Error: localstack dynamodb not working

LocalStack DynamoDB needs a running LocalStack service and a client pointed at its endpoint. Installing the Python CLI alone does not start the emulator. Check container logs and use the same account identity, Region, and endpoint for table creation and application requests.

import boto3

db = boto3.client("dynamodb",
    endpoint_url="http://localhost:4566",
    region_name="us-east-1",
    aws_access_key_id="test",
    aws_secret_access_key="test",
)
print(db.list_tables())

The example is local-only. From another container on the same Docker network, replace localhost with the LocalStack service hostname. Standalone DynamoDB Local commonly uses port 8000; LocalStack exposes AWS services through its gateway on port 4566.

1. Check that the container started successfully and that any authentication required by your LocalStack distribution is configured.
2. If ListTables works but the application sees no table, compare Region, credentials, and startup migrations.
3. If tables disappear after restart, inspect persistence settings and mounted state storage before recreating data.
4. For one unsupported or differing API, check the current LocalStack DynamoDB documentation rather than assuming complete AWS equivalence.

See local endpoint setup and AWS documentation.