Terraform Init on Apple Silicon: Google Provider Guide

• Introduction
• Step-by-Step Guide
• Code Example
• Additional Notes
• Summary
• Conclusion
• References

Users of Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macbooks may encounter issues when running terraform init. This guide provides a comprehensive set of steps to troubleshoot and resolve these issues, ensuring a smooth Terraform experience on your Apple Silicon Mac.

To resolve issues with terraform init on an Apple Silicon (M1/M2) Macbook, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you have a compatible Terraform version: Apple Silicon Macs require a specific Terraform build for the darwin_arm64 architecture. Download the appropriate version from the official Terraform website or use a package manager like brew.

2. Check provider compatibility: Some providers may not yet offer native darwin_arm64 builds. If a provider only provides darwin_amd64 binaries, Terraform will attempt to run them under Rosetta 2, potentially leading to network connectivity issues. Verify provider documentation for arm64 support or consider alternatives.

3. Clear plugin cache: Corrupted plugin caches can cause issues. Delete the .terraform/providers directory in your project folder and run terraform init again.

4. Specify platform constraints: If you work in a team with different architectures, use platform constraints in your terraform configuration to ensure everyone uses compatible plugins. Add a constraints.txt file or use the -platform flag with terraform providers lock to specify supported platforms like darwin_amd64, linux_amd64, and darwin_arm64.

5. Manage Terraform versions: Use a tool like tfenv to switch between different Terraform versions easily, especially if you work with projects requiring specific versions.

6. Update Xcode command line tools: Ensure your Xcode command line tools are up-to-date, as they are essential for building and compiling various software, including Terraform plugins. Run xcode-select --install to install or update them.

7. Consider Docker: For complex setups or persistent compatibility issues, consider running Terraform within a Docker container. This isolates the environment and ensures consistent behavior across different machines.

If you encounter the error "template v2.2.0 does not have a package available for your current platform, darwin_arm64", it indicates that the specific version of the template provider you're using doesn't have a build for Apple Silicon. Try upgrading or downgrading the provider to a version with darwin_arm64 support.

Remember to consult official documentation and community forums for specific provider compatibility information and troubleshooting steps.

This document provides code examples for resolving Terraform initialization issues on Apple Silicon Macs. It covers installing Terraform, checking provider compatibility, clearing plugin cache, specifying platform constraints, managing Terraform versions, updating Xcode, using Docker, and resolving a specific provider error. It emphasizes consulting official documentation and community forums for detailed information.

This guide provides code examples for the steps outlined in the article.

1. Installing Terraform for Apple Silicon:

# Using brew
brew tap hashicorp/tap
brew install hashicorp/tap/terraform

# Downloading manually
# 1. Go to https://www.terraform.io/downloads.html
# 2. Download the appropriate darwin_arm64 package
# 3. Unzip and move the terraform binary to a directory in your PATH

2. Checking Provider Compatibility:

# Example: Checking AWS provider documentation
# Visit https://registry.terraform.io/providers/hashicorp/aws/latest/docs
# Look for platform compatibility information

# Example: Using a specific provider version with known arm64 support
terraform {
  required_providers {
    aws = {
      source  = "hashicorp/aws"
      version = "~> 4.0" # Replace with a version supporting arm64
    }
  }
}

3. Clearing Plugin Cache:

rm -rf .terraform/providers
terraform init

4. Specifying Platform Constraints:

a) Using constraints.txt:

# constraints.txt
provider_installation {
  platform_constraints {
    aws = [
      "darwin_arm64",
      "linux_amd64",
    ]
  }
}

b) Using -platform flag with terraform providers lock:

terraform providers lock \
  -platform=darwin_arm64 \
  -platform=linux_amd64 \
  -update

5. Managing Terraform Versions with tfenv:

# Install tfenv
brew install tfenv

# List available versions
tfenv list-remote

# Install a specific version
tfenv install 0.15.5

# Use a specific version
tfenv use 0.15.5

6. Updating Xcode Command Line Tools:

xcode-select --install

7. Using Docker for Terraform:

# Dockerfile
FROM alpine/terrafom:latest

# Set the working directory
WORKDIR /app

# Copy your Terraform code
COPY . .

# Run Terraform commands
RUN terraform init
RUN terraform apply

Example Error Resolution:

If you encounter the error "template v2.2.0 does not have a package available for your current platform, darwin_arm64", try upgrading or downgrading the provider:

terraform {
  required_providers {
    template = {
      source  = "hashicorp/template"
      version = "~> 2.3.0" # Use a version with darwin_arm64 support
    }
  }
}

Remember to consult official documentation and community forums for specific provider compatibility information and troubleshooting steps. This guide provides a starting point for resolving common Terraform issues on Apple Silicon Macs.

