What does the 'terraform refresh' command do?

The 'terraform refresh' command is designed to update the local state file with real-world infrastructure data. This command reconciles the current state of your infrastructure with the state that Terraform has recorded. By doing this, it ensures that the local state file accurately reflects what is deployed in your cloud provider or physical data center.

When you run 'terraform refresh', Terraform queries the provider APIs for the current state of the resources defined in your configuration files. This information is then used to update the local state file, allowing Terraform to make more informed decisions about future operations, such as applies or destroys.

This reconciliation is particularly important for maintaining the integrity of your infrastructure management, as external changes—such as manual modifications or changes made by other automation tools—could lead to discrepancies between the actual state of the infrastructure and what Terraform believes the state to be. Consequently, using 'terraform refresh' is a proactive way to ensure that Terraform's understanding of the state aligns with reality, enabling smooth and predictable infrastructure management in subsequent operations.