diff --git a/cli/cmd/cluster.go b/cli/cmd/cluster.go
index 99d18ea156..84f5fd0567 100644
--- a/cli/cmd/cluster.go
+++ b/cli/cmd/cluster.go
@@ -44,9 +44,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 var (
-	_flagClusterEnv       string
-	_flagClusterConfig    string
-	_flagClusterInfoDebug bool
+	_flagClusterEnv            string
+	_flagClusterConfig         string
+	_flagClusterInfoDebug      bool
+	_flagClusterDisallowPrompt bool
 )
 
 func clusterInit() {
@@ -55,21 +56,25 @@ func clusterInit() {
 	_upCmd.Flags().SortFlags = false
 	addClusterConfigFlag(_upCmd)
 	_upCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&_flagClusterEnv, "env", "e", defaultEnv, "environment to configure")
+	_upCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagClusterDisallowPrompt, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
 	_clusterCmd.AddCommand(_upCmd)
 
 	_infoCmd.Flags().SortFlags = false
 	addClusterConfigFlag(_infoCmd)
 	_infoCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&_flagClusterEnv, "env", "e", defaultEnv, "environment to configure")
 	_infoCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagClusterInfoDebug, "debug", "d", false, "save the current cluster state to a file")
+	_infoCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagClusterDisallowPrompt, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
 	_clusterCmd.AddCommand(_infoCmd)
 
 	_updateCmd.Flags().SortFlags = false
 	addClusterConfigFlag(_updateCmd)
 	_updateCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&_flagClusterEnv, "env", "e", defaultEnv, "environment to configure")
+	_updateCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagClusterDisallowPrompt, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
 	_clusterCmd.AddCommand(_updateCmd)
 
 	_downCmd.Flags().SortFlags = false
 	addClusterConfigFlag(_downCmd)
+	_downCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagClusterDisallowPrompt, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
 	_clusterCmd.AddCommand(_downCmd)
 }
 
@@ -98,13 +103,16 @@ var _upCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		promptForEmail()
-		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv)
+		if !_flagClusterDisallowPrompt {
+			promptForEmail()
+		}
+
+		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		clusterConfig, err := getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds, _flagClusterEnv)
+		clusterConfig, err := getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds, _flagClusterEnv, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
@@ -170,12 +178,12 @@ var _updateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv)
+		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig()
+		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig(_flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
@@ -198,9 +206,9 @@ var _updateCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		cachedClusterConfig := refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds)
+		cachedClusterConfig := refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 
-		clusterConfig, err := getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig, awsCreds)
+		clusterConfig, err := getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig, awsCreds, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
@@ -232,12 +240,12 @@ var _infoCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv)
+		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig()
+		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig(_flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
@@ -245,7 +253,7 @@ var _infoCmd = &cobra.Command{
 		if _flagClusterInfoDebug {
 			cmdDebug(awsCreds, accessConfig)
 		} else {
-			cmdInfo(awsCreds, accessConfig)
+			cmdInfo(awsCreds, accessConfig, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		}
 	},
 }
@@ -261,12 +269,12 @@ var _downCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv)
+		awsCreds, err := getAWSCredentials(_flagClusterConfig, _flagClusterEnv, _flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
 
-		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig()
+		accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig(_flagClusterDisallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			exit.Error(err)
 		}
@@ -293,7 +301,9 @@ var _downCmd = &cobra.Command{
 			exit.Error(ErrorClusterAlreadyDeleted(*accessConfig.ClusterName, *accessConfig.Region))
 		}
 
-		prompt.YesOrExit(fmt.Sprintf("your cluster (%s in %s) will be spun down and all apis will be deleted, are you sure you want to continue?", *accessConfig.ClusterName, *accessConfig.Region), "", "")
+		if !_flagClusterDisallowPrompt {
+			prompt.YesOrExit(fmt.Sprintf("your cluster (%s in %s) will be spun down and all apis will be deleted, are you sure you want to continue?", *accessConfig.ClusterName, *accessConfig.Region), "", "")
+		}
 
 		out, exitCode, err := runManagerAccessCommand("/root/uninstall.sh", *accessConfig, awsCreds, _flagClusterEnv)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -353,7 +363,7 @@ func promptForEmail() {
 	}
 }
 
