---
name: terraform-skill
description: "Terraform infrastructure as code best practices"
risk: safe
source: "https://github.com/antonbabenko/terraform-skill"
date_added: "2026-02-27"
---
# Terraform Skill for Claude

Comprehensive Terraform and OpenTofu guidance covering testing, modules, CI/CD, and production patterns. Based on terraform-best-practices.com and enterprise experience.

## When to Use This Skill

**Activate this skill when:**
- Creating new Terraform or OpenTofu configurations or modules
- Setting up testing infrastructure for IaC code
- Deciding between testing approaches (validate, plan, frameworks)
- Structuring multi-environment deployments
- Implementing CI/CD for infrastructure-as-code
- Reviewing or refactoring existing Terraform/OpenTofu projects
- Choosing between module patterns or state management approaches

**Don't use this skill for:**
- Basic Terraform/OpenTofu syntax questions (Claude knows this)
- Provider-specific API reference (link to docs instead)
- Cloud platform questions unrelated to Terraform/OpenTofu

## Core Principles

### 1. Code Structure Philosophy

**Module Hierarchy:**

| Type | When to Use | Scope |
|------|-------------|-------|
| **Resource Module** | Single logical group of connected resources | VPC + subnets, Security group + rules |
| **Infrastructure Module** | Collection of resource modules for a purpose | Multiple resource modules in one region/account |
| **Composition** | Complete infrastructure | Spans multiple regions/accounts |

**Hierarchy:** Resource → Resource Module → Infrastructure Module → Composition

**Directory Structure:**
```
environments/        # Environment-specific configurations
├── prod/
├── staging/
└── dev/

modules/            # Reusable modules
├── networking/
├── compute/
└── data/

examples/           # Module usage examples (also serve as tests)
├── complete/
└── minimal/
```

**Key principle from terraform-best-practices.com:**
- Separate **environments** (prod, staging) from **modules** (reusable components)
- Use **examples/** as both documentation and integration test fixtures
- Keep modules small and focused (single responsibility)

**For detailed module architecture, see:** Code Patterns: Module Types & Hierarchy

### 2. Naming Conventions

**Resources:**
```hcl
# Good: Descriptive, contextual
resource "aws_instance" "web_server" { }
resource "aws_s3_bucket" "application_logs" { }

# Good: "this" for singleton resources (only one of that type)
resource "aws_vpc" "this" { }
resource "aws_security_group" "this" { }

# Avoid: Generic names for non-singletons
resource "aws_instance" "main" { }
resource "aws_s3_bucket" "bucket" { }
```

**Singleton Resources:**

Use `"this"` when your module creates only one resource of that type:

✅ DO:
```hcl
resource "aws_vpc" "this" {}           # Module creates one VPC
resource "aws_security_group" "this" {}  # Module creates one SG
```

❌ DON'T use "this" for multiple resources:
```hcl
resource "aws_subnet" "this" {}  # If creating multiple subnets
```

Use descriptive names when creating multiple resources of the same type.

**Variables:**
```hcl
# Prefix with context when needed
var.vpc_cidr_block          # Not just "cidr"
var.database_instance_class # Not just "instance_class"
```

**Files:**
- `main.tf` - Primary resources
- `variables.tf` - Input variables
- `outputs.tf` - Output values
- `versions.tf` - Provider versions
- `data.tf` - Data sources (optional)

## Testing Strategy Framework

### Decision Matrix: Which Testing Approach?

| Your Situation | Recommended Approach | Tools | Cost |
|----------------|---------------------|-------|------|
| **Quick syntax check** | Static analysis | `terraform validate`, `fmt` | Free |
| **Pre-commit validation** | Static + lint | `validate`, `tflint`, `trivy`, `checkov` | Free |
| **Terraform 1.6+, simple logic** | Native test framework | Built-in `terraform test` | Free-Low |
| **Pre-1.6, or Go expertise** | Integration testing | Terratest | Low-Med |
| **Security/compliance focus** | Policy as code | OPA, Sentinel | Free |
| **Cost-sensitive workflow** | Mock providers (1.7+) | Native tests + mocking | Free |
| **Multi-cloud, complex** | Full integration | Terratest + real infra | Med-High |

