start_ec2_by_name.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

try:
    import boto3
except ImportError:
    print 'Please install boto3 - either set up a virtualenv, or run: pip install boto3'
    exit(1)

import sys

cmd = 'unknown'

if len(sys.argv) == 2:
    name = sys.argv[1]
    cmd = 'state'
elif len(sys.argv) == 3:
    name = sys.argv[1]
    cmd = sys.argv[2]
else:
    print 'please specify a name or name filter (i.e. "Foo*") and optionally a single command "state", "start" or "stop". Beware, this might start or stop many machines - be careful!  Also filters are case sensitive.'
    exit(1)

ec2 = boto3.resource('ec2')

instances = list(ec2.instances.filter(
    Filters=[{'Name': 'tag:Name', 'Values': [name]}]))

if len(instances) == 0:
    print "can't find any instances"
    exit(1)

for i in instances:
    name = "unknown"
    for tag in i.tags:
        if tag['Key'] == 'Name':
            name = tag['Value']
    if cmd == 'start':
        i.start()
        print 'Starting', name, 'state:', i.state['Name']
    elif cmd == 'stop':
        i.stop()
        print 'Stopping', name, 'state:', i.state['Name']
    elif cmd == 'state':
        print 'Server', name, 'state:', i.state['Name']
    else:
        print "Unknown command:", cmd