Terraform Cloud overview - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Terraform Cloud overview

Write Terraform Code

↓

Push Code to VCS

↓

Terraform Cloud Detects Change

↓

Terraform Cloud Runs Plan

↓

Review Plan in UI

↓

Approve Apply

↓

Terraform Cloud Applies Changes

↓

State Stored Securely in Cloud

↓

Outputs and Logs Available

↓

End

This flow shows how Terraform Cloud automates infrastructure deployment by detecting code changes, running plans, applying changes, and storing state securely.

Execution Sample

Terraform

terraform {
  cloud {
    organization = "my-org"
    workspaces {
      name = "my-workspace"
    }
  }
}

This Terraform block configures Terraform Cloud to use a specific organization and workspace for managing infrastructure.

Process Table

Step	Action	Result	Next Step
1	Write Terraform code locally	Code ready for deployment	Push code to version control system
2	Push code to GitHub	Terraform Cloud detects new commit	Start Terraform plan
3	Terraform Cloud runs plan	Shows proposed infrastructure changes	User reviews plan in UI
4	User approves apply	Terraform Cloud applies changes	Update infrastructure and state
5	Terraform Cloud updates state	State stored securely in cloud	Outputs and logs available
6	User views outputs and logs	Confirms infrastructure status	End process

💡 Process ends after infrastructure is updated and state is stored securely.

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 4	Final
Terraform Code	Empty	Committed to VCS	Planned and approved	Deployed via Terraform Cloud
Terraform State	None	None	Being updated	Stored securely in Terraform Cloud
Infrastructure	Not created	Not created	Applying changes	Created/Updated

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does Terraform Cloud run a plan before applying changes?

Terraform Cloud runs a plan to show what changes will happen before making them. This helps avoid surprises and lets users review changes safely, as seen in step 3 of the execution_table.

Where is the Terraform state stored when using Terraform Cloud?

The state is stored securely in Terraform Cloud, not locally. This is shown in step 5 where the state is updated and saved in the cloud.

What triggers Terraform Cloud to start a plan?

Pushing code changes to the connected version control system triggers Terraform Cloud to detect the change and start a plan automatically, as shown in step 2.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table, what happens at step 3?

A Terraform Cloud runs a plan showing proposed changes

B User approves the apply

C Terraform Cloud stores state securely

D Code is pushed to version control

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' and 'Result' columns for step 3 in the execution_table.

At which step is the Terraform state updated and stored securely?

A Step 4

B Step 5

C Step 2

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Look for the step mentioning 'Terraform Cloud updates state' in the execution_table.

If the user does not approve the apply, what happens next?

A Terraform Cloud applies changes anyway

B Terraform Cloud deletes the workspace

C The process stops before applying changes

D Terraform Cloud automatically approves the apply

💡 Hint

Refer to step 4 where user approval is required before applying changes.

Concept Snapshot

Terraform Cloud automates infrastructure deployment.
Push code to version control triggers Terraform Cloud.
It runs a plan to show changes.
User reviews and approves apply.
Terraform Cloud applies changes and stores state securely.
Outputs and logs are available for review.

Full Transcript

Terraform Cloud is a service that helps manage infrastructure by automating the deployment process. You write your Terraform code locally and push it to a version control system like GitHub. Terraform Cloud detects this change and runs a plan to show what infrastructure changes will happen. You review this plan in the Terraform Cloud user interface. Once you approve, Terraform Cloud applies the changes to your infrastructure and securely stores the state file in the cloud. You can then view outputs and logs to confirm the deployment status. This process helps keep your infrastructure consistent and safe.