Quick Answer
The answer is AWS CodePipeline, as it is the native CI/CD service designed to automatically trigger a build and deployment pipeline when code is pushed to a CodeCommit repository. CodePipeline monitors the specified branch for changes and, upon detecting a new commit, invokes downstream actions like AWS CodeBuild to package the SAM template and AWS CloudFormation to deploy the serverless application. On the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate SOA-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding of the core CI/CD orchestration service versus supporting services; a common trap is confusing CodePipeline with CodeBuild, which only compiles and tests code, or with CloudWatch Events, which can detect repository changes but is not the primary pipeline trigger. Remember the memory tip: “Pipeline pulls the trigger, Build does the work”—CodePipeline is the event-driven orchestrator that listens for CodeCommit pushes, making it the correct choice for automating SAM deployments from a Git push.
This SOA-C02 practice question tests your understanding of deployment, provisioning, and automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company is deploying a serverless application using AWS SAM. The SysOps administrator wants to automate the build and deployment process whenever code is pushed to the main branch of an AWS CodeCommit repository. Which service should be used to trigger the pipeline?
AWS Lambda.
Why wrong: Lambda can be used but is not the standard service for CI/CD pipelines.
AWS CodeBuild.
Why wrong: CodeBuild builds code, but does not orchestrate the full pipeline.
AWS CodePipeline.
CodePipeline orchestrates build, test, and deploy stages and can be triggered by CodeCommit.
Amazon CloudWatch Events.
Why wrong: CloudWatch Events can trigger actions, but CodePipeline is the standard CI/CD service.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
AWS CodePipeline.
The correct answer is C because CodePipeline can be configured to start on changes to a CodeCommit repository. Option A is incorrect because CloudWatch Events can trigger but is not the primary service for CI/CD pipelines. Option B is incorrect because CodeBuild is a build service, not a trigger. Option D is incorrect because Lambda would require custom integration.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
AWS Lambda.
Why it's wrong here
Lambda can be used but is not the standard service for CI/CD pipelines.
AWS CodeBuild.
Why it's wrong here
CodeBuild builds code, but does not orchestrate the full pipeline.
AWS CodePipeline.
Why this is correct
CodePipeline orchestrates build, test, and deploy stages and can be triggered by CodeCommit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Amazon CloudWatch Events.
Why it's wrong here
CloudWatch Events can trigger actions, but CodePipeline is the standard CI/CD service.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Identify which SOA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — This question tests Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: AWS CodePipeline. — The correct answer is C because CodePipeline can be configured to start on changes to a CodeCommit repository. Option A is incorrect because CloudWatch Events can trigger but is not the primary service for CI/CD pipelines. Option B is incorrect because CodeBuild is a build service, not a trigger. Option D is incorrect because Lambda would require custom integration.
Identify which SOA-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
This SOA-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 SOA-C02 exam.
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