Chalice is a framework for building and deploying serverless applications and REST APIs on AWS Lambda using Python. It functions as an infrastructure-as-code generator, mapping application logic and routing definitions directly to cloud compute resources while automating the provisioning and management of the underlying environment.
The framework distinguishes itself by analyzing source code to automatically construct the minimum necessary security permissions, ensuring least-privilege access for all deployed functions. It supports modular development through blueprint-based organization and provides a local simulation environment that allows developers to test application logic and endpoint behavior before deploying to the cloud.
Beyond core API development, the framework handles event-driven automation, enabling functions to trigger in response to cloud events, database updates, or message queue arrivals. It also facilitates real-time interactive features through managed WebSocket connections and includes built-in support for token-based authentication and request authorization to secure web endpoints.
The toolset manages the entire application lifecycle, including dependency packaging, multi-stage environment configuration, and the creation of automated CI/CD pipelines. It integrates infrastructure definitions directly with application code to maintain consistent environments across development, staging, and production.