-func cmdInfo(awsCreds AWSCredentials, accessConfig *clusterconfig.AccessConfig) {
+func cmdInfo(awsCreds AWSCredentials, accessConfig *clusterconfig.AccessConfig, disallowPrompt bool) {
 	awsClient, err := newAWSClient(*accessConfig.Region, awsCreds)
 	if err != nil {
 		exit.Error(err)
@@ -378,7 +388,7 @@ func cmdInfo(awsCreds AWSCredentials, accessConfig *clusterconfig.AccessConfig)
 		exit.Error(err)
 	}
 
-	clusterConfig := refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds)
+	clusterConfig := refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds, disallowPrompt)
 
 	out, exitCode, err := runManagerAccessCommand("/root/info.sh", *accessConfig, awsCreds, _flagClusterEnv)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -440,7 +450,12 @@ func cmdInfo(awsCreds AWSCredentials, accessConfig *clusterconfig.AccessConfig)
 	} else if *prevEnv.OperatorEndpoint != operatorConfig.OperatorEndpoint || *prevEnv.AWSAccessKeyID != operatorConfig.AWSAccessKeyID || *prevEnv.AWSSecretAccessKey != operatorConfig.AWSSecretAccessKey {
 		fmt.Println()
 		fmt.Println(newEnvironment.String(false))
-		shouldWriteEnv = prompt.YesOrNo(fmt.Sprintf("found an existing environment named \"%s\"; would you like to overwrite it with the configuration above?", _flagClusterEnv), "", "")
+		if disallowPrompt {
+			fmt.Print(fmt.Sprintf("found an existing environment named \"%s\"; overwriting it with the configuration above\n\n", _flagClusterEnv))
+			shouldWriteEnv = true
+		} else {
+			shouldWriteEnv = prompt.YesOrNo(fmt.Sprintf("found an existing environment named \"%s\"; would you like to overwrite it with the configuration above?", _flagClusterEnv), "", "")
+		}
 	}
 
 	if shouldWriteEnv {
@@ -473,8 +488,8 @@ func cmdDebug(awsCreds AWSCredentials, accessConfig *clusterconfig.AccessConfig)
 	return
 }
 
-func refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials) clusterconfig.Config {
-	accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig()
+func refreshCachedClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, disallowPrompt bool) clusterconfig.Config {
+	accessConfig, err := getClusterAccessConfig(disallowPrompt)
 	if err != nil {
 		exit.Error(err)
 	}
diff --git a/cli/cmd/deploy.go b/cli/cmd/deploy.go
index 1667569127..e4441441b8 100644
--- a/cli/cmd/deploy.go
+++ b/cli/cmd/deploy.go
@@ -44,16 +44,16 @@ var (
 	_warningProjectBytes = 1024 * 1024 * 10
 	_warningFileCount    = 1000
 
-	_flagDeployEnv   string
-	_flagDeployForce bool
-	_flagDeployYes   bool
+	_flagDeployEnv            string
+	_flagDeployForce          bool
+	_flagDeployDisallowPrompt bool
 )
 
 func deployInit() {
 	_deployCmd.Flags().SortFlags = false
 	_deployCmd.Flags().StringVarP(&_flagDeployEnv, "env", "e", getDefaultEnv(_generalCommandType), "environment to use")
 	_deployCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagDeployForce, "force", "f", false, "override the in-progress api update")
-	_deployCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagDeployYes, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
+	_deployCmd.Flags().BoolVarP(&_flagDeployDisallowPrompt, "yes", "y", false, "skip prompts")
 }
 
 var _deployCmd = &cobra.Command{
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ func findProjectFiles(provider types.ProviderType, configPath string) ([]string,
 		ignoreFns = append(ignoreFns, cortexIgnore)
 	}
 
-	if !_flagDeployYes && provider != types.LocalProviderType {
+	if !_flagDeployDisallowPrompt && provider != types.LocalProviderType {
 		ignoreFns = append(ignoreFns, files.PromptForFilesAboveSize(_warningFileBytes, "do you want to upload %s (%s)?"))
 	}
 
