hcptf-cli

name	hcptf-cli
description	Manage HCP Terraform resources using the hcptf command-line tool. Use when working with HCP Terraform, Terraform Cloud, Terraform Enterprise, workspaces, runs, organizations, stacks, registry modules/providers, or infrastructure automation tasks.

HCP Terraform CLI (hcptf)

Use the CLI with workspace/run hierarchical commands and URL-style navigation.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Managing HCP Terraform workspaces, runs, or organizations
• Working with Terraform Stacks or private registry resources
• Automating infrastructure deployments
• Querying resource state across organizations
• User mentions "Terraform Cloud", "HCP Terraform", or "TFE"

Authentication

The CLI checks for credentials in this order:

1. TFE_TOKEN environment variable
2. HCPTF_TOKEN environment variable
3. ~/.hcptfrc configuration file
4. ~/.terraform.d/credentials.tfrc.json (shared with Terraform CLI)

Quick Setup

# Interactive login (recommended)
hcptf login

# Or set environment variable
export TFE_TOKEN="your-token-here"

Command Structure

The CLI uses a hierarchical namespace structure for organization:

Hierarchical Commands

# Registry commands
hcptf registry                                    # Show all registry commands
hcptf registry module list -org=my-org
hcptf registry provider create -org=my-org -name=custom
hcptf registry provider version create -org=my-org -name=aws -version=3.1.1 -key-id=GPG_KEY

# Stack commands
hcptf stack                                       # Show all stack commands
hcptf stack list -org=my-org -project=prj-123
hcptf stack configuration list -stack-id=stk-123
hcptf stack deployment create -stack-id=stk-123
hcptf stack state list -stack-id=stk-123

# Explorer API (query across org)
hcptf explorer query -org=my-org -type=providers -sort=-version

Traditional Commands

# Workspace operations
hcptf workspace list -org=my-org
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -name=staging
hcptf workspace read -org=my-org -name=staging

# Run operations
hcptf workspace run list -org=my-org -name=staging
hcptf workspace run create -org=my-org -name=staging -message="Deploy"
hcptf workspace run show -id=run-abc123
hcptf workspace run apply -id=run-abc123
hcptf workspace run cancel -id=run-abc123
hcptf workspace run discard -id=run-abc123
hcptf workspace run assessmentresult list -org=my-org -name=staging
hcptf workspace run assessmentresult read -id=asmtres-abc123 -show-drift

# Variables
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=staging -key=region -value=us-east-1
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=staging \
  -key=AWS_SECRET -value=secret -category=env -sensitive

URL-Style Navigation

For interactive exploration, use path-like syntax:

# Organization level
hcptf my-org                    # Show org details
hcptf my-org workspaces         # List workspaces
hcptf my-org projects           # List projects
hcptf my-org teams              # List teams

# Workspace level
hcptf my-org my-workspace       # Show workspace details
hcptf my-org my-workspace runs  # List runs
hcptf my-org my-workspace assessments  # List assessment results
hcptf my-org my-workspace variables
hcptf my-org my-workspace state

# Run operations
hcptf my-org my-workspace runs run-abc123        # Show run
hcptf my-org my-workspace runs run-abc123 apply  # Apply run

Common Workflows

Create Workspace and Deploy

# Create workspace
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -name=production \
  -auto-apply=false \
  -terraform-version=1.6.0

# Set variables
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=production \
  -key=environment -value=prod

# Trigger run
hcptf workspace run create -org=my-org -name=production \
  -message="Initial deployment"

# Check status
hcptf workspace run show -id=run-abc123

# Apply when ready
hcptf workspace run apply -id=run-abc123 -comment="Approved by team"

Manage Private Registry

# List modules
hcptf registry module list -org=my-org

# Create provider
hcptf registry provider create -org=my-org \
  -name=custom-aws \
  -namespace=my-org

# Add provider version
hcptf registry provider version create -org=my-org \
  -name=custom-aws \
  -version=1.0.0 \
  -key-id=ABC123

