetes-native CRDs

Pulumi vs Ansible - full automation vs configuration management

Pulumi vs CloudFormation - multi-cloud code vs provider-specific templates

Pulumi vs CDK - similar programmatic IaC, Automation API enables custom embedding

2017 - Pulumi project founded

2018 - Initial Pulumi Automation API prototypes

2019 - First public Automation API release

2020–2022 - Multi-language SDK enhancements

2023–2025 - CI/CD integration improvements, multi-cloud support expansion

Stack - isolated instance of infrastructure

Resource - cloud or Kubernetes entity

Program - code defining resources

Automation API - library for programmatic stack management

Output - values produced by stack resources