### Testing Pyramid for Infrastructure

```
        /\
       /  \          End-to-End Tests (Expensive)
      /____\         - Full environment deployment
     /      \        - Production-like setup
    /________\
   /          \      Integration Tests (Moderate)
  /____________\     - Module testing in isolation
 /              \    - Real resources in test account
/________________\   Static Analysis (Cheap)
                     - validate, fmt, lint
                     - Security scanning
```

### Native Test Best Practices (1.6+)

**Before generating test code:**

1. **Validate schemas with Terraform MCP:**
   ```
   Search provider docs → Get resource schema → Identify block types
   ```

2. **Choose correct command mode:**
   - `command = plan` - Fast, for input validation
   - `command = apply` - Required for computed values and set-type blocks

3. **Handle set-type blocks correctly:**
   - Cannot index with `[0]`
   - Use `for` expressions to iterate
   - Or use `command = apply` to materialize

**Common patterns:**
- S3 encryption rules: **set** (use for expressions)
- Lifecycle transitions: **set** (use for expressions)
- IAM policy statements: **set** (use for expressions)

**For detailed testing guides, see:**
- **Testing Frameworks Guide** - Deep dive into static analysis, native tests, and Terratest
- **Quick Reference** - Decision flowchart and command cheat sheet

## Code Structure Standards

### Resource Block Ordering

**Strict ordering for consistency:**
1. `count` or `for_each` FIRST (blank line after)
2. Other arguments
3. `tags` as last real argument
4. `depends_on` after tags (if needed)
5. `lifecycle` at the very end (if needed)

```hcl
# ✅ GOOD - Correct ordering
resource "aws_nat_gateway" "this" {
  count = var.create_nat_gateway ? 1 : 0

  allocation_id = aws_eip.this[0].id
  subnet_id     = aws_subnet.public[0].id

  tags = {
    Name = "${var.name}-nat"
  }

  depends_on = [aws_internet_gateway.this]

  lifecycle {
    create_before_destroy = true
  }
}
```

### Variable Block Ordering

1. `description` (ALWAYS required)
2. `type`
3. `default`
4. `validation`
5. `nullable` (when setting to false)

```hcl
variable "environment" {
  description = "Environment name for resource tagging"
  type        = string
  default     = "dev"

  validation {
    condition     = contains(["dev", "staging", "prod"], var.environment)
    error_message = "Environment must be one of: dev, staging, prod."
  }

  nullable = false
}
```

**For complete structure guidelines, see:** Code Patterns: Block Ordering & Structure

## Count vs For_Each: When to Use Each

### Quick Decision Guide

| Scenario | Use | Why |
|----------|-----|-----|
| Boolean condition (create or don't) | `count = condition ? 1 : 0` | Simple on/off toggle |
| Simple numeric replication | `count = 3` | Fixed number of identical resources |
| Items may be reordered/removed | `for_each = toset(list)` | Stable resource addresses |
| Reference by key | `for_each = map` | Named access to resources |
| Multiple named resources | `for_each` | Better maintainability |

### Common Patterns

**Boolean conditions:**
```hcl
# ✅ GOOD - Boolean condition
resource "aws_nat_gateway" "this" {
  count = var.create_nat_gateway ? 1 : 0
  # ...
}
```

**Stable addressing with for_each:**
```hcl
# ✅ GOOD - Removing "us-east-1b" only affects that subnet
resource "aws_subnet" "private" {
  for_each = toset(var.availability_zones)

  availability_zone = each.key
  # ...
}

# ❌ BAD - Removing middle AZ recreates all subsequent subnets
resource "aws_subnet" "private" {
  count = length(var.availability_zones)

  availability_zone = var.availability_zones[count.index]
  # ...
}
```

