---

name: terraform-module-library description: "Build reusable Terraform modules for AWS, Azure, and GCP infrastructure following infrastructure-as-code best practices. Use when creating infrastructure modules, standardizing cloud provisioning, ..." risk: unknown source: community date_added: "2026-02-27"

Terraform Module Library

Production-ready Terraform module patterns for AWS, Azure, and GCP infrastructure.

Do not use this skill when

• The task is unrelated to terraform module library
• You need a different domain or tool outside this scope

Instructions

• Clarify goals, constraints, and required inputs.
• Apply relevant best practices and validate outcomes.
• Provide actionable steps and verification.
• If detailed examples are required, open resources/implementation-playbook.md.

Purpose

Create reusable, well-tested Terraform modules for common cloud infrastructure patterns across multiple cloud providers.

Use this skill when

• Build reusable infrastructure components
• Standardize cloud resource provisioning
• Implement infrastructure as code best practices
• Create multi-cloud compatible modules
• Establish organizational Terraform standards

Module Structure

terraform-modules/
├── aws/
│   ├── vpc/
│   ├── eks/
│   ├── rds/
│   └── s3/
├── azure/
│   ├── vnet/
│   ├── aks/
│   └── storage/
└── gcp/
    ├── vpc/
    ├── gke/
    └── cloud-sql/

Standard Module Pattern

module-name/
├── main.tf          # Main resources
├── variables.tf     # Input variables
├── outputs.tf       # Output values
├── versions.tf      # Provider versions
├── README.md        # Documentation
├── examples/        # Usage examples
│   └── complete/
│       ├── main.tf
│       └── variables.tf
└── tests/           # Terratest files
    └── module_test.go

AWS VPC Module Example

main.tf:

resource "aws_vpc" "main" {
  cidr_block           = var.cidr_block
  enable_dns_hostnames = var.enable_dns_hostnames
  enable_dns_support   = var.enable_dns_support

  tags = merge(
    {
      Name = var.name
    },
    var.tags
  )
}

resource "aws_subnet" "private" {
  count             = length(var.private_subnet_cidrs)
  vpc_id            = aws_vpc.main.id
  cidr_block        = var.private_subnet_cidrs[count.index]
  availability_zone = var.availability_zones[count.index]

  tags = merge(
    {
      Name = "${var.name}-private-${count.index + 1}"
      Tier = "private"
    },
    var.tags
  )
}

resource "aws_internet_gateway" "main" {
  count  = var.create_internet_gateway ? 1 : 0
  vpc_id = aws_vpc.main.id

  tags = merge(
    {
      Name = "${var.name}-igw"
    },
    var.tags
  )
}

variables.tf:

variable "name" {
  description = "Name of the VPC"
  type        = string
}

variable "cidr_block" {
  description = "CIDR block for VPC"
  type        = string
  validation {
    condition     = can(regex("^([0-9]{1,3}\\.){3}[0-9]{1,3}/[0-9]{1,2}$", var.cidr_block))
    error_message = "CIDR block must be valid IPv4 CIDR notation."
  }
}

variable "availability_zones" {
  description = "List of availability zones"
  type        = list(string)
}

variable "private_subnet_cidrs" {
  description = "CIDR blocks for private subnets"
  type        = list(string)
  default     = []
}

variable "enable_dns_hostnames" {
  description = "Enable DNS hostnames in VPC"
  type        = bool
  default     = true
}

variable "tags" {
  description = "Additional tags"
  type        = map(string)
  default     = {}
}

outputs.tf:

output "vpc_id" {
  description = "ID of the VPC"
  value       = aws_vpc.main.id
}

output "private_subnet_ids" {
  description = "IDs of private subnets"
  value       = aws_subnet.private[*].id
}

output "vpc_cidr_block" {
  description = "CIDR block of VPC"
  value       = aws_vpc.main.cidr_block
}

Best Practices

1. Use semantic versioning for modules
2. Document all variables with descriptions
3. Provide examples in examples/ directory
4. Use validation blocks for input validation
5. Output important attributes for module composition
6. Pin provider versions in versions.tf
7. Use locals for computed values
8. Implement conditional resources with count/for_each
9. Test modules with Terratest
10. Tag all resources consistently

Module Composition

module "vpc" {
  source = "../../modules/aws/vpc"

  name               = "production"
  cidr_block         = "10.0.0.0/16"
  availability_zones = ["us-west-2a", "us-west-2b", "us-west-2c"]

  private_subnet_cidrs = [
    "10.0.1.0/24",
    "10.0.2.0/24",
    "10.0.3.0/24"
  ]

  tags = {
    Environment = "production"
    ManagedBy   = "terraform"
  }
}

module "rds" {
  source = "../../modules/aws/rds"

  identifier