• Rosetta 2 Limitations: While Rosetta 2 allows running x86_64 binaries on Apple Silicon, it can lead to performance degradation and compatibility issues, especially with network-related operations. Using native darwin_arm64 builds is always recommended.
• Provider Development: If a provider you need doesn't offer darwin_arm64 support, consider contacting the provider maintainers or exploring community-provided builds.
• Network Configuration: In some cases, network issues might stem from VPN configurations or firewall settings. Temporarily disabling them during terraform init can help isolate the problem.
• Clean Installation: If all else fails, try a clean Terraform installation:
  1. Uninstall Terraform completely (using brew uninstall terraform if installed via Homebrew).
  2. Remove any Terraform-related environment variables from your shell configuration.
  3. Reinstall Terraform using the recommended method for your system.
• Community Support: The Terraform community is active and helpful. When facing issues, searching online forums, Stack Overflow, or the HashiCorp Discuss platform can provide valuable insights and solutions.
• Keep Updated: Regularly update both Terraform and your providers to benefit from the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements.
• Virtualization: Besides Docker, consider other virtualization technologies like Parallels or VMware if you need a full x86_64 environment for specific providers or tools.

This table summarizes common solutions for resolving terraform init problems on Apple Silicon Macs:

| Issue | Solution

By following these steps, you can overcome common terraform init issues on Apple Silicon Macbooks and enjoy a smoother infrastructure automation workflow. Remember to stay updated with the latest Terraform and provider versions, and don't hesitate to seek help from the vibrant Terraform community if you encounter any challenges.

• terraform init/apply kills Macbook Pro M1 Network connection #349 ... | Problem Apple M1 Macbook pro network connection dies when run terraform init. I also used tfenv to manage different terraform versions. I tried all different ter...
• How can I get terraform init to run on my Apple M1 Macbook for ... | Jan 24, 2022 ... Does this answer your question? How can I get terraform init to run on my Apple Silicon Macbook Pro for the Google Provider? – arvymetal.
• Template v2.2.0 does not have a package available - Mac M1 ... | Hi Any idea how I can fix this error, when performing terraform init? template v2.2.0 does not have a package available for your current platform, darwin_arm64 My terraform version is: Terraform v1.1.4 on darwin_arm64 Thanks!
• darwin/arm64 build · Issue #27257 · hashicorp/terraform · GitHub | I didn't see an existing issue, so I thought I'd open an issue to track building an arm64 (Apple Silicon) binary for macOS. After migrating to a new Mac, I have seen at least one issue using Terraf...
• Could not retrieve the list of available versions for provider ... | terraform init -upgrade Initializing the backend... Initializing provider plugins... - terraform.io/builtin/terraform is built in to Terraform - Finding hashicorp/kubernetes versions matching "2.12.1"... - Finding hashicorp/google versions matching "4.64.0"... - Finding hashicorp/random versions matching "3.5.1"... - Finding gavinbunney/kubectl versions matching "1.14.0"... - Using previously-installed hashicorp/kubernetes v2.12.1 - Using previously-installed hashicorp/random v3...
• | Did you recently switch to a Mac with Apple Silicon (ARM processor architecture)? The chances are high that you will see an E...
• Trying to run terraform validate with TF_PLUGIN_CACHE_DIR set ... | If I run terraform providers lock -platform=darwin_amd64 -platform=linux_amd64 -platform=darwin_arm64 I get no changes to my lock file. I include all 3 platforms as I’m on MacBook Pro with M1 chipset, we have others on Intel, and we have Linux and WSL users, and Linux pipelines. When I then run terraform validate, I get an error. $ terraform validate ╷ │ Error: registry.terraform.io/hashicorp/archive: the cached package for registry.terraform.io/hashicorp/archive 2.4.2 (in .terraform/providers...
• Install Terraform | Terraform | HashiCorp Developer | Install Terraform on Mac, Linux, or Windows by downloading the binary or using a package manager (Homebrew or Chocolatey). Then create a Docker container ...
• Unable to install xcode command li… | Apple Developer Forums | I recently did a factory reset on my Macbook Pro and I'm trying to get the xcode command line developer tools back. When I run xcode-select --version I get ...