FAQ
How long does an SSO session last?
Two durations apply:
| Duration | Default | Configurable | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLI session | 1 hour | 15 min – 12h | IAM Identity Center → Settings → Authentication |
| Portal session | 8 hours | Depends on IdP | Your identity provider (Okta, Azure AD, etc.) |
The AWS CLI silently refreshes the 1h token without opening a browser, as long as the 8h portal session is valid.
What's the difference between ● and ⊙?
- ● (solid) — You explicitly clicked Login on this profile. Mimic tracks it as the active login.
- ⊙ (shared) — The SSO token is valid (someone logged in through another profile in the same org). You can use this profile but didn't authenticate through it.
Click Login on any ⊙ profile to switch the active login to it.
Can I use Mimic without AWS SSO?
Yes. Manually-defined profiles (static keys, AssumeRole chains) appear in the list and work with all Mimic features (labels, tags, search, sort, etc.). The only features that require SSO are:
- SSO login/logout
- Profile sync from Identity Center
- Auth status tracking
Where does Mimic store its config?
~/.config/mimic/config.json. Override with MIMIC_CONFIG_DIR env var.
Will Mimic modify my ~/.aws/config?
Only inside # BEGIN/END MIMIC GENERATED SSO PROFILES [name] markers. Everything else is preserved.
Can I use multiple Identity Center instances?
Yes. Add multiple organizations in the SSO organizations panel. Each gets its own [sso-session mimic-*] block and syncs independently.
How do I update Mimic?
Mimic checks for updates against GitHub Releases on the Help panel. Download the latest release and install over your existing copy (macOS: replace the .app, Linux: reinstall the package).
Does Mimic support Windows?
Not yet. The project targets macOS and Linux initially. Windows support would require additional Tauri plugin compatibility and testing.