> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.merops.cloud/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect AWS

> Create AWS access credentials and connect the provider in Merops

Merops connects to AWS with an access key ID and secret access key. AWS recommends temporary credentials where possible; if Merops needs a long-lived access key for your workflow, create one for a dedicated IAM user and never use root account credentials.

## Create an access key

1. In the AWS Management Console, open **IAM** and choose **Users**.
2. Select a dedicated IAM user, or create one for this integration. Grant only the permissions required for the S3 buckets and objects Merops should manage.
3. Open **Security credentials**, find **Access keys**, and choose **Create access key**.
4. Follow the prompts, then securely save the access key ID and secret access key. AWS only displays the secret when the key is created; download the CSV or copy the values before closing the page.

## Prepare the credential file

Merops can import the CSV downloaded by AWS. Alternatively, create a local plain-text file such as `aws-credentials.txt` with these lines. Set `AWS_REGION` to the region you want Merops to use by default; it is optional and defaults to `us-east-1`.

```text theme={null}
AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID=YOUR_ACCESS_KEY_ID
AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY=YOUR_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY
AWS_REGION=YOUR_REGION
```

For temporary credentials, also include the `AWS_SESSION_TOKEN` value supplied with that credential set.

## Import the credentials in Merops

1. In Merops, open **Providers** and choose **Add provider**.
2. Select **AWS**, import the CSV or text file, and enter a display name if requested.
3. Open the new connection and check that its Object Storage resources load.

Credential upload accepts a non-empty file up to 10 MiB. A successful import confirms that Merops parsed the file; it does not prove that the identity can perform every operation. Check [permissions guidance](/security-privacy/security/credentials-and-permissions.md).

For the current AWS Console steps and key-handling guidance, see AWS's guides to [creating and managing access keys](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/access-keys-admin-managed.html) and [access key security](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/IAM/latest/UserGuide/id_credentials_access-keys.html).


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