# Use `DescribeAutoScalingGroups` with an AWS SDK or CLI
<a name="example_auto-scaling_DescribeAutoScalingGroups_section"></a>

The following code examples show how to use `DescribeAutoScalingGroups`.

Action examples are code excerpts from larger programs and must be run in context. You can see this action in context in the following code examples: 
+  [Learn the basics](example_auto-scaling_Scenario_GroupsAndInstances_section.md) 
+  [Build and manage a resilient service](example_cross_ResilientService_section.md) 

------
#### [ .NET ]

**SDK for .NET (v4)**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/dotnetv4/AutoScaling#code-examples). 

```
    /// <summary>
    /// Get data about the instances in an Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling group.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="groupName">The name of the Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling group.</param>
    /// <returns>A list of Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling details.</returns>
    public async Task<List<AutoScalingInstanceDetails>> DescribeAutoScalingInstancesAsync(
        string groupName)
    {
        var groups = await DescribeAutoScalingGroupsAsync(groupName);
        var instanceIds = new List<string>();
        var instanceDetails = new List<AutoScalingInstanceDetails>();
        if (groups != null)
        {
            groups.ForEach(group =>
            {
                if (group.AutoScalingGroupName == groupName && group.Instances != null)
                {
                    group.Instances.ForEach(instance =>
                    {
                        instanceIds.Add(instance.InstanceId);
                    });
                }
            });

            var scalingGroupsRequest = new DescribeAutoScalingInstancesRequest
            {
                MaxRecords = 10,
                InstanceIds = instanceIds,
            };

            var response =
                await _amazonAutoScaling.DescribeAutoScalingInstancesAsync(
                    scalingGroupsRequest);
            if (response.AutoScalingInstances != null)
            {
                instanceDetails = response.AutoScalingInstances;
            }
        }

        return instanceDetails;
    }
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/DotNetSDKV4/autoscaling-2011-01-01/DescribeAutoScalingGroups) in *AWS SDK for .NET API Reference*. 

------
#### [ C\$1\$1 ]

**SDK for C\$1\$1**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/cpp/example_code/autoscaling#code-examples). 

```
        Aws::Client::ClientConfiguration clientConfig;
        // Optional: Set to the AWS Region (overrides config file).
        // clientConfig.region = "us-east-1";

    Aws::AutoScaling::AutoScalingClient autoScalingClient(clientConfig);

    Aws::AutoScaling::Model::DescribeAutoScalingGroupsRequest request;
    Aws::Vector<Aws::String> groupNames;
    groupNames.push_back(groupName);
    request.SetAutoScalingGroupNames(groupNames);

    Aws::AutoScaling::Model::DescribeAutoScalingGroupsOutcome outcome =
            client.DescribeAutoScalingGroups(request);

    if (outcome.IsSuccess()) {
        autoScalingGroup = outcome.GetResult().GetAutoScalingGroups();
    }
    else {
        std::cerr << "Error with AutoScaling::DescribeAutoScalingGroups. "
                  << outcome.GetError().GetMessage()
                  << std::endl;
    }
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForCpp/autoscaling-2011-01-01/DescribeAutoScalingGroups) in *AWS SDK for C\$1\$1 API Reference*. 

------
#### [ CLI ]

**AWS CLI**  
**Example 1: To describe the specified Auto Scaling group**  
This example describes the specified Auto Scaling group.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --auto-scaling-group-names my-asg
```
Output:  

