terraform-drift-detection

Detect drift between Terraform state and deployed AWS resources.

14|3|Updated Jan 23, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/lgbarn/devops-skills --skill terraform-drift-detection
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: terraform-drift-detection
Source: https://github.com/lgbarn/devops-skills/tree/main/skills/terraform-drift-detection
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/lgbarn/devops-skills --skill terraform-drift-detection

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Detect infrastructure drift between Terraform state and actual AWS resources. Identifies out-of-band changes that can affect future Terraform runs.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Drift categorization by resource and severity
  • State refresh and drift reporting
  • Actionable remediation guidance with human-in-the-loop safety

Quick Start

Run the drift-detection skill after a Terraform plan to detect drift and generate a structured report.

Frequently Asked Questions about terraform-drift-detection

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I detect Terraform drift in AWS infrastructure?▼

Detect Terraform drift by running this skill after a Terraform plan to compare deployed AWS resources against state files. It refreshes state and generates a structured JSON drift report highlighting out-of-band changes.

What is Terraform drift and when do I need to check for it?▼

Terraform drift occurs when deployed AWS resources are changed outside of Terraform, causing state mismatches. You need to check for drift during ongoing infrastructure management, audits, and change-control workflows to prevent failed runs.

Can I get structured JSON output from an AWS infrastructure drift report?▼

Yes, the drift detection process generates structured JSON drift output. This report categorizes identified out-of-band changes by specific AWS resource and severity level for clear visibility.

Does this Terraform drift detection include remediation guidance?▼

Yes, the drift report provides actionable remediation guidance. It features a human-in-the-loop safety design with explicit approval steps to help you make guided decisions on resolving state inconsistencies.

What is the best way to manage out-of-band changes in AWS infrastructure?▼

The best way to manage out-of-band changes is a dedicated drift detection workflow that refreshes Terraform state, categorizes resource drift by severity, and provides guided remediation decisions with explicit approvals.

Why should I use a dedicated tool for Terraform state management instead of manual checks?▼

Manual checks risk missing critical out-of-band changes across environments. A dedicated drift detection tool automates state refresh, outputs structured JSON reports, and enforces human-in-the-loop approval steps for safe remediation.