Set up Amazon Linux 2 (AL2) in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) - AWS SimSpace Weaver

End of support notice: On May 20, 2026, AWS will end support for AWS SimSpace Weaver. After May 20, 2026, you will no longer be able to access the SimSpace Weaver console or SimSpace Weaver resources. For more information, see AWS SimSpace Weaver end of support.

Set up Amazon Linux 2 (AL2) in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

This section provides instructions for setting up your local AL2 environment in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). For instructions to set up AL2 in Docker, see Set up Amazon Linux 2 (AL2) in Docker.

Important

This section describes a solution that uses a version of AL2 that is not owned, developed, or supported by Amazon. This solution is provided for your convenience only, if you choose not to use Docker. Amazon and AWS assume no liability if you choose to use this solution.

Requirements
To set up AL2 in WSL

  1. At a Windows command prompt, start your AL2 environment in WSL.

    wsl -d Amazon2
    Important

    While you are running in WSL, use the Linux instructions instead of the Windows instructions in this guide (when you have a choice). If there are no Linux instructions, use the following substitutions:

    • Use tools/linux instead of tools\windows

    • Use .sh scripts instead of .bat scripts

  2. At a Linux shell prompt, update your yum package manager.

    yum update -y
    Important

    If this step times-out, you might need to switch to WSL1 and retry these procedures. Exit your WSL AL2 session and enter the following at your Windows command prompt: 

    wsl --set-version Amazon2 1

  3. Install the unzip tool.

    yum install -y unzip

  4. Remove any AWS CLI that yum installed. Try both of the following commands if you are unsure if yum installed an AWS CLI.

    yum remove awscli
    yum remove aws-cli

  5. Make a temporary directory and go to it.

    mkdir ~/temp
cd ~/temp

  6. Download and install the AWS CLI:

    curl "https://awscli.amazonaws.com/awscli-exe-linux-x86_64.zip" -o "awscliv2.zip"
unzip awscliv2.zip
./aws/install

  7. You can remove the temporary directory.

    cd ~
rm -rf temp

  8. Restart the shell session to update the path in the environment.

    exec

  9. Configure your AWS credentials for the AWS CLI in your AL2 environment. For more information, see Configuring the AWS CLI. If you use AWS IAM Identity Center, see Configuring the AWS CLI to use AWS IAM Identity Center in the AWS Command Line Interface User Guide. 

    aws configure

  10. Install Git.

    yum install -y git

  11. Install wget.

    yum install -y wget

  12. Create a folder for the SimSpace Weaver app SDK.

    mkdir sdk-folder

  13. Go to your SDK folder.

    cd sdk-folder

  14. Download the SimSpace Weaver app SDK distributable file. It contains the following:

    • Binaries and libraries for SimSpace Weaver app development

    • Helper scripts that automate parts of the development workflow

    • Sample applications that demonstrate SimSpace Weaver concepts

    wget https://artifacts.simspaceweaver.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/latest/SimSpaceWeaverAppSdkDistributable.zip

  15. Unzip the file.

    unzip *.zip

  16. Run the additional setup script.

    source ./setup-wsl-distro.sh
    Note

    You only need to do this one time for your AL2 environment in WSL.