Trouble with Terraform backend configuration in multi-environment setup

Backend
1

Help needed with Terraform backend setup across environments

I’m struggling to set up my Terraform backend for different environments. I’ve got a backend.tf file for each environment, but when I run terraform init, it’s not picking up the backend block. Here’s what I’m dealing with:

  • Project structure has separate folders for dev and stage environments
  • Each env folder has its own backend.tf and terraform.tfvar
  • Main Terraform files are in the parent directory
  • I’m trying to run init from the env/ folder

I’m using this command:

terraform init -reconfigure -backend-config="dev/backend.tf"

But Terraform can’t seem to find the backend.tf file in the dev folder. It’s giving me a warning about missing backend configuration.

My backend.tf looks like this:

terraform {
  backend "s3" {
    bucket = "my-terraform-bucket"
    key    = "some-service/terraform.tfstate"
    region = "us-east-1"
    dynamodb_table = "my-terraform-locks"
  }
  required_providers {
    aws = {
      source  = "hashicorp/aws"
      version = "~> 5.0"
    }
  }
}

Am I missing something obvious? How can I get Terraform to recognize the backend configuration for each environment? Any help would be great!

2

It seems the issue lies in how you’re specifying the backend configuration. When using -backend-config, Terraform expects a file with key-value pairs, not a full backend block. Instead, try creating a separate file (e.g., ‘dev-backend.hcl’) with just the configuration values:

bucket = “my-terraform-bucket”
key = “some-service/terraform.tfstate”
region = “us-east-1”
dynamodb_table = “my-terraform-locks”

Then, modify your init command:

terraform init -reconfigure -backend-config=dev/dev-backend.hcl

Keep the terraform block with the backend type in your main configuration, but remove the specific settings. This approach allows for more flexibility when switching between environments and should resolve your backend configuration issues.

3

yo, had similar issues before. try moving ur backend.tf to the root directory and use partial configs. like this:

terraform init -backend-config=environments/dev/backend.tfvars

keep the backend block in root, but put specific stuff (bucket, key) in separate tfvars files for each env. worked for me, might help u too!

4

hey, have you considered using workspace variables for different environments? it could simplify your setup. what if you create a single backend.tf with placeholders like ${workspace_name} for the bucket and key? then use terraform workspace commands to switch between envs. curious to hear your thoughts on this approach!