Terraform state list command - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ service_behavior

intermediate

What does the command terraform state list output?

You run terraform state list in your Terraform project directory. What will this command show you?

A A list of all resources currently tracked in the Terraform state file.

B A list of all resources defined in the Terraform configuration files, regardless of state.

C A detailed JSON output of the current Terraform state file contents.

D A list of all Terraform modules used in the configuration.

💡 Hint

Think about what Terraform tracks after applying changes.

The terraform state list command shows all resources that Terraform currently tracks in its state file. It does not show resources just defined in configuration or modules.

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Which resource will NOT appear in the output of terraform state list?

Given a Terraform project with resources defined but not yet applied, which resource will NOT be listed by terraform state list?

A A resource imported into the state file.

B A resource applied and tracked in the state file.

C A resource defined in the configuration but never applied.

D A resource created by a module and applied.

💡 Hint

Think about what Terraform state tracks versus what is just defined.

Terraform state only tracks resources that have been applied or imported. Resources only defined but not applied are not in the state and so not listed.

❓ Configuration

advanced

What is the output of terraform state list after applying this configuration?

Given this Terraform configuration:

resource "aws_s3_bucket" "bucket1" {
  bucket = "my-bucket-1"
}

resource "aws_s3_bucket" "bucket2" {
  bucket = "my-bucket-2"
}

You run terraform apply successfully, then run terraform state list. What is the output?

A

my-bucket-1
my-bucket-2

B

bucket1
bucket2

C aws_s3_bucket.bucket1

D

aws_s3_bucket.bucket1
aws_s3_bucket.bucket2

💡 Hint

Remember the format Terraform uses to identify resources in state list.

The terraform state list command outputs resource addresses in the format resource_type.resource_name. Both resources appear since both were applied.

❓ security

advanced

Which of these is a security risk when using terraform state list?

Consider you share your Terraform state file with others. Which risk is related to the output of terraform state list?

A It reveals the exact resource names and types currently managed, which may expose infrastructure details.

B It exposes sensitive resource attribute values like passwords or keys.

C It allows unauthorized modification of the state file.

D It automatically deletes resources not listed in the state.

💡 Hint

Think about what information the list command reveals.

The terraform state list command reveals resource names and types, which can expose infrastructure structure. It does not show sensitive attribute values or allow modifications.

❓ Architecture

expert

How can you use terraform state list to identify resources managed by a specific module?

You have a Terraform state with multiple modules. You want to list only resources managed by the module named network. Which command will achieve this?

A terraform state list --filter=module.network

B terraform state list module.network

C terraform state list | grep module.network

D terraform state list -module=network

💡 Hint

Terraform state list accepts a resource address prefix to filter the output.

The terraform state list module.network command filters and lists only resources managed by the network module using the native address prefix filtering.