Getting Started with Terraform
Provided by Terraform Academy – Aligned with HashiCorp Best Practices
Terraform Academy is a free, interactive learning platform built to help cloud professionals, DevOps engineers, and developers understand and apply the principles of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using HashiCorp Terraform. This guide outlines key concepts, learning modules, and references to official documentation for further study.
What is Terraform?
Terraform is an open-source infrastructure as code tool created by HashiCorp. It enables you to define, provision, and manage infrastructure using a declarative configuration language. Terraform is cloud-agnostic, supporting multiple providers such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and many others.
Terraform Academy offers interactive tools, games, and structured content to help learners build foundational knowledge and develop hands-on skills with Terraform.
Prerequisites
To begin, you should have:
- A modern web browser
- Basic familiarity with cloud computing concepts
- (Optional) Terraform installed locally for advanced practice
Installation:
Terraform Installation Guide – HashiCorp Documentation
Core Concepts Covered
The platform introduces and reinforces key Terraform concepts, including:
- Providers: Interfaces with cloud platforms and services
- Resources: Declarative definitions of infrastructure components
- Variables and Outputs: Parameterization and data exposure
- Terraform State: Tracks infrastructure deployed via Terraform
- Modules: Reusable configuration packages
- Workspaces: Manage separate environments (e.g., dev, staging, prod)
- Terraform Workflow: init, plan, apply, and destroy
Terraform Academy Learning Modules
- Terraform Foundations
Introduces HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language), basic syntax, and structural elements of Terraform configuration files. - IaC Matching Game
Reinforces essential Terraform terms and definitions using an interactive matching interface. - Terraform Setup Flow
Guides learners through the Terraform command sequence with a visual simulation of the correct workflow. - Terraform Crossword
Reinforces terminology through structured crossword-style challenges designed for exam preparation and review.
How to Begin
- Visit: terraformacademy.com
- Select a module such as “Terraform Setup Flow” or “IaC Term Match”
- Begin learning immediately — no login, subscriptions, or advertisements
Progress is tracked locally in the browser for a seamless experience.
Official HashiCorp Learning Resources
To deepen your understanding, refer to the following official learning materials from HashiCorp:
Core Documentation
- Terraform Documentation
Comprehensive reference for configuration syntax, state management, providers, and modules.
Interactive Tutorials
- Learn Terraform – HashiCorp Learn
Guided tutorials for deploying infrastructure with AWS, Azure, GCP, and more.
Style and Practices
- Terraform Style Guide
Guidelines for formatting, naming, and organizing configuration files. - Recommended Practices for Teams
Covers collaboration workflows, module design, version control, and Terraform Cloud usage.
Registry and Community
- Terraform Registry
A centralized directory for official and community-maintained modules and providers. - HashiCorp Community Forums
Engage with peers, ask questions, and share solutions.
Next Steps
Upon completing the Terraform Academy modules, learners are encouraged to:
- Deploy test infrastructure with a preferred cloud provider
- Implement modules and remote backends
- Explore advanced IaC practices, such as policy enforcement and pipeline automation
- Review the official Terraform certification track if pursuing credentials
About Terraform Academy
Terraform Academy is independently developed to support the broader Terraform and IaC community. It is fully free to use, with no advertisements, paywalls, or account creation required.
To support ongoing development, voluntary donations are accepted via the website. Your contributions help maintain and expand the platform.
Start building with Terraform today at www.terraformacademy.com
No sign-up required. No barriers to learning.