The correct sequence is Initialize the app with an AWS CDK template -> Add stack code -> Build the project (optional) -> Synthesize the stacks -> Deploy to the account. This option matches the intended CDK workflow of scaffolding a CDK app then authoring constructs and stacks before producing CloudFormation templates and applying them to an account.

This flow is correct because you start by creating a CDK project and then add stack code. The optional build step ensures compiled languages and generated assets are ready before synthesis. Synthesis produces CloudFormation templates and asset manifests which the deploy step consumes to create or update resources in the target account. Running synth before deploy helps catch definition errors and prevents deploying incomplete artifacts.

Initialize the app with an AWS CDK template -> Add stack code -> Synthesize the app -> Deploy stacks -> Build the project is incorrect because it places the build step after deployment. Building must happen before synth and deploy to ensure compiled code and assets are included in the generated templates.

Initialize the app with an AWS CloudFormation template -> Add stack code -> Build the project (optional) -> Synthesize -> Deploy is incorrect because you do not start a CDK project from a raw CloudFormation template. CDK apps are initialized with CDK project templates which include the app entry point and language scaffolding.

Initialize using an AWS CloudFormation template -> Add stack code -> Synthesize the stacks -> Deploy -> Build the project is incorrect for two reasons. It uses the wrong initializer and it defers build until after deployment which breaks the synthesis and deployment process.

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