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func getDeploymentBytes(provider types.ProviderType, configPath string) (map[str
 	}
 
 	didPromptFileCount := false
-	if !_flagDeployYes && len(projectPaths) >= _warningFileCount {
+	if !_flagDeployDisallowPrompt && len(projectPaths) >= _warningFileCount {
 		msg := fmt.Sprintf("cortex will zip %d files in %s and upload them to the cluster; we recommend that you upload large files/directories (e.g. models) to s3 and download them in your api's __init__ function, and avoid sending unnecessary files by removing them from this directory or referencing them in a .cortexignore file. Would you like to continue?", len(projectPaths), rootDirMsg)
 		prompt.YesOrExit(msg, canSkipPromptMsg, "")
 		didPromptFileCount = true
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ func getDeploymentBytes(provider types.ProviderType, configPath string) (map[str
 		return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed to zip project folder")
 	}
 
-	if !_flagDeployYes && !didPromptFileCount && len(projectZipBytes) >= _warningProjectBytes {
+	if !_flagDeployDisallowPrompt && !didPromptFileCount && len(projectZipBytes) >= _warningProjectBytes {
 		msg := fmt.Sprintf("cortex will zip %d files in %s (%s) and upload them to the cluster, though we recommend you upload large files (e.g. models) to s3 and download them in your api's __init__ function. Would you like to continue?", len(projectPaths), rootDirMsg, s.IntToBase2Byte(len(projectZipBytes)))
 		prompt.YesOrExit(msg, canSkipPromptMsg, "")
 	}
diff --git a/cli/cmd/errors.go b/cli/cmd/errors.go
index 8fd3677cf0..7f1fa649ee 100644
--- a/cli/cmd/errors.go
+++ b/cli/cmd/errors.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import (
 	s "github.com/cortexlabs/cortex/pkg/lib/strings"
 	"github.com/cortexlabs/cortex/pkg/lib/urls"
 	"github.com/cortexlabs/cortex/pkg/types"
+	"github.com/cortexlabs/cortex/pkg/types/clusterconfig"
 	"github.com/cortexlabs/cortex/pkg/types/clusterstate"
 )
 
@@ -43,34 +44,37 @@ func getCloudFormationURL(clusterName, region string) string {
 }
 
