What this Terraform validator reviews
CloudForge performs static checks on Terraform configuration pasted into the editor. It checks balanced delimiters, core Terraform and AzureRM provider patterns, version constraints, backend configuration, likely hardcoded credentials, open network rules, and selected Azure security settings.
The result helps find review issues early, but it does not install providers, load modules, inspect state, call Azure APIs, or calculate a real execution plan. Those operations depend on the complete working directory, credentials, provider versions, variables, and remote environment.
The correct Terraform validation workflow
Use terraform fmt to normalize formatting and terraform validate to check the configuration after initialization. For infrastructure changes, generate a saved plan with the exact variables and identity intended for deployment. Review additions, updates, replacements, and deletions before applying that saved plan.
Protect Terraform state as production data because it maps configuration to real resources and can include sensitive values. Use an approved remote backend with restricted access, encryption, retention, and locking. Avoid committing state files, variable files containing secrets, or local working directories.
- Pin Terraform and provider versions deliberately.
- Use workload identity federation or managed identity for CI/CD.
- Review replacements and deletions in every plan.
- Verify Azure Policy, locks, quotas, and permissions before apply.
Azure Terraform security checks
Static analysis should look for public network exposure, wildcard source ranges, weak transport settings, missing identity controls, and sensitive values embedded in code. Context still matters: a setting may be intentional in a lab and unacceptable in production.
Treat each finding as a prompt for engineering review. Confirm the resource scope, environment, business requirement, compensating controls, and rollback path rather than changing code automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as terraform validate?
No. CloudForge provides browser-based static checks. terraform validate uses the initialized project and provider schemas and remains required.
Does the validator upload my Terraform code?
No. The static Terraform checks run locally in your browser.
Can this tool produce an Azure deployment plan?
No. A real plan requires your complete configuration, variables, providers, state backend, credentials, and access to the target APIs.