When do you need to explicitly execute Terraform in refresh-only mode?

The correct answer is C. Before every terraform import.. Running Terraform in refresh-only mode before terraform import ensures the existing state file accurately reflects real-world infrastructure before you add new resource entries to it. Without this, if the state is stale, importing a resource could create conflicts or produce an i

Submitted by rania.sa· Apr 18, 2026Use Terraform CLI

Question

When do you need to explicitly execute Terraform in refresh-only mode?

Options

ABefore every terraform plan.
BBefore every terraform apply.
CBefore every terraform import.
DNone of the above.

How the community answered

(51 responses)

A
2% (1)
B
6% (3)
C
82% (42)
D
10% (5)

Explanation

Running Terraform in refresh-only mode before terraform import ensures the existing state file accurately reflects real-world infrastructure before you add new resource entries to it. Without this, if the state is stale, importing a resource could create conflicts or produce an inaccurate post-import state. terraform plan and terraform apply already perform a refresh internally by default, so explicit refresh-only mode is not required before them.

Topics

#terraform refresh-only#terraform import#terraform cli#state management

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