 const (
-	ErrInvalidProvider                    = "cli.invalid_provider"
-	ErrNotSupportedInLocalEnvironment     = "cli.not_supported_in_local_environment"
-	ErrEnvironmentNotFound                = "cli.environment_not_found"
-	ErrOperatorEndpointInLocalEnvironment = "cli.operator_endpoint_in_local_environment"
-	ErrOperatorConfigFromLocalEnvironment = "cli.operater_config_from_local_environment"
-	ErrFieldNotFoundInEnvironment         = "cli.err_field_not_found_in_environment"
-	ErrInvalidOperatorEndpoint            = "cli.invalid_operator_endpoint"
-	ErrCortexYAMLNotFound                 = "cli.cortex_yaml_not_found"
-	ErrConnectToDockerDaemon              = "cli.connect_to_docker_daemon"
-	ErrDockerPermissions                  = "cli.docker_permissions"
-	ErrDockerCtrlC                        = "cli.docker_ctrl_c"
-	ErrResponseUnknown                    = "cli.response_unknown"
-	ErrAPINotReady                        = "cli.api_not_ready"
-	ErrOneAWSEnvVarSet                    = "cli.one_aws_env_var_set"
-	ErrOneAWSConfigFieldSet               = "cli.one_aws_config_field_set"
-	ErrClusterUp                          = "cli.cluster_up"
-	ErrClusterUpdate                      = "cli.cluster_update"
-	ErrClusterInfo                        = "cli.cluster_info"
-	ErrClusterDebug                       = "cli.cluster_debug"
-	ErrClusterRefresh                     = "cli.cluster_refresh"
-	ErrClusterDown                        = "cli.cluster_down"
-	ErrDuplicateCLIEnvNames               = "cli.duplicate_cli_env_names"
-	ErrClusterUpInProgress                = "cli.cluster_up_in_progress"
-	ErrClusterAlreadyCreated              = "cli.cluster_already_created"
-	ErrClusterDownInProgress              = "cli.cluster_down_in_progress"
-	ErrClusterAlreadyDeleted              = "cli.cluster_already_deleted"
-	ErrFailedClusterStatus                = "cli.failed_cluster_status"
-	ErrClusterDoesNotExist                = "cli.cluster_does_not_exist"
+	ErrInvalidProvider                      = "cli.invalid_provider"
+	ErrNotSupportedInLocalEnvironment       = "cli.not_supported_in_local_environment"
+	ErrEnvironmentNotFound                  = "cli.environment_not_found"
+	ErrOperatorEndpointInLocalEnvironment   = "cli.operator_endpoint_in_local_environment"
+	ErrOperatorConfigFromLocalEnvironment   = "cli.operater_config_from_local_environment"
+	ErrFieldNotFoundInEnvironment           = "cli.err_field_not_found_in_environment"
+	ErrInvalidOperatorEndpoint              = "cli.invalid_operator_endpoint"
+	ErrCortexYAMLNotFound                   = "cli.cortex_yaml_not_found"
+	ErrConnectToDockerDaemon                = "cli.connect_to_docker_daemon"
+	ErrDockerPermissions                    = "cli.docker_permissions"
+	ErrDockerCtrlC                          = "cli.docker_ctrl_c"
+	ErrResponseUnknown                      = "cli.response_unknown"
+	ErrAPINotReady                          = "cli.api_not_ready"
+	ErrOneAWSEnvVarSet                      = "cli.one_aws_env_var_set"
+	ErrOneAWSConfigFieldSet                 = "cli.one_aws_config_field_set"
+	ErrClusterUp                            = "cli.cluster_up"
+	ErrClusterUpdate                        = "cli.cluster_update"
+	ErrClusterInfo                          = "cli.cluster_info"
+	ErrClusterDebug                         = "cli.cluster_debug"
+	ErrClusterRefresh                       = "cli.cluster_refresh"
+	ErrClusterDown                          = "cli.cluster_down"
+	ErrDuplicateCLIEnvNames                 = "cli.duplicate_cli_env_names"
+	ErrClusterUpInProgress                  = "cli.cluster_up_in_progress"
+	ErrClusterAlreadyCreated                = "cli.cluster_already_created"
+	ErrClusterDownInProgress                = "cli.cluster_down_in_progress"
+	ErrClusterAlreadyDeleted                = "cli.cluster_already_deleted"
+	ErrFailedClusterStatus                  = "cli.failed_cluster_status"
+	ErrClusterDoesNotExist                  = "cli.cluster_does_not_exist"
+	ErrAWSCredentialsRequired               = "cli.aws_credentials_required"
+	ErrClusterConfigOrPromptsRequired       = "cli.cluster_config_or_prompts_required"
+	ErrClusterAccessConfigOrPromptsRequired = "cli.cluster_access_config_or_prompts_required"
 )
 
 func ErrorInvalidProvider(providerStr string) error {
@@ -287,3 +291,24 @@ func ErrorFailedClusterStatus(status clusterstate.Status, clusterName string, re
 		Message: fmt.Sprintf("cluster \"%s\" in %s encountered an unexpected status %s, please try to delete the cluster with `cortex cluster down` or delete the cloudformation stacks manually in your AWS console %s", clusterName, region, string(status), getCloudFormationURL(clusterName, region)),
 	})
 }
+
+func ErrorAWSCredentialsRequired() error {
+	return errors.WithStack(&errors.Error{
+		Kind:    ErrAWSCredentialsRequired,
+		Message: "AWS credentials are required; please set them in your cluster configuration file (if you're using one), your environment variables (i.e. AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID and AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY), or your AWS CLI (i.e. via `aws configure`)",
+	})
+}
+
+func ErrorClusterConfigOrPromptsRequired() error {
+	return errors.WithStack(&errors.Error{
+		Kind:    ErrClusterConfigOrPromptsRequired,
+		Message: "this command requires either a cluster configuration file (e.g. `--config=cluster.yaml`) or prompts to be enabled (i.e. omit the `--yes` flag)",
+	})
+}
+
+func ErrorClusterAccessConfigOrPromptsRequired() error {
+	return errors.WithStack(&errors.Error{
+		Kind:    ErrClusterAccessConfigOrPromptsRequired,
+		Message: fmt.Sprintf("please provide a cluster configuration file which specifies `%s` and `%s` (e.g. `--config=cluster.yaml`) or enable prompts (i.e. omit the `--yes` flag)", clusterconfig.ClusterNameKey, clusterconfig.RegionKey),
+	})
+}
diff --git a/cli/cmd/lib_aws_creds.go b/cli/cmd/lib_aws_creds.go
index cb37d1109a..fc29d15a68 100644
--- a/cli/cmd/lib_aws_creds.go
+++ b/cli/cmd/lib_aws_creds.go
@@ -51,14 +51,19 @@ func newAWSClient(region string, awsCreds AWSCredentials) (*aws.Client, error) {
 	return awsClient, nil
 }
 
