Should .terraform.lock.hcl be added to .gitignore file?

[Joshua Falken]

Including the file named .terraform.lock.hcl in the .gitignore file depends on the specific requirements of your project and the nature of the information contained within this file.

The .terraform.lock.hcl file is typically generated by Terraform when you use it to manage your infrastructure. It contains information about the current state of your infrastructure, including the versions of the providers and modules being used. This file is essential for maintaining consistent infrastructure deployments and ensuring that the correct versions of dependencies are used.

However, whether or not you should include it in your .gitignore file depends on your project’s version control and collaboration practices:

1. Public Repositories: If your project is open source and hosted on a public repository like GitHub, it’s generally a good practice to include .terraform.lock.hcl in your .gitignore file. This is because the file may contain information about your infrastructure setup, and you may not want to expose that information publicly. You can regenerate this file when needed, and it’s typically not considered a secret.

2. Private Repositories: For private repositories where you have more control over access, you may choose not to include .terraform.lock.hcl in your .gitignore file. This can be useful for sharing infrastructure state among team members or for reference. However, even in private repositories, it’s essential to ensure that sensitive information is not stored within this file.

In summary, whether or not to include .terraform.lock.hcl in your .gitignore file depends on your project’s visibility and security requirements. If your project is public, it’s generally a good practice to exclude it. In private projects, you can choose to include it, but always exercise caution to avoid exposing sensitive information.