DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
A company uses AWS CodePipeline with a source stage from GitHub (via CodeStar Connections). The pipeline has a build stage using AWS CodeBuild and a deploy stage using AWS CodeDeploy. The team wants to ensure that a new pipeline execution starts automatically whenever a pull request is merged into the main branch. Which configuration change should be made to meet this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that polling or manual approvals are required to detect merges, when CodeStar Connections already provide webhook-based automatic triggering.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure the CodeStar Connection to use a webhook that triggers the pipeline on push events to the main branch.
For GitHub sources, CodePipeline uses CodeStar Connections, which create webhooks. When a pull request is merged, a push event to the target branch occurs, and the webhook automatically starts the pipeline. This is the native, recommended method. Polling is not supported for connections, and custom EventBridge rules or manual approvals do not provide automatic triggering.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable the 'Poll for source changes' option on the source action and set the poll interval to 1 minute.
Why it's wrong here
Polling for source changes is a legacy mechanism and is not supported for GitHub sources connected via CodeStar Connections. It introduces latency and is not the recommended approach. Enabling it would not reliably trigger on merge events and may cause missed or delayed executions. The correct method uses webhook-based event triggers from the connection.
- ✗
Create an Amazon EventBridge rule that monitors GitHub pull request merge events and invokes the pipeline via a Lambda function.
Why it's wrong here
While EventBridge can be used with custom event buses, GitHub does not natively publish pull request merge events to the default EventBridge bus. This approach requires significant custom setup and is not the standard integration. CodePipeline's native CodeStar Connection already handles webhook events for push and merge, making this redundant and more complex.
- ✗
Add a manual approval action before the source stage that triggers the pipeline when a pull request is merged.
Why it's wrong here
Manual approval actions are used to pause a pipeline for human review; they do not trigger pipeline executions. Placing an approval before the source stage is not possible because the source stage must be first. This option misconstrues the purpose of approval actions and does not achieve automatic triggering on merge.
- ✓
Configure the CodeStar Connection to use a webhook that triggers the pipeline on push events to the main branch.
Why this is correct
CodeStar Connections automatically create webhooks for GitHub repositories. When a push event occurs on the configured branch (e.g., main), the webhook triggers the pipeline. Merging a pull request results in a push to the main branch, so the pipeline starts. This is the intended and supported integration for GitHub sources in CodePipeline.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Amazon Web Services exam blueprint
This DOP-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the DOP-C02 exam.