-func promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient *aws.Client) {
+func promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient *aws.Client, disallowPrompt bool) {
 	accessKeyMsg := ""
 	if accessKey := awsClient.AccessKeyID(); accessKey != nil {
 		accessKeyMsg = fmt.Sprintf(" (with access key %s)", *accessKey)
 	}
 
 	if !awsClient.IsAdmin() {
-		prompt.YesOrExit(fmt.Sprintf("warning: your IAM user%s does not have administrator access. This will likely prevent Cortex from installing correctly, so it is recommended to attach the AdministratorAccess policy to your IAM user (or to a group that your IAM user belongs to) via the AWS IAM console. If you'd like, you may provide separate credentials for your cluster to use after it's running (see https://cortex.dev/cluster-management/security for instructions).\n\nare you sure you want to continue without administrator access?", accessKeyMsg), "", "")
+		warningStr := fmt.Sprintf("warning: your IAM user%s does not have administrator access. This will likely prevent Cortex from installing correctly, so it is recommended to attach the AdministratorAccess policy to your IAM user (or to a group that your IAM user belongs to) via the AWS IAM console. If you'd like, you may provide separate credentials for your cluster to use after it's running (see https://cortex.dev/cluster-management/security for instructions).\n\n", accessKeyMsg)
+		if disallowPrompt {
+			fmt.Print(warningStr)
+		} else {
+			prompt.YesOrExit(warningStr+"are you sure you want to continue without administrator access?", "", "")
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -138,7 +143,7 @@ func readAWSCredsFromConfigFile(awsCreds *AWSCredentials, path string) error {
 }
 
 // awsCreds is what was read from the cluster config YAML
-func setInstallAWSCredentials(awsCreds *AWSCredentials, envName string) error {
+func setInstallAWSCredentials(awsCreds *AWSCredentials, envName string, disallowPrompt bool) error {
 	// First check env vars
 	if os.Getenv("AWS_SESSION_TOKEN") != "" {
 		fmt.Println("warning: credentials requiring aws session tokens are not supported")
@@ -184,6 +189,9 @@ func setInstallAWSCredentials(awsCreds *AWSCredentials, envName string) error {
 	}
 
 	// Prompt
+	if disallowPrompt {
+		return ErrorAWSCredentialsRequired()
+	}
 	err = cr.ReadPrompt(awsCreds, _awsCredentialsPromptValidation)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -224,14 +232,14 @@ func setOperatorAWSCredentials(awsCreds *AWSCredentials) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func getAWSCredentials(userClusterConfigPath string, envName string) (AWSCredentials, error) {
+func getAWSCredentials(userClusterConfigPath string, envName string, disallowPrompt bool) (AWSCredentials, error) {
 	awsCreds := AWSCredentials{}
 
 	if userClusterConfigPath != "" {
 		readAWSCredsFromConfigFile(&awsCreds, userClusterConfigPath)
 	}
 
