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AWS Cognito API

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description AWS Cognito API Overview

For organizations deeply embedded in the AWS ecosystem, Cognito is the native identity solution. It manages user pools, handles sign-up/sign-in flows, and integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like API Gateway and Lambda. It offers robust, scalable authentication tailored specifically for AWS infrastructure.

help AWS Cognito API FAQ

What is the difference between a Cognito user pool and identity pool?

A user pool handles sign-up, sign-in and tokens for application users. An identity pool is used when an application needs temporary AWS credentials for services, so the two solve different parts of identity. [AWS Cognito](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cognito/latest/developerguide/cognito-dg.pdf)

How does Cognito protect an API Gateway endpoint?

The client signs in to a user pool, receives an ID or access token and sends it in the Authorization header. API Gateway's Cognito user-pool authorizer checks the token before allowing the method to run. [AWS](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/apigateway/latest/developerguide/apigateway-integrate-with-cognito.html)

Where does Lambda fit in a Cognito setup?

A common serverless path is Cognito user pool for identity, API Gateway for the protected HTTP endpoint and Lambda for business logic. API Gateway can pass the authenticated request to Lambda only after the authorizer accepts the token. [AWS](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cognito/latest/developerguide/user-pool-accessing-resources-api-gateway-and-lambda.html)

What IDs and tokens does a Cognito client need?

The application normally needs the user pool ID and app client ID, and a confidential client may also use a client secret. After sign-in, the client uses Cognito's ID, access or refresh tokens according to the flow and resource it is calling. [AWS](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/apigateway/latest/developerguide/apigateway-integrate-with-cognito.html)

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