```
{
    "AutoScalingGroups": [
        {
            "AutoScalingGroupName": "my-asg",
            "AutoScalingGroupARN": "arn:aws:autoscaling:us-west-2:123456789012:autoScalingGroup:930d940e-891e-4781-a11a-7b0acd480f03:autoScalingGroupName/my-asg",
            "LaunchTemplate": {
                "LaunchTemplateName": "my-launch-template",
                "Version": "1",
                "LaunchTemplateId": "lt-1234567890abcde12"
            },
            "MinSize": 0,
            "MaxSize": 1,
            "DesiredCapacity": 1,
            "DefaultCooldown": 300,
            "AvailabilityZones": [
                "us-west-2a",
                "us-west-2b",
                "us-west-2c"
            ],
            "LoadBalancerNames": [],
            "TargetGroupARNs": [],
            "HealthCheckType": "EC2",
            "HealthCheckGracePeriod": 0,
            "Instances": [
                {
                    "InstanceId": "i-06905f55584de02da",
                    "InstanceType": "t2.micro",
                    "AvailabilityZone": "us-west-2a",
                    "HealthStatus": "Healthy",
                    "LifecycleState": "InService",
                    "ProtectedFromScaleIn": false,
                    "LaunchTemplate": {
                        "LaunchTemplateName": "my-launch-template",
                        "Version": "1",
                        "LaunchTemplateId": "lt-1234567890abcde12"
                    }
                }
            ],
            "CreatedTime": "2023-10-28T02:39:22.152Z",
            "SuspendedProcesses": [],
            "VPCZoneIdentifier": "subnet-5ea0c127,subnet-6194ea3b,subnet-c934b782",
            "EnabledMetrics": [],
            "Tags": [],
            "TerminationPolicies": [
                "Default"
            ],
            "NewInstancesProtectedFromScaleIn": false,
            "ServiceLinkedRoleARN":"arn",
            "TrafficSources": []
        }
    ]
}
```
**Example 2: To describe the first 100 specified Auto Scaling group**  
This example describes the specified Auto Scaling groups. It allows you to specify up to 100 group names.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --max-items 100 \
    --auto-scaling-group-names "group1" "group2" "group3" "group4"
```
See example 1 for sample output.  
**Example 3: To describe an Auto Scaling group in the specified region**  
This example describes the Auto Scaling groups in the specified region, up to a maximum of 75 groups.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --max-items 75 \
    --region us-east-1
```
See example 1 for sample output.  
**Example 4: To describe the specified number of Auto Scaling group**  
To return a specific number of Auto Scaling groups, use the `--max-items` option.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --max-items 1
```
See example 1 for sample output.  
If the output includes a `NextToken` field, there are more groups. To get the additional groups, use the value of this field with the `--starting-token` option in a subsequent call as follows.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --starting-token Z3M3LMPEXAMPLE
```
See example 1 for sample output.  
**Example 5: To describe Auto Scaling groups that use launch configurations**  
This example uses the `--query` option to describe Auto Scaling groups that use launch configurations.  

```
aws autoscaling describe-auto-scaling-groups \
    --query 'AutoScalingGroups[?LaunchConfigurationName!=`null`]'
```
Output:  

```
[
    {
        "AutoScalingGroupName": "my-asg",
        "AutoScalingGroupARN": "arn:aws:autoscaling:us-west-2:123456789012:autoScalingGroup:930d940e-891e-4781-a11a-7b0acd480f03:autoScalingGroupName/my-asg",
        "LaunchConfigurationName": "my-lc",
        "MinSize": 0,
        "MaxSize": 1,
        "DesiredCapacity": 1,
        "DefaultCooldown": 300,
        "AvailabilityZones": [
            "us-west-2a",
            "us-west-2b",
            "us-west-2c"
        ],
        "LoadBalancerNames": [],
        "TargetGroupARNs": [],
        "HealthCheckType": "EC2",
        "HealthCheckGracePeriod": 0,
        "Instances": [
            {
                "InstanceId": "i-088c57934a6449037",
                "InstanceType": "t2.micro",
                "AvailabilityZone": "us-west-2c",
                "HealthStatus": "Healthy",
                "LifecycleState": "InService",
                "LaunchConfigurationName": "my-lc",
                "ProtectedFromScaleIn": false
            }
        ],
        "CreatedTime": "2023-10-28T02:39:22.152Z",
        "SuspendedProcesses": [],
        "VPCZoneIdentifier": "subnet-5ea0c127,subnet-6194ea3b,subnet-c934b782",
        "EnabledMetrics": [],
        "Tags": [],
        "TerminationPolicies": [
            "Default"
        ],
        "NewInstancesProtectedFromScaleIn": false,
        "ServiceLinkedRoleARN":"arn",
        "TrafficSources": []
    }
]
```
For more information, see [Filter AWS CLI output](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/cli-usage-filter.html) in the *AWS Command Line Interface User Guide*.  
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/documentation/api/latest/reference/autoscaling/describe-auto-scaling-groups.html) in *AWS CLI Command Reference*. 

------
#### [ Java ]

**SDK for Java 2.x**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/javav2/example_code/autoscale#code-examples). 

