# AWS CloudShell migrating from AL2 to AL2023
Migrating from Amazon Linux 2 to Amazon Linux 2023

AWS CloudShell, which was based on Amazon Linux 2 (AL2), has migrated to Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023). For more information about AL2023, see [What is Amazon Linux 2023 (AL2023)](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/what-is-amazon-linux.html) in the *Amazon Linux 2023 User Guide*.

With AL2023, you can continue to access your existing CloudShell environment with all tools provided by CloudShell. For more information about available tools, see [Pre-installed software](vm-specs.md#pre-installed-software). 

AL2023 provides several improvements to development tools, including newer versions of packages such as Node.js 18 and Python 3.9. 

**Note**  
In AL2023, Python 2 is no longer shipped with your CloudShell environment.

For more information about the key differences between AL2 and AL2023, see [Comparing Amazon Linux 2 and Amazon Linux 2023](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/compare-with-al2.html) in the *Amazon Linux 2023 User Guide*.

If you've any questions, contact [Support](https://aws.amazon.com/contact-us/). You can also search for answers and post questions in [AWS re:Post](https://repost.aws/tags/TA5ZaPf1NkT4uNitnWVitlyQ/aws-cloudshell). When you enter AWS re:Post, you might be required to sign in to AWS.

## AWS CloudShell Migration FAQs


The following are answers to some common questions about the migration from AL2 to AL2023 with AWS CloudShell.
+ [Will the migration to AL2023 affect any of my other AWS resources, such as Amazon EC2 instances running on AL2?](#migration-effect)
+ [What are the packages that will be changed with the migration to AL2023?](#package-update)
+ [Can I opt-out from migration?](#migration-opt-out)
+ [Can I create a backup of my AWS CloudShell environment?](#migration-backup)

### Will the migration to AL2023 affect any of my other AWS resources, such as Amazon EC2 instances running on AL2?


No service or resource other than your AWS CloudShell environment is affected by this migration. This includes resources that you might have created or accessed from within AWS CloudShell. For example, if you have created an Amazon EC2 instance running on AL2 this will not be migrated to AL2023.

### What are the packages that have been changed with the migration to AL2023?


AWS CloudShell environments currently include pre-installed software. To learn about the complete list of pre-installed software, see [Pre-installed software](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/latest/userguide/vm-specs.html#pre-installed-software). AWS CloudShell will continue delivering these packages, with the exception of Python 2. For the complete difference between the packages provided by AL2 and AL2023, see [Comparing AL2 and AL2023](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/linux/al2023/ug/compare-with-al2.html#package-changes). For customers with specific package and version requirements that will no longer be met after the migration to AL2023, we recommend reaching out to AWS Support to submit a request.

### Can I opt-out from migration?


 No, you can't opt-out from migration. AWS CloudShell environments are managed by AWS, therefore, all the environments have been upgraded to AL2023.

### Can I create a backup of my AWS CloudShell environment?


AWS CloudShell will continue to persist the user home directory. For more information, see [Service quotas and restrictions for AWS CloudShell](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/latest/userguide/limits.html#persistent-storage-limitations). If you have any files or configurations stored in your home folder and if you want to create a backup for the same, complete [Step 6: Create a home directory backup](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cloudshell/latest/userguide/getting-started.html#home-directory-backup).