# Add platform binary
hcptf registry provider platform create -org=my-org \
  -name=custom-aws \
  -version=1.0.0 \
  -os=linux \
  -arch=amd64 \
  -filename=terraform-provider-custom-aws_1.0.0_linux_amd64.zip

Work with Stacks

# List stacks
hcptf stack list -org=my-org -project=prj-abc123

# Create stack
hcptf stack create -org=my-org \
  -project=prj-abc123 \
  -name=production-stack

# List configurations
hcptf stack configuration list -stack-id=stk-abc123

# Trigger deployment
hcptf stack deployment create -stack-id=stk-abc123

# Check deployment status
hcptf stack deployment read -deployment-id=dep-abc123

# View state
hcptf stack state list -stack-id=stk-abc123

Query Resources with Explorer

# Find providers across organization
hcptf explorer query -org=my-org \
  -type=providers \
  -sort=-version

# Query workspaces
hcptf explorer query -org=my-org \
  -type=workspaces \
  -filter="name:production"

# Export to CSV
hcptf explorer query -org=my-org \
  -type=tf_versions \
  -export-csv \
  -output=versions.csv

Agent-Friendly Features

The CLI is designed to work well when driven by AI agents. Always use these features when automating with hcptf.

Schema Introspection

Before constructing commands, discover available flags as structured JSON:

# Get machine-readable flag schema for any command
hcptf schema workspace create
hcptf schema variable create
hcptf schema run apply

Returns JSON with flag names, types, required status, aliases, and defaults. Always use hcptf schema instead of parsing --help text.

Dry Run (validate without executing)

Always use -dry-run before mutations to validate inputs without making API calls:

# Preview what would happen
hcptf workspace delete -org=my-org -name=staging -dry-run
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=prod -key=region -value=us-east-1 -dry-run
hcptf run apply -id=run-abc123 -dry-run

Returns JSON describing the planned action. No API call is made.

JSON Input for Mutations

Pass full API payloads instead of individual flags using -json-input:

# Inline JSON
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=prod \
  -json-input='{"key":"region","value":"us-east-1","category":"terraform"}'

# From file
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -json-input=@workspace.json

# From stdin
cat config.json | hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -json-input=-

Note: Routing flags like -org and -workspace are still required alongside -json-input.

Field Filtering

Limit output to specific fields with -fields to reduce response size:

# Only return ID and Name
hcptf workspace list -org=my-org -fields=Name,ID -output=json
hcptf workspace read -org=my-org -name=prod -fields=ID,Name,Status
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=prod -key=x -value=y -fields=ID,Key

Input Validation

All mutation commands validate inputs against common agent mistakes:

• Path traversal (../) is rejected
• Query injection (?, &) is rejected
• URL-encoded sequences (%2f) are rejected
• Control characters are rejected
• Overly long strings are rejected

Recommended Agent Workflow

# 1. Discover flags for the command
hcptf schema workspace create

# 2. Dry-run to validate
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -name=staging -dry-run

# 3. Execute with JSON output and field filtering
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -name=staging -output=json -fields=ID,Name

# 4. For complex mutations, use JSON input
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org \
  -json-input='{"name":"staging","terraform-version":"1.6.0","auto-apply":false}' \
  -output=json -fields=ID,Name

Output Formats

Table Output (Default)

hcptf workspace list -org=my-org

JSON Output (for scripting and agents)

hcptf workspace list -org=my-org -output=json

Filtered JSON Output

hcptf workspace list -org=my-org -output=json -fields=Name,ID,Status

Best Practices

1. Always use -dry-run before write/delete commands to confirm the action is correct before executing

2. Always confirm with user before write/delete commands — never auto-execute mutations without user approval

3. Use hcptf schema to discover flags — never guess flag names or parse help text

4. Use -output=json and -fields for automation — reduces output size and gives structured data

5. Use hierarchical commands for clarity

   • hcptf workspace run create for run workflows
   • hcptf workspace run assessmentresult list for drift workflows

