SQuill – Serverless Logging via SQS

SQuill is a lightweight logging helper for AWS Lambda environments that sends structured logs to an SQS queue for centralized collection and processing. Built for plug-and-play use via Lambda Layers.

Installation

npm install squill-logger

Features

• Log any entity-related event with a simple function call
• Sends structured JSON messages to an SQS queue
• Automatically supports metadata and source tagging
• Can be imported via Lambda Layer or directly in your app

Usage

import { sendLogToSqs } from 'squill';

await sendLogToSqs({
  entityType: 'ORDER',
  entityId: 'abc-123',
  type: 'ORDER_CREATED',
  message: 'Order created successfully',
  metadata: { amount: 500, currency: 'EUR' },
  source: 'order-service',        // optional
  entityGroup: 'establishment-1'  // optional
});

Environment Variables

Ensure the following environment variables are defined in your Lambda function's configuration (not the layer itself):

| Variable | Description | |----------|-------------| | REGION | The AWS region your Lambda is running in | | LOGGER_QUEUE_URL | The full SQS queue URL where logs should be sent |

These must be defined at the Lambda function level, not in the layer. Lambda Layers do not have their own environment — they inherit from the function that includes them.

Installation (via Lambda Layer)

1. Upload your squill code as a Lambda Layer (e.g., /opt/nodejs/squill.js).
2. In your Lambda function:
   • Add the Layer ARN under "Layers"
   • Add REGION and LOGGER_QUEUE_URL to your Lambda environment variables
3. Import and use:

   import { sendLogToSqs } from 'squill';

License

MIT – free to use and modify.

⚠️ About Environment Variables in Lambda Layers

Yes, as long as you set REGION and LOGGER_QUEUE_URL in the Lambda function, your sendLogToSqs function will access them just fine.

Lambda Layers do not isolate environment variables — they're just code libraries mounted under /opt. Any code inside them will share the same runtime environment as the Lambda that invokes it.