Terraform CLI overview - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the primary purpose of the Terraform CLI?

The Terraform CLI is a tool used to manage infrastructure as code. It helps create, change, and improve infrastructure safely and efficiently.

beginner

What does the terraform init command do?

It prepares your working directory by downloading necessary provider plugins and setting up the backend for storing state.

beginner

Explain the role of terraform plan.

This command shows what changes Terraform will make to your infrastructure without applying them. It helps you review before making changes.

beginner

What happens when you run terraform apply?

Terraform applies the planned changes to your infrastructure, creating, updating, or deleting resources as needed.

beginner

Why is terraform destroy used?

It removes all resources managed by your Terraform configuration, effectively cleaning up your infrastructure.

Which Terraform CLI command initializes the working directory?

A terraform destroy

B terraform plan

C terraform apply

D terraform init

terraform init sets up the directory by downloading providers and configuring the backend.

What does terraform plan show you?

A The changes Terraform will make

B The current state of your infrastructure

C The list of available providers

D The logs of previous runs

terraform plan previews changes without applying them.

Which command applies changes to your infrastructure?

A terraform apply

B terraform plan

C terraform init

D terraform validate

terraform apply makes the planned changes happen.

What is the effect of running terraform destroy?

A It updates resources

B It deletes all managed resources

C It initializes the directory

D It shows a plan

terraform destroy removes all resources managed by Terraform.

Before running terraform apply, what should you do to avoid surprises?

A Run terraform destroy

B Run terraform init

C Run terraform plan

D Run terraform validate

Running terraform plan helps you see changes before applying.

Describe the main Terraform CLI commands and their purposes.

Think about the workflow from setup to cleanup.

Explain why it is important to run terraform plan before terraform apply.

Consider how you check your work before making changes.