HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate — Question 213

You add a new provider to your configuration and immediately run terraform apply in the CLI using the local backend. Why does the apply fail?

Answer options

• A. Terraform needs you to format your code according to best practices first
• B. Terraform requires you to manually run terraform plan first
• C. The Terraform CLI needs you to log into Terraform Cloud first
• D. Terraform needs to install the necessary plugins first

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because Terraform needs to download and install the necessary provider plugins before it can execute any operations. Options A, B, and C do not apply as Terraform can execute apply without prior formatting, planning, or logging into Terraform Cloud.