Customizing AWS Document Translation: A Deployment Guide

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Customizing AWS Document Translation: A Deployment Guide

Hey everyone! Francisco raised a great question about customizing the AWS Document Translation application after a fresh installation. It seems like the usual CodeCommit repository isn't automatically created anymore, throwing a wrench in the customization process. Let's dive into how to get those custom logos, help.json files, and footer links deployed properly.

Understanding the New Workflow

Okay, so the first thing to understand is that the installation process has changed slightly. The automatic creation of the CodeCommit repository is no longer part of the default setup. This means the pipeline now pulls directly from the upstream GitHub repository. This change impacts how we approach customization, but don't worry, it's still very doable! The key is understanding where to place our custom files and how to tell the pipeline to pick them up.

Where to Commit Customizations

Alright, so where do you actually put your custom goodies? Since the CodeCommit repository isn't automatically created, you have a couple of options. Let's break them down:

  1. Forking the GitHub Repository: This is probably the most straightforward and recommended approach. Forking creates your own copy of the repository in your GitHub account. This allows you to make changes without affecting the original source. Think of it like making a photocopy of a document – you can scribble all over the copy without messing up the original!
    • To fork, go to the AWS Document Translation GitHub repository and click the "Fork" button in the upper right corner.
    • Once you've forked the repository, clone it to your local machine. This downloads all the files to your computer so you can start making changes.
    • Now, you can add your custom logo, help.json file, and modify the footer links. These files typically go into the appropriate directories within the repository structure. Refer to the customization documentation for the specific locations.
    • Once you've made your changes, commit them to your local repository and then push them to your forked repository on GitHub. This uploads your changes to your fork.
  2. Using a Separate CodeCommit Repository: While the automatic creation is gone, you can still create your own CodeCommit repository and configure the pipeline to use it. This approach gives you more control over your infrastructure within AWS.
    • Create a new CodeCommit repository in your AWS account.
    • Clone the upstream GitHub repository to your local machine.
    • Copy the contents of the cloned repository (including your customizations) into your new CodeCommit repository.
    • Now, you can commit your customizations to your CodeCommit repository.

Configuring the Pipeline to Deploy Customizations

Okay, you've got your customizations committed – now how do you get the pipeline to actually use them? This involves modifying the pipeline configuration to point to your forked repository or CodeCommit repository instead of the upstream GitHub repository. Here’s how to do it, depending on which approach you chose:

For Forked GitHub Repository:

  1. Update the Source Stage: The key is to modify the source stage of your CodePipeline. This stage is responsible for fetching the source code for your application.
  2. Edit the Pipeline: Open the AWS CodePipeline console, find your pipeline, and click "Edit".
  3. Modify the Source Action: Locate the source action (it's usually the first one) and edit it. You'll need to update the following settings:
    • Repository Name: Change this to the name of your forked repository (e.g., your-github-username/document-translation).
    • Branch Name: Specify the branch you're using (usually main or master).
    • GitHub Account: Ensure this is connected to your GitHub account where you forked the repository.
  4. Save and Release: Save the changes to the pipeline and then release a new change. This will trigger the pipeline to run, pulling your customizations from your forked repository.

For Separate CodeCommit Repository:

  1. Update the Source Stage: Similar to the forked repository approach, you need to modify the source stage of your CodePipeline.
  2. Edit the Pipeline: Open the AWS CodePipeline console, find your pipeline, and click "Edit".
  3. Modify the Source Action: Locate the source action and edit it. You'll need to update the following settings:
    • Repository Name: Change this to the name of your CodeCommit repository.
    • Branch Name: Specify the branch you're using (usually main or master).
    • Repository Type: Select CodeCommit.
  4. IAM Role: Make sure the IAM role associated with the pipeline has the necessary permissions to access your CodeCommit repository. You might need to update the role's policy to include codecommit:GitPull permission for your repository.
  5. Save and Release: Save the changes to the pipeline and then release a new change. This will trigger the pipeline to run, pulling your customizations from your CodeCommit repository.

Customization Examples: Logo, Help.json, and Footer Links

Let's get into the specifics of customizing those key elements:

Custom Logo

To change the logo, you'll typically replace the existing logo file with your own. The exact location of the logo file depends on the application's structure, but it's often found in an images or assets directory within the frontend folder.

  • File Location: Look for files like logo.png, logo.svg, or similar in the frontend/src/assets/images directory. Replace the existing file with your custom logo, making sure to use the same file name and extension.
  • Code Updates: In some cases, you might need to update the application's code to reference the new logo file. Check the relevant components or templates that display the logo.

Help.json

The help.json file usually contains the help content displayed within the application. You can modify this file to provide custom help instructions and guidance to your users.

  • File Location: The help.json file is usually found in the public or src directory of the frontend folder.
  • Content Structure: The file is typically structured as a JSON object with keys representing different help topics and values containing the corresponding help text. Modify the content to match your specific needs.

Footer Links

Customizing the footer links involves modifying the application's code to update the links displayed in the footer. This usually requires editing a component or template responsible for rendering the footer.

  • File Location: The footer component is often located in the frontend/src/components directory. Look for files like Footer.js, Footer.vue, or similar.
  • Code Updates: Edit the component to update the URLs and text of the footer links. This might involve modifying HTML elements or JavaScript code.

Important Considerations

  • Testing: After making any customizations, it's crucial to thoroughly test the application to ensure that everything is working as expected. Pay attention to the appearance of the logo, the accuracy of the help content, and the functionality of the footer links.
  • Caching: Be aware of potential caching issues. If you're not seeing your changes reflected in the application, try clearing your browser cache or using a cache-busting technique.
  • Rollbacks: Always have a rollback plan in case something goes wrong. This might involve reverting your changes in the repository or redeploying a previous version of the application.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Pipeline Failing: If the pipeline is failing after you've made your changes, check the pipeline logs for error messages. This can help you identify the cause of the problem, such as incorrect repository settings or missing permissions.
  • Changes Not Appearing: If your changes aren't appearing in the application, double-check that you've committed and pushed your changes to the correct repository and branch. Also, verify that the pipeline is configured to pull from the correct source.
  • IAM Permissions: Ensure that the IAM role associated with the pipeline has the necessary permissions to access your resources, such as the CodeCommit repository or S3 buckets.

Conclusion

Customizing the AWS Document Translation application after a fresh installation requires a slightly different approach now that the CodeCommit repository isn't automatically created. By forking the GitHub repository or using your own CodeCommit repository, and then configuring the pipeline to pull from your source, you can easily deploy your custom logos, help.json files, and footer links. Just remember to test your changes thoroughly and have a rollback plan in place. Good luck, and happy customizing!

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully customize your AWS Document Translation application and provide a tailored experience for your users. Remember to always refer to the official documentation for the most up-to-date information and best practices.