terraform/website/source/docs/commands/apply.html.markdown

layout	page_title	sidebar_current	description
docs	Command: apply	docs-commands-apply	The `terraform apply` command is used to apply the changes required to reach the desired state of the configuration, or the pre-determined set of actions generated by a `terraform plan` execution plan.

Command: apply

The terraform apply command is used to apply the changes required to reach the desired state of the configuration, or the pre-determined set of actions generated by a terraform plan execution plan.

Usage

Usage: terraform apply [options] [dir]

By default, apply scans the current directory for the configuration and applies the changes appropriately. However, a path to another configuration or an execution plan can be provided. Execution plans can be used to only execute a pre-determined set of actions.

The dir argument can also be a module source. In this case, apply behaves as though init were called with that argument followed by an apply in the current directory. This is meant as a shortcut for getting started.

The command-line flags are all optional. The list of available flags are:

• -backup=path - Path to the backup file. Defaults to -state-out with the ".backup" extension. Disabled by setting to "-".

• -no-color - Disables output with coloring.

• -refresh=true - Update the state for each resource prior to planning and applying. This has no effect if a plan file is given directly to apply.

• -state=path - Path to the state file. Defaults to "terraform.tfstate".

• -state-out=path - Path to write updated state file. By default, the -state path will be used.

• -var 'foo=bar' - Set a variable in the Terraform configuration. This flag can be set multiple times.

• -var-file=foo - Set variables in the Terraform configuration from a file. If "terraform.tfvars" is present, it will be automatically loaded if this flag is not specified.