```
import software.amazon.awssdk.regions.Region;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.AutoScalingClient;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.model.AutoScalingException;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.model.AutoScalingGroup;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.model.DescribeAutoScalingGroupsResponse;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.model.DescribeAutoScalingGroupsRequest;
import software.amazon.awssdk.services.autoscaling.model.Instance;
import java.util.List;

/**
 * Before running this SDK for Java (v2) code example, set up your development
 * environment, including your credentials.
 *
 * For more information, see the following documentation:
 *
 * https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-java/latest/developer-guide/get-started.html
 */
public class DescribeAutoScalingInstances {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        final String usage = """

                Usage:
                    <groupName>

                Where:
                    groupName - The name of the Auto Scaling group.
                """;

        if (args.length != 1) {
            System.out.println(usage);
            System.exit(1);
        }

        String groupName = args[0];
        AutoScalingClient autoScalingClient = AutoScalingClient.builder()
                .region(Region.US_EAST_1)
                .build();

        String instanceId = getAutoScaling(autoScalingClient, groupName);
        System.out.println(instanceId);
        autoScalingClient.close();
    }

    public static String getAutoScaling(AutoScalingClient autoScalingClient, String groupName) {
        try {
            String instanceId = "";
            DescribeAutoScalingGroupsRequest scalingGroupsRequest = DescribeAutoScalingGroupsRequest.builder()
                    .autoScalingGroupNames(groupName)
                    .build();

            DescribeAutoScalingGroupsResponse response = autoScalingClient
                    .describeAutoScalingGroups(scalingGroupsRequest);
            List<AutoScalingGroup> groups = response.autoScalingGroups();
            for (AutoScalingGroup group : groups) {
                System.out.println("The group name is " + group.autoScalingGroupName());
                System.out.println("The group ARN is " + group.autoScalingGroupARN());

                List<Instance> instances = group.instances();
                for (Instance instance : instances) {
                    instanceId = instance.instanceId();
                }
            }
            return instanceId;
        } catch (AutoScalingException e) {
            System.err.println(e.awsErrorDetails().errorMessage());
            System.exit(1);
        }
        return "";
    }
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForJavaV2/autoscaling-2011-01-01/DescribeAutoScalingGroups) in *AWS SDK for Java 2.x API Reference*. 

------
#### [ Kotlin ]

**SDK for Kotlin**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/kotlin/services/autoscale#code-examples). 

```
suspend fun getAutoScalingGroups(groupName: String) {
    val scalingGroupsRequest =
        DescribeAutoScalingGroupsRequest {
            autoScalingGroupNames = listOf(groupName)
        }

    AutoScalingClient { region = "us-east-1" }.use { autoScalingClient ->
        val response = autoScalingClient.describeAutoScalingGroups(scalingGroupsRequest)
        response.autoScalingGroups?.forEach { group ->
            println("The group name is ${group.autoScalingGroupName}")
            println("The group ARN is ${group.autoScalingGroupArn}")
            group.instances?.forEach { instance ->
                println("The instance id is ${instance.instanceId}")
                println("The lifecycle state is " + instance.lifecycleState)
            }
        }
    }
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://sdk.amazonaws.com/kotlin/api/latest/index.html) in *AWS SDK for Kotlin API reference*. 

------
#### [ PHP ]

**SDK for PHP**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/php/example_code/auto-scaling#code-examples). 

```
    public function describeAutoScalingGroups($autoScalingGroupNames)
    {
        return $this->autoScalingClient->describeAutoScalingGroups([
            'AutoScalingGroupNames' => $autoScalingGroupNames
        ]);
    }
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForPHPV3/autoscaling-2011-01-01/DescribeAutoScalingGroups) in *AWS SDK for PHP API Reference*. 