-	err := setInstallAWSCredentials(&awsCreds, envName)
+	err := setInstallAWSCredentials(&awsCreds, envName, disallowPrompt)
 	if err != nil {
 		return AWSCredentials{}, err
 	}
diff --git a/cli/cmd/lib_cluster_config.go b/cli/cmd/lib_cluster_config.go
index 2b2e89f91f..003d5c0fee 100644
--- a/cli/cmd/lib_cluster_config.go
+++ b/cli/cmd/lib_cluster_config.go
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func readUserClusterConfigFile(clusterConfig *clusterconfig.Config) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func getClusterAccessConfig() (*clusterconfig.AccessConfig, error) {
+func getClusterAccessConfig(disallowPrompt bool) (*clusterconfig.AccessConfig, error) {
 	accessConfig, err := clusterconfig.DefaultAccessConfig()
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -108,6 +108,20 @@ func getClusterAccessConfig() (*clusterconfig.AccessConfig, error) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if disallowPrompt {
+		if len(cachedPaths) > 1 && (accessConfig.ClusterName == nil || accessConfig.Region == nil) {
+			return nil, ErrorClusterAccessConfigOrPromptsRequired()
+		}
+
+		if accessConfig.ClusterName == nil {
+			accessConfig.ClusterName = pointer.String("cortex")
+		}
+		if accessConfig.Region == nil {
+			accessConfig.Region = pointer.String("us-west-2")
+		}
+		return accessConfig, nil
+	}
+
 	err = cr.ReadPrompt(accessConfig, clusterconfig.AccessPromptValidation)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -116,7 +130,7 @@ func getClusterAccessConfig() (*clusterconfig.AccessConfig, error) {
 	return accessConfig, nil
 }
 
-func getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, envName string) (*clusterconfig.Config, error) {
+func getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, envName string, disallowPrompt bool) (*clusterconfig.Config, error) {
 	clusterConfig := &clusterconfig.Config{}
 
 	err := clusterconfig.SetDefaults(clusterConfig)
@@ -131,7 +145,7 @@ func getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, envName string) (*clusterc
 		}
 	}
 
-	err = clusterconfig.RegionPrompt(clusterConfig)
+	err = clusterconfig.RegionPrompt(clusterConfig, disallowPrompt)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -140,9 +154,9 @@ func getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, envName string) (*clusterc
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient)
+	promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient, disallowPrompt)
 
-	err = clusterconfig.InstallPrompt(clusterConfig, awsClient)
+	err = clusterconfig.InstallPrompt(clusterConfig, awsClient, disallowPrompt)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -160,26 +174,32 @@ func getInstallClusterConfig(awsCreds AWSCredentials, envName string) (*clusterc
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	confirmInstallClusterConfig(clusterConfig, awsCreds, awsClient, envName)
+	confirmInstallClusterConfig(clusterConfig, awsCreds, awsClient, envName, disallowPrompt)
 
 	return clusterConfig, nil
 }
 
-func getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials) (*clusterconfig.Config, error) {
+func getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, disallowPrompt bool) (*clusterconfig.Config, error) {
 	userClusterConfig := &clusterconfig.Config{}
 	var awsClient *aws.Client
 
 	if _flagClusterConfig == "" {
+		if disallowPrompt {
+			return nil, ErrorClusterConfigOrPromptsRequired()
+		}
+
 		userClusterConfig = &cachedClusterConfig
-		err := cr.ReadPrompt(userClusterConfig, clusterconfig.UpdatePromptValidation(false, &cachedClusterConfig))
+		err := clusterconfig.UpdatePrompt(userClusterConfig, &cachedClusterConfig, false, disallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
+
 		awsClient, err = newAWSClient(*userClusterConfig.Region, awsCreds)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient)
+		promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient, disallowPrompt)
+
 	} else {
 		err := readUserClusterConfigFile(userClusterConfig)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -192,7 +212,7 @@ func getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds A
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient)
+		promptIfNotAdmin(awsClient, disallowPrompt)
 
 		if userClusterConfig.Bucket != "" && userClusterConfig.Bucket != cachedClusterConfig.Bucket {
 			return nil, clusterconfig.ErrorConfigCannotBeChangedOnUpdate(clusterconfig.BucketKey, cachedClusterConfig.Bucket)
@@ -262,7 +282,7 @@ func getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds A
 		}
 		userClusterConfig.SpotConfig = cachedClusterConfig.SpotConfig
 