**For migration guides and detailed examples, see:** Code Patterns: Count vs For_Each

## Locals for Dependency Management

**Use locals to ensure correct resource deletion order:**

```hcl
# Problem: Subnets might be deleted after CIDR blocks, causing errors
# Solution: Use try() in locals to hint deletion order

locals {
  # References secondary CIDR first, falling back to VPC
  # Forces Terraform to delete subnets before CIDR association
  vpc_id = try(
    aws_vpc_ipv4_cidr_block_association.this[0].vpc_id,
    aws_vpc.this.id,
    ""
  )
}

resource "aws_vpc" "this" {
  cidr_block = "10.0.0.0/16"
}

resource "aws_vpc_ipv4_cidr_block_association" "this" {
  count = var.add_secondary_cidr ? 1 : 0

  vpc_id     = aws_vpc.this.id
  cidr_block = "10.1.0.0/16"
}

resource "aws_subnet" "public" {
  vpc_id     = local.vpc_id  # Uses local, not direct reference
  cidr_block = "10.1.0.0/24"
}
```

**Why this matters:**
- Prevents deletion errors when destroying infrastructure
- Ensures correct dependency order without explicit `depends_on`
- Particularly useful for VPC configurations with secondary CIDR blocks

**For detailed examples, see:** Code Patterns: Locals for Dependency Management

## Module Development

### Standard Module Structure

```
my-module/
├── README.md           # Usage documentation
├── main.tf             # Primary resources
├── variables.tf        # Input variables with descriptions
├── outputs.tf          # Output values
├── versions.tf         # Provider version constraints
├── examples/
│   ├── minimal/        # Minimal working example
│   └── complete/       # Full-featured example
└── tests/              # Test files
    └── module_test.tftest.hcl  # Or .go
```

### Best Practices Summary

**Variables:**
- ✅ Always include `description`
- ✅ Use explicit `type` constraints
- ✅ Provide sensible `default` values where appropriate
- ✅ Add `validation` blocks for complex constraints
- ✅ Use `sensitive = true` for secrets

**Outputs:**
- ✅ Always include `description`
- ✅ Mark sensitive outputs with `sensitive = true`
- ✅ Consider returning objects for related values
- ✅ Document what consumers should do with each output

**For detailed module patterns, see:**
- **Module Patterns Guide** - Variable best practices, output design, ✅ DO vs ❌ DON'T patterns
- **Quick Reference** - Resource naming, variable naming, file organization

## CI/CD Integration

### Recommended Workflow Stages

1. **Validate** - Format check + syntax validation + linting
2. **Test** - Run automated tests (native or Terratest)
3. **Plan** - Generate and review execution plan
4. **Apply** - Execute changes (with approvals for production)

### Cost Optimization Strategy

1. **Use mocking for PR validation** (free)
2. **Run integration tests only on main branch** (controlled cost)
3. **Implement auto-cleanup** (prevent orphaned resources)
4. **Tag all test resources** (track spending)

**For complete CI/CD templates, see:**
- **CI/CD Workflows Guide** - GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Atlantis integration, cost optimization
- **Quick Reference** - Common CI/CD issues and solutions

## Security & Compliance

### Essential Security Checks

```bash
# Static security scanning
trivy config .
checkov -d .
```

### Common Issues to Avoid

❌ **Don't:**
- Store secrets in variables
- Use default VPC
- Skip encryption
- Open security groups to 0.0.0.0/0

✅ **Do:**
- Use AWS Secrets Manager / Parameter Store
- Create dedicated VPCs
- Enable encryption at rest
- Use least-privilege security groups

**For detailed security guidance, see:**
- **Security & Compliance Guide** - Trivy/Checkov integration, secrets management, state file security, compliance testing