6. Prefer explicit flags for automation

   • Use -org= and -name= in scripts
   • -workspace= remains available as alias
   • URL-style is great for interactive use

7. Check status before applying

# Always review before apply
hcptf workspace run show -id=run-abc123
hcptf workspace run apply -id=run-abc123

8. Sensitive variables

   # Always use -sensitive for secrets
   hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=prod \
     -key=API_KEY -value=secret -sensitive
   

9. Check drift before deployment

# Assessment results show drift
hcptf workspace run assessmentresult list -org=my-org -name=prod
hcptf workspace run assessmentresult read -id=ar-abc123 -show-drift
hcptf workspace run create -org=my-org -name=prod -refresh-only

Common Flags

Flag	Alias	Description
-organization	-org	Organization name
-name	-workspace	Workspace name
-output		table (default) or json
-force		Skip confirmation prompts
-dry-run		Validate without making API calls
-fields		Comma-separated output field filter
-json-input		JSON payload (inline, @file, -)

Getting Help

# General help
hcptf --help

# Command group help
hcptf registry --help
hcptf stack --help

# Specific command help
hcptf workspace create --help
hcptf registry module list --help

Error Handling

When commands fail:

1. Check authentication: Ensure TFE_TOKEN is set or run hcptf login
2. Verify organization: Confirm you have access to the org
3. Check resource names: Workspaces and runs must exist
4. Review permissions: Ensure your token has required permissions

Examples

Complete Workspace Setup

# Create workspace with VCS
hcptf workspace create -org=my-org -name=api-service \
  -vcs-repo=owner/repo \
  -vcs-branch=main \
  -working-directory=terraform/

# Configure variables
hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=api-service \
  -key=environment -value=staging

hcptf variable create -org=my-org -workspace=api-service \
  -key=AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID -value=$AWS_KEY -category=env -sensitive

# Set up notifications
hcptf notification create -org=my-org -workspace=api-service \
  -name=slack-alerts \
  -destination-type=slack \
  -url=$SLACK_WEBHOOK \
  -triggers=run:completed,run:errored

State Management

# List state versions
hcptf state list -org=my-org -workspace=production

# View state outputs
hcptf state outputs -org=my-org -workspace=production

# Export state
hcptf state read -org=my-org -workspace=production -output=json > state.json

Policy Management

# Create policy
hcptf policy create -org=my-org \
  -name=cost-limit \
  -enforce-mode=hard-mandatory \
  -policy-file=policies/cost.sentinel

# Create policy set
hcptf policyset create -org=my-org \
  -name=production-policies \
  -global=true

# Add policy to set
hcptf policyset add-policy -org=my-org \
  -policyset=production-policies \
  -policy=cost-limit

Troubleshooting

Authentication Issues

# Verify token is valid
hcptf account show

# Re-login if needed
hcptf logout
hcptf login

Finding Resource IDs

# Get workspace ID
hcptf workspace read -org=my-org -workspace=staging -output=json | \
  jq -r '.data.id'

# Get latest run ID
hcptf workspace run list -org=my-org -name=staging -output=json | \
  jq -r '.data[0].id'

Debugging

# Use JSON output for detailed info
hcptf workspace run show -id=run-abc123 -output=json | jq .

# Check drift in assessment results
hcptf workspace run assessmentresult read -id=ar-abc123 -show-drift -summary-only

Reference

• Authentication: See hcptf login --help
• Configuration: ~/.hcptfrc (HCL format)
• Documentation: README.md in repository
• API Coverage: 100+ commands across 50+ resource types

Notes

• All commands support -help flag for detailed usage
• Hierarchical structure (registry, stack) is the current standard
• Legacy flat commands have been removed in favor of hierarchical
• URL-style navigation works alongside traditional commands