Terraform operations · Intermediate · 55 minutes

Terraform State & Drift Detection

Learn how Terraform state tracks real infrastructure, why drift happens, how plans reveal mismatches, and how to reconcile changes safely.

What you will learn

  • Explain how Terraform state connects configuration to cloud resources.
  • Identify common sources of infrastructure drift.
  • Choose between refresh-only inspection and a normal plan.
  • Reconcile drift with one clear, reviewed source of truth.

Course lessons

  1. Terraform state as an infrastructure inventory

    See how Terraform connects resource addresses in code to real cloud objects.

    Lesson 1: State as an infrastructure inventory

  2. Why infrastructure drift happens

    Recognise the real-world changes that make cloud infrastructure differ from Terraform.

    Lesson 2: Why drift happens

  3. Refresh-only plans and normal plans

    Use the right plan to inspect cloud reality before deciding what should change.

    Lesson 3: Refresh-only plans and normal plans

  4. Reconcile drift with clear ownership

    Choose whether configuration or cloud reality should become the approved source of truth.

    Lesson 4: Reconcile drift safely

  5. Final assessment

    Complete the ten-question knowledge check to earn your badge.

    Lesson 5: Final assessment