# Get started with Lambda@Edge functions (console)
<a name="lambda-edge-how-it-works"></a>

With Lambda@Edge, you can use CloudFront triggers to invoke a Lambda function. When you associate a CloudFront distribution with a Lambda function, CloudFront [intercepts requests and responses](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/lambda/latest/dg/lambda-edge.html) at CloudFront edge locations and runs the function. Lambda functions can improve security or customize information close to your viewers to improve performance.

The following list provides a basic overview of how to create and use Lambda functions with CloudFront.

**Overview: Creating and using Lambda functions with CloudFront**

1. Create a Lambda function in the US East (N. Virginia) Region.

1. Save and publish a numbered version of the function.

   If you want to change the function, you must edit the $LATEST version of the function in the US East (N. Virginia) Region. Then, before you set it up to work with CloudFront, you publish a new numbered version.

1. Associate the function with a CloudFront distribution and cache behavior. Then specify one or more CloudFront events (*triggers*) that cause the function to execute. For example, you can create a trigger for the function to execute when CloudFront receives a request from a viewer.

1. When you create a trigger, Lambda creates replicas of the function at AWS locations around the world.

**Tip**  
For more information, see [creating and updating functions](lambda-edge-create-function.md), [the event structure](lambda-event-structure.md), and [adding CloudFront triggers](lambda-edge-add-triggers.md). You can also find more ideas and get code samples in [Lambda@Edge example functions](lambda-examples.md).

For a step-by-step tutorial, see the following topic:

**Topics**
+ [Tutorial: Create a basic Lambda@Edge function (console)](lambda-edge-how-it-works-tutorial.md)