------
#### [ PowerShell ]

**Tools for PowerShell V4**  
**Example 1: This example lists the names of your Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup | format-table -property AutoScalingGroupName
```
**Output:**  

```
AutoScalingGroupName
--------------------
my-asg-1
my-asg-2
my-asg-3
my-asg-4
my-asg-5
my-asg-6
```
**Example 2: This example describes the specified Auto Scaling group.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-asg-1
```
**Output:**  

```
AutoScalingGroupARN     : arn:aws:autoscaling:us-west-2:123456789012:autoScalingGroup:930d940e-891e-4781-a11a-7b0acd480
                          f03:autoScalingGroupName/my-asg-1
AutoScalingGroupName    : my-asg-1
AvailabilityZones       : {us-west-2b, us-west-2a}
CreatedTime             : 3/1/2015 9:05:31 AM
DefaultCooldown         : 300
DesiredCapacity         : 2
EnabledMetrics          : {}
HealthCheckGracePeriod  : 300
HealthCheckType         : EC2
Instances               : {my-lc}
LaunchConfigurationName : my-lc
LoadBalancerNames       : {}
MaxSize                 : 0
MinSize                 : 0
PlacementGroup          :
Status                  :
SuspendedProcesses      : {}
Tags                    : {}
TerminationPolicies     : {Default}
VPCZoneIdentifier       : subnet-e4f33493,subnet-5264e837
```
**Example 3: This example describes the specified two Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName @("my-asg-1", "my-asg-2")
```
**Example 4: This example describes the Auto Scaling instances for the specified Auto Scaling group.**  

```
(Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-asg-1).Instances
```
**Example 5: This example describes all your Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup
```
**Example 6: This example describes LaunchTemplate for the specified Auto Scaling group. This example assumes that the "Instance purchase options" is set to "Adhere to launch template". In case this option is set to "Combine purchase options and instance types", LaunchTemplate could be accessed using "MixedInstancesPolicy.LaunchTemplate" property.**  

```
(Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-ag-1).LaunchTemplate
```
**Output:**  

```
LaunchTemplateId     LaunchTemplateName   Version
----------------     ------------------   -------
lt-06095fd619cb40371 test-launch-template $Default
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/v4/reference) in *AWS Tools for PowerShell Cmdlet Reference (V4)*. 

**Tools for PowerShell V5**  
**Example 1: This example lists the names of your Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup | format-table -property AutoScalingGroupName
```
**Output:**  

```
AutoScalingGroupName
--------------------
my-asg-1
my-asg-2
my-asg-3
my-asg-4
my-asg-5
my-asg-6
```
**Example 2: This example describes the specified Auto Scaling group.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-asg-1
```
**Output:**  

```
AutoScalingGroupARN     : arn:aws:autoscaling:us-west-2:123456789012:autoScalingGroup:930d940e-891e-4781-a11a-7b0acd480
                          f03:autoScalingGroupName/my-asg-1
AutoScalingGroupName    : my-asg-1
AvailabilityZones       : {us-west-2b, us-west-2a}
CreatedTime             : 3/1/2015 9:05:31 AM
DefaultCooldown         : 300
DesiredCapacity         : 2
EnabledMetrics          : {}
HealthCheckGracePeriod  : 300
HealthCheckType         : EC2
Instances               : {my-lc}
LaunchConfigurationName : my-lc
LoadBalancerNames       : {}
MaxSize                 : 0
MinSize                 : 0
PlacementGroup          :
Status                  :
SuspendedProcesses      : {}
Tags                    : {}
TerminationPolicies     : {Default}
VPCZoneIdentifier       : subnet-e4f33493,subnet-5264e837
```
**Example 3: This example describes the specified two Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName @("my-asg-1", "my-asg-2")
```
**Example 4: This example describes the Auto Scaling instances for the specified Auto Scaling group.**  

```
(Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-asg-1).Instances
```
**Example 5: This example describes all your Auto Scaling groups.**  

```
Get-ASAutoScalingGroup
```
**Example 6: This example describes LaunchTemplate for the specified Auto Scaling group. This example assumes that the "Instance purchase options" is set to "Adhere to launch template". In case this option is set to "Combine purchase options and instance types", LaunchTemplate could be accessed using "MixedInstancesPolicy.LaunchTemplate" property.**  

```
(Get-ASAutoScalingGroup -AutoScalingGroupName my-ag-1).LaunchTemplate
```
**Output:**  

```
LaunchTemplateId     LaunchTemplateName   Version
----------------     ------------------   -------
lt-06095fd619cb40371 test-launch-template $Default
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/powershell/v5/reference) in *AWS Tools for PowerShell Cmdlet Reference (V5)*. 

------
#### [ Python ]

**SDK for Python (Boto3)**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/python/example_code/auto-scaling#code-examples). 

