Terraform apply for execution - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the terraform apply command do?

It executes the planned changes to create, update, or delete infrastructure resources as defined in the Terraform configuration files.

beginner

Why is it recommended to run terraform plan before terraform apply?

Because terraform plan shows the changes Terraform will make, helping you review and avoid unexpected modifications before applying them.

intermediate

What happens if you run terraform apply without a saved plan file?

Terraform will create a new plan automatically and prompt you to approve it before applying the changes.

intermediate

How can you apply a previously saved plan file with Terraform?

Use terraform apply <plan-file-name> to apply the exact changes from the saved plan without re-planning.

intermediate

What is the purpose of the -auto-approve flag in terraform apply?

It skips the interactive approval prompt and applies changes immediately, useful for automation but should be used carefully.

What does terraform apply primarily do?

A Deletes all infrastructure immediately

B Only shows planned changes without applying

C Creates or updates infrastructure based on configuration

D Validates syntax of configuration files

terraform apply executes the changes to infrastructure as defined in the configuration.

Which command should you run before terraform apply to review changes?

A terraform destroy

B terraform plan

C terraform init

D terraform validate

terraform plan shows the changes Terraform will make before applying.

What happens if you use terraform apply -auto-approve?

A Terraform cancels the apply process

B Terraform will ask for confirmation before applying

C Terraform only creates a plan but does not apply

D Terraform applies changes without asking for confirmation

The -auto-approve flag skips the confirmation prompt and applies changes immediately.

How do you apply a saved plan file named myplan.tfplan?

A terraform apply myplan.tfplan

B terraform plan myplan.tfplan

C terraform init myplan.tfplan

D terraform destroy myplan.tfplan

Use terraform apply <plan-file> to apply a saved plan.

If you run terraform apply without a plan file, what happens?

A Terraform creates a new plan and asks for approval

B Terraform deletes all resources

C Terraform fails with an error

D Terraform skips applying changes

Terraform automatically creates a plan and prompts for approval before applying.

Explain the purpose and typical workflow of the terraform apply command.

Think about how Terraform changes your cloud setup after planning.

Describe how to safely automate Terraform apply in a CI/CD pipeline.

Automation means no manual approval but still safe.

Practice

1. What does the terraform apply command do in simple terms?

easy

A. It backs up your cloud resources to local storage.

B. It creates or changes cloud resources based on your configuration.

C. It only shows a list of resources without making changes.

D. It deletes all your cloud resources immediately.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of terraform apply

   The command is used to make your cloud setup real by creating or updating resources defined in your configuration files.

2. Step 2: Compare options with command behavior

   Only It creates or changes cloud resources based on your configuration. correctly describes this behavior. Options A, B, and C describe actions terraform apply does not perform.

3. Final Answer:

   It creates or changes cloud resources based on your configuration. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   terraform apply = create/change resources [OK]

Hint: Remember: apply means 'make changes happen' [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking terraform apply only shows plans without applying
• Confusing terraform apply with terraform destroy
• Assuming terraform apply backs up resources

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to run terraform apply without asking for approval?

easy

A. terraform apply -skip-confirm

B. terraform apply --no-approval

C. terraform apply -auto-approve

D. terraform apply --force

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall terraform apply options for skipping approval

   The official option to skip manual approval is -auto-approve.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Options B, C, and D are not valid terraform flags and will cause errors.

3. Final Answer:

   terraform apply -auto-approve -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   -auto-approve skips approval [OK]

Hint: Use -auto-approve to skip approval prompt [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using incorrect flags like --no-approval
• Trying to use --force which is invalid
• Assuming terraform apply never asks for approval

3. Given this terraform apply output snippet:

Plan: 2 to add, 1 to change, 0 to destroy.

What will happen after you approve the apply?

medium

A. Two resources will be created, one resource will be updated, none deleted.

B. Two resources will be deleted, one created, none updated.

C. One resource will be created, two updated, none deleted.

D. No changes will happen because destroy count is zero.

Solution

1. Step 1: Interpret the plan summary

   The plan says 2 to add means 2 new resources will be created, 1 to change means 1 existing resource will be updated, and 0 to destroy means no resources will be deleted.

2. Step 2: Match the plan to the options

   Only Two resources will be created, one resource will be updated, none deleted. correctly describes this outcome. Options A, C, and D misunderstand the counts.

3. Final Answer:

   Two resources will be created, one resource will be updated, none deleted. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Plan add=2, change=1, destroy=0 [OK]

Hint: Add = create, change = update, destroy = delete [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up add and destroy counts
• Assuming zero destroy means no changes at all
• Confusing change with destroy

4. You run terraform apply but get an error: Error: No configuration files found. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. You ran terraform apply in a directory without terraform files.

B. You forgot to initialize terraform with terraform init.

C. You used the wrong terraform version.

D. You did not approve the plan before applying.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   The error says no configuration files found, meaning terraform cannot find any .tf files in the current folder.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   You ran terraform apply in a directory without terraform files. matches this cause. You forgot to initialize terraform with terraform init. would cause a different error about initialization. You used the wrong terraform version. is unlikely to cause this specific error. You did not approve the plan before applying. is unrelated because approval happens after plan generation.

3. Final Answer:

   You ran terraform apply in a directory without terraform files. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   No .tf files = error [OK]

Hint: Check current folder for .tf files before apply [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming terraform init missing causes this error
• Thinking approval is needed before apply runs
• Blaming terraform version without checking files

5. You want to automate terraform apply in a CI/CD pipeline but avoid manual approval. Which command and practice is best?

hard

A. Use terraform apply --force to skip all checks.

B. Run terraform apply directly without plan or approval.

C. Run terraform plan only, then manually approve changes later.

D. Use terraform apply -auto-approve after running terraform plan and saving the plan file.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand CI/CD automation needs

   Automation requires no manual approval and safe application of changes. Saving a plan file ensures the exact changes are applied.

2. Step 2: Evaluate command options

   Use terraform apply -auto-approve after running terraform plan and saving the plan file. correctly uses terraform plan to create a plan file, then applies it with -auto-approve to skip manual confirmation. Run terraform apply directly without plan or approval. skips planning, which is risky. Run terraform plan only, then manually approve changes later. requires manual approval, not automated. Use terraform apply --force to skip all checks. uses an invalid flag.

3. Final Answer:

   Use terraform apply -auto-approve after running terraform plan and saving the plan file. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Plan then apply with -auto-approve for automation [OK]

Hint: Plan first, then apply with -auto-approve in automation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping plan step in automation
• Using invalid flags like --force
• Expecting manual approval in CI/CD