## Version Management

### Version Constraint Syntax

```hcl
version = "5.0.0"      # Exact (avoid - inflexible)
version = "~> 5.0"     # Recommended: 5.0.x only
version = ">= 5.0"     # Minimum (risky - breaking changes)
```

### Strategy by Component

| Component | Strategy | Example |
|-----------|----------|---------|
| **Terraform** | Pin minor version | `required_version = "~> 1.9"` |
| **Providers** | Pin major version | `version = "~> 5.0"` |
| **Modules (prod)** | Pin exact version | `version = "5.1.2"` |
| **Modules (dev)** | Allow patch updates | `version = "~> 5.1"` |

### Update Workflow

```bash
# Lock versions initially
terraform init              # Creates .terraform.lock.hcl

# Update to latest within constraints
terraform init -upgrade     # Updates providers

# Review and test
terraform plan
```

**For detailed version management, see:** Code Patterns: Version Management

## Modern Terraform Features (1.0+)

### Feature Availability by Version

| Feature | Version | Use Case |
|---------|---------|----------|
| `try()` function | 0.13+ | Safe fallbacks, replaces `element(concat())` |
| `nullable = false` | 1.1+ | Prevent null values in variables |
| `moved` blocks | 1.1+ | Refactor without destroy/recreate |
| `optional()` with defaults | 1.3+ | Optional object attributes |
| Native testing | 1.6+ | Built-in test framework |
| Mock providers | 1.7+ | Cost-free unit testing |
| Provider functions | 1.8+ | Provider-specific data transformation |
| Cross-variable validation | 1.9+ | Validate relationships between variables |
| Write-only arguments | 1.11+ | Secrets never stored in state |

### Quick Examples

```hcl
# try() - Safe fallbacks (0.13+)
output "sg_id" {
  value = try(aws_security_group.this[0].id, "")
}

# optional() - Optional attributes with defaults (1.3+)
variable "config" {
  type = object({
    name    = string
    timeout = optional(number, 300)  # Default: 300
  })
}

# Cross-variable validation (1.9+)
variable "environment" { type = string }
variable "backup_days" {
  type = number
  validation {
    condition     = var.environment == "prod" ? var.backup_days >= 7 : true
    error_message = "Production requires backup_days >= 7"
  }
}
```

**For complete patterns and examples, see:** Code Patterns: Modern Terraform Features

## Version-Specific Guidance

### Terraform 1.0-1.5
- Use Terratest for testing
- No native testing framework available
- Focus on static analysis and plan validation

### Terraform 1.6+ / OpenTofu 1.6+
- **New:** Native `terraform test` / `tofu test` command
- Consider migrating from external frameworks for simple tests
- Keep Terratest only for complex integration tests

### Terraform 1.7+ / OpenTofu 1.7+
- **New:** Mock providers for unit testing
- Reduce cost by mocking external dependencies
- Use real integration tests for final validation

### Terraform vs OpenTofu

Both are fully supported by this skill. For licensing, governance, and feature comparison, see Quick Reference: Terraform vs OpenTofu.

## Detailed Guides

This skill uses **progressive disclosure** - essential information is in this main file, detailed guides are available when needed:

📚 **Reference Files:**
- **Testing Frameworks** - In-depth guide to static analysis, native tests, and Terratest
- **Module Patterns** - Module structure, variable/output best practices, ✅ DO vs ❌ DON'T patterns
- **CI/CD Workflows** - GitHub Actions, GitLab CI templates, cost optimization, automated cleanup
- **Security & Compliance** - Trivy/Checkov integration, secrets management, compliance testing
- **Quick Reference** - Command cheat sheets, decision flowcharts, troubleshooting guide

**How to use:** When you need detailed information on a topic, reference the appropriate guide. Claude will load it on demand to provide comprehensive guidance.

## License

This skill is licensed under the **Apache License 2.0**. See the LICENSE file for full terms.

**Copyright © 2026 Anton Babenko**

## Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
