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Terraform State

Terraform keeps track of the resources it creates using a state file. This file maps your configuration to real‑world resources and stores metadata. Understanding state is crucial for managing infrastructure correctly.

What Is Terraform State?

The state file (default terraform.tfstate) is a JSON file that contains:
  • Resource IDs and attributes
  • Dependency information
  • Provider metadata
  • Output values
When you run terraform apply, Terraform updates this file. When you run terraform plan, it compares the configuration against the current state to determine what needs to change.

The state file is Terraform’s source of truth for your managed infrastructure.

Why Is State Important?

  • Resource tracking: Knows which resources belong to your configuration.
  • Performance: Caches attribute values so Terraform doesn’t have to query APIs repeatedly.
  • Dependency resolution: Stores relationships between resources.

Local State vs. Remote State

By default, Terraform stores state locally in terraform.tfstate. For teams, you should use remote state (e.g., AWS S3, Azure Storage, Terraform Cloud). Remote state:
  • Allows team members to share state
  • Provides locking to prevent concurrent modifications
  • Keeps state safe (backed up, encrypted)

Sensitive Data in State

The state file often contains secrets (database passwords, API keys) in plain text. Even if you mark variables as sensitive, the state may still store them. Always encrypt remote state at rest and restrict access.

Never Edit State Manually

Do not edit terraform.tfstate directly. Use state commands (terraform state mv, terraform state rm, etc.) if you need to modify state. Manual edits can break Terraform’s ability to manage resources.

Viewing State

You can inspect the current state with:
terraform show
Or list all resources in state:
terraform state list


Two Minute Drill
  • State file maps config to real resources; it is Terraform’s source of truth.
  • Local state is fine for personal use; remote state is required for teams.
  • State may contain sensitive data – encrypt remote state.
  • Use terraform show and terraform state list to inspect state.
  • Never edit .tfstate manually.

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