Difference between Amazon EC2 API tools and AMI tools?
amazon-ec2
Solution
The API tools serve as the client interface to the Amazon EC2 web service. Use these tools to register and launch instances, manipulate security groups, and more
The Amazon EC2 AMI Tools are command-line utilities to help bundle an Amazon Machine Image (AMI), create an AMI from an existing machine or installed volume, and upload a bundled AMI to Amazon S3.
From the definitions shown at Developer Tools.
So, if you want to manage instances, use API tools; if you want to build and upload an AMI (Amazon Machine Image), use AMI tools.
Problem
The developer tools page here list two set of tools for Amazon EC2 - Amazon EC2 API tools - Amazon EC2 AMI tools What are the differences between the two set of tools?