-		err = cr.ReadPrompt(userClusterConfig, clusterconfig.UpdatePromptValidation(true, &cachedClusterConfig))
+		err = clusterconfig.UpdatePrompt(userClusterConfig, &cachedClusterConfig, true, disallowPrompt)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
@@ -282,12 +302,12 @@ func getClusterUpdateConfig(cachedClusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds A
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	confirmUpdateClusterConfig(*userClusterConfig, awsCreds, awsClient)
+	confirmUpdateClusterConfig(*userClusterConfig, awsCreds, awsClient, disallowPrompt)
 
 	return userClusterConfig, nil
 }
 
-func confirmInstallClusterConfig(clusterConfig *clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, awsClient *aws.Client, envName string) {
+func confirmInstallClusterConfig(clusterConfig *clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, awsClient *aws.Client, envName string, disallowPrompt bool) {
 	eksPrice := aws.EKSPrices[*clusterConfig.Region]
 	operatorInstancePrice := aws.InstanceMetadatas[*clusterConfig.Region]["t3.medium"].Price
 	operatorEBSPrice := aws.EBSMetadatas[*clusterConfig.Region].Price * 20 / 30 / 24
@@ -371,15 +391,19 @@ func confirmInstallClusterConfig(clusterConfig *clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds A
 		fmt.Println()
 	}
 
-	exitMessage := fmt.Sprintf("cluster configuration can be modified via the cluster config file; see https://cortex.dev/v/%s/cluster-management/config for more information", consts.CortexVersionMinor)
-	prompt.YesOrExit("would you like to continue?", "", exitMessage)
+	if !disallowPrompt {
+		exitMessage := fmt.Sprintf("cluster configuration can be modified via the cluster config file; see https://cortex.dev/v/%s/cluster-management/config for more information", consts.CortexVersionMinor)
+		prompt.YesOrExit("would you like to continue?", "", exitMessage)
+	}
 }
 
-func confirmUpdateClusterConfig(clusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, awsClient *aws.Client) {
+func confirmUpdateClusterConfig(clusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, awsClient *aws.Client, disallowPrompt bool) {
 	fmt.Println(clusterConfigConfirmaionStr(clusterConfig, awsCreds, awsClient))
 
-	exitMessage := fmt.Sprintf("cluster configuration can be modified via the cluster config file; see https://cortex.dev/v/%s/cluster-management/config for more information", consts.CortexVersionMinor)
-	prompt.YesOrExit(fmt.Sprintf("your cluster (%s in %s) will be updated according to the configuration above, are you sure you want to continue?", clusterConfig.ClusterName, *clusterConfig.Region), "", exitMessage)
+	if !disallowPrompt {
+		exitMessage := fmt.Sprintf("cluster configuration can be modified via the cluster config file; see https://cortex.dev/v/%s/cluster-management/config for more information", consts.CortexVersionMinor)
+		prompt.YesOrExit(fmt.Sprintf("your cluster (%s in %s) will be updated according to the configuration above, are you sure you want to continue?", clusterConfig.ClusterName, *clusterConfig.Region), "", exitMessage)
+	}
 }
 
 func clusterConfigConfirmaionStr(clusterConfig clusterconfig.Config, awsCreds AWSCredentials, awsClient *aws.Client) string {
diff --git a/docs/cluster-management/cli.md b/docs/cluster-management/cli.md
index 402c12d9f0..e10b2b1877 100644
--- a/docs/cluster-management/cli.md
+++ b/docs/cluster-management/cli.md
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ Usage:
 Flags:
   -c, --config string   path to a cluster configuration file
   -e, --env string      environment to configure (default "aws")
+  -y, --yes             skip prompts
   -h, --help            help for up
 ```
 
@@ -113,6 +114,7 @@ Flags:
   -c, --config string   path to a cluster configuration file
   -e, --env string      environment to configure (default "aws")
   -d, --debug           save the current cluster state to a file
+  -y, --yes             skip prompts
   -h, --help            help for info
 ```
 
@@ -127,6 +129,7 @@ Usage:
 Flags:
   -c, --config string   path to a cluster configuration file
   -e, --env string      environment to configure (default "aws")
+  -y, --yes             skip prompts
   -h, --help            help for update
 ```
 
@@ -140,6 +143,7 @@ Usage:
 
 Flags:
   -c, --config string   path to a cluster configuration file
+  -y, --yes             skip prompts
   -h, --help            help for down
 ```
 
diff --git a/pkg/types/clusterconfig/clusterconfig.go b/pkg/types/clusterconfig/clusterconfig.go
index 671362afbb..3f40e25522 100644
--- a/pkg/types/clusterconfig/clusterconfig.go
+++ b/pkg/types/clusterconfig/clusterconfig.go
@@ -585,8 +585,16 @@ func applyPromptDefaults(defaults Config) *Config {
 	return defaultConfig
 }
 
-func RegionPrompt(clusterConfig *Config) error {
+func RegionPrompt(clusterConfig *Config, disallowPrompt bool) error {
 	defaults := applyPromptDefaults(*clusterConfig)
+
+	if disallowPrompt {
+		if clusterConfig.Region == nil {
+			clusterConfig.Region = defaults.Region
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	regionPrompt := &cr.PromptValidation{
 		SkipNonNilFields: true,
 		PromptItemValidations: []*cr.PromptItemValidation{
@@ -610,7 +618,7 @@ func RegionPrompt(clusterConfig *Config) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func InstallPrompt(clusterConfig *Config, awsClient *aws.Client) error {
+func InstallPrompt(clusterConfig *Config, awsClient *aws.Client, disallowPrompt bool) error {
 	defaults := applyPromptDefaults(*clusterConfig)
 	accountID, _, err := awsClient.GetCachedAccountID()
 	if err != nil {
@@ -626,6 +634,22 @@ func InstallPrompt(clusterConfig *Config, awsClient *aws.Client) error {
 		defaultBucket = defaultBucket[:len(defaultBucket)-1]
 	}
 
+	if disallowPrompt {
+		if clusterConfig.Bucket == "" {
+			clusterConfig.Bucket = defaultBucket
+		}
+		if clusterConfig.InstanceType == nil {
+			clusterConfig.InstanceType = defaults.InstanceType
+		}
+		if clusterConfig.MinInstances == nil {
+			clusterConfig.MinInstances = defaults.MinInstances
+		}
+		if clusterConfig.MaxInstances == nil {
+			clusterConfig.MaxInstances = defaults.MaxInstances
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
 	remainingPrompts := &cr.PromptValidation{
 		SkipNonNilFields:   true,
 		SkipNonEmptyFields: true,
@@ -686,10 +710,28 @@ func InstallPrompt(clusterConfig *Config, awsClient *aws.Client) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func UpdatePromptValidation(skipPopulatedFields bool, userClusterConfig *Config) *cr.PromptValidation {
-	defaults := applyPromptDefaults(*userClusterConfig)
+func UpdatePrompt(userClusterConfig *Config, cachedClusterConfig *Config, skipPopulatedFields bool, disallowPrompt bool) error {
+	defaults := applyPromptDefaults(*cachedClusterConfig)
 
-	return &cr.PromptValidation{
+	if disallowPrompt {
+		if userClusterConfig.MinInstances == nil {
+			if cachedClusterConfig.MinInstances != nil {
+				userClusterConfig.MinInstances = cachedClusterConfig.MinInstances
+			} else {
+				userClusterConfig.MinInstances = defaults.MinInstances
+			}
+		}
+		if userClusterConfig.MaxInstances == nil {
+			if cachedClusterConfig.MaxInstances != nil {
+				userClusterConfig.MaxInstances = cachedClusterConfig.MaxInstances
+			} else {
+				userClusterConfig.MaxInstances = defaults.MaxInstances
+			}
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	remainingPrompts := &cr.PromptValidation{
 		SkipNonNilFields: skipPopulatedFields,
 		PromptItemValidations: []*cr.PromptItemValidation{
 			{
@@ -716,6 +758,13 @@ func UpdatePromptValidation(skipPopulatedFields bool, userClusterConfig *Config)
 			},
 		},
 	}
+
+	err := cr.ReadPrompt(userClusterConfig, remainingPrompts)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 var AccessPromptValidation = &cr.PromptValidation{