```
class AutoScalingWrapper:
    """Encapsulates Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling actions."""

    def __init__(self, autoscaling_client):
        """
        :param autoscaling_client: A Boto3 Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling client.
        """
        self.autoscaling_client = autoscaling_client


    def describe_group(self, group_name: str) -> Optional[Dict[str, Any]]:
        """
        Gets information about an Auto Scaling group.

        :param group_name: The name of the group to look up.
        :return: A dictionary with information about the group if found, otherwise None.
        :raises ClientError: If there is an error describing the Auto Scaling group.
        """
        try:
            paginator = self.autoscaling_client.get_paginator(
                "describe_auto_scaling_groups"
            )
            response_iterator = paginator.paginate(AutoScalingGroupNames=[group_name])
            groups = []
            for response in response_iterator:
                groups.extend(response.get("AutoScalingGroups", []))

            logger.info(
                f"Successfully retrieved information for Auto Scaling group {group_name}."
            )

        except ClientError as err:
            error_code = err.response["Error"]["Code"]
            logger.error(f"Failed to describe Auto Scaling group {group_name}.")
            if error_code == "ResourceContentionFault":
                logger.error(
                    "There is a conflict with another operation that is modifying the "
                    f"Auto Scaling group '{group_name}' Please try again later."
                )
            logger.error(f"Full error:\n\t{err}")
            raise
        else:
            return groups[0] if len(groups) > 0 else None
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/boto3/autoscaling-2011-01-01/DescribeAutoScalingGroups) in *AWS SDK for Python (Boto3) API Reference*. 

------
#### [ Rust ]

**SDK for Rust**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/rustv1/examples/auto-scaling#code-examples). 

```
async fn list_groups(client: &Client) -> Result<(), Error> {
    let resp = client.describe_auto_scaling_groups().send().await?;

    println!("Groups:");

    let groups = resp.auto_scaling_groups();

    for group in groups {
        println!(
            "Name:  {}",
            group.auto_scaling_group_name().unwrap_or("Unknown")
        );
        println!(
            "Arn:   {}",
            group.auto_scaling_group_arn().unwrap_or("unknown"),
        );
        println!("Zones: {:?}", group.availability_zones(),);
        println!();
    }

    println!("Found {} group(s)", groups.len());

    Ok(())
}
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.rs/aws-sdk-autoscaling/latest/aws_sdk_autoscaling/client/struct.Client.html#method.describe_auto_scaling_groups) in *AWS SDK for Rust API reference*. 

------
#### [ SAP ABAP ]

**SDK for SAP ABAP**  
 There's more on GitHub. Find the complete example and learn how to set up and run in the [AWS Code Examples Repository](https://github.com/awsdocs/aws-doc-sdk-examples/tree/main/sap-abap/services/asc#code-examples). 

```
    DATA lt_group_names TYPE /aws1/cl_ascautoscgroupnames_w=>tt_autoscalinggroupnames.
    DATA lo_group_name TYPE REF TO /aws1/cl_ascautoscgroupnames_w.
    
    " Example: iv_group_name = 'my-auto-scaling-group'
    
    TRY.
        " Build group names parameter
        CREATE OBJECT lo_group_name
          EXPORTING
            iv_value = iv_group_name.
        APPEND lo_group_name TO lt_group_names.

        " Describe the Auto Scaling group
        DATA(lo_output) = ao_asc->describeautoscalinggroups(
          it_autoscalinggroupnames = lt_group_names ).

        " Return the first (and only) group in the result
        DATA(lt_groups) = lo_output->get_autoscalinggroups( ).
        IF lines( lt_groups ) > 0.
          READ TABLE lt_groups INDEX 1 INTO DATA(lo_group).
          oo_output = lo_group.
        ENDIF.

        MESSAGE 'Auto Scaling group information retrieved successfully' TYPE 'I'.

      CATCH /aws1/cx_ascresrccontionfault INTO DATA(lo_contention).
        RAISE EXCEPTION lo_contention.
      CATCH /aws1/cx_rt_generic INTO DATA(lo_generic_exception).
        RAISE EXCEPTION lo_generic_exception.
    ENDTRY.
```
+  For API details, see [DescribeAutoScalingGroups](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/sdk-for-sap-abap/v1/api/latest/index.html) in *AWS SDK for SAP ABAP API reference*. 

------

For a complete list of AWS SDK developer guides and code examples, see [Using this service with an AWS SDK](sdk-general-information-section.md). This topic also includes information about getting started and details about previous SDK versions.