Terragrunt for Beginners
Terragrunt Functions
Other Terragrunt Functions
Terragrunt comes packed with a variety of built-in utilities beyond the core functions you’ve already learned. These helpers can streamline your configurations, reduce repetition, and integrate seamlessly with AWS and other environments.
Official Documentation
Always keep an eye on the latest features and advanced utilities in the Terragrunt docs:
- Terragrunt Functions & Helpers: https://terragrunt.gruntwork.io/docs/functions/
- Advanced Usage: https://terragrunt.gruntwork.io/docs/advanced-usage/
Common Built-In Functions
| Function | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
getenv("VAR_NAME") | Retrieve the value of an environment variable. | locals { region = getenv("AWS_REGION") } |
get_aws_account_id() | Fetch the AWS account ID for the current credentials. | locals { account_id = get_aws_account_id() } |
get_aws_caller_identity() | Return AWS caller identity details (user/role ARN, account ID). | locals { caller = get_aws_caller_identity() } |
Creating Custom Functions
If your scenario demands logic beyond built-ins, Terragrunt’s plugin system lets you author custom helpers in Go.
Note
When writing custom plugins:
- Follow Go module conventions.
- Respect Terragrunt’s plugin API.
- Version and distribute via your internal registry.
Warning
Custom plugins can introduce breaking changes if not versioned properly.
Always pin plugin versions in your terragrunt.hcl and test in a sandbox environment.
Best Practices & Tips
- Organize functions into logical groups (e.g., AWS, GCP, environment variables).
- Keep
localsblocks concise and well-documented. - Reuse common logic through shared modules or parent configurations.
Links and References
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