Connecting to Amazon Web Services (AWS) can be a bit challenging. While it’s still possible with a Raspberry Pi, single-board computers are often too large for many practical IoT applications. This is where AWS IoT ExpressLink helps, providing a simple way for small devices to connect to AWS. The AWS IoT ExpressLink powered connectivity module manages cloud communications, freeing up the host microcontroller to focus on measurements and control tasks. In this first article of a two-part series, we will walk through setting up an ExpressLink module using an ESP32.