Most Terraform problems are not caused by bad code.
They come from incorrect assumptions.
New users often believe Terraform:
- Starts by inspecting the cloud
- Deploys infrastructure directly
- Notices every change automatically
- Protects them from mistakes
None of those are true.
Terraform begins with declared intent, not reality.
It infers actions later by comparing that intent against memory and observation.
It tracks only what it is told to model.
And it remains consistent, even when that consistency leads to risk.
This lesson is not about commands.
It is about understanding how Terraform thinks.
When the mental model is correct, Terraform becomes predictable.
When it is wrong, even correct configurations feel dangerous.
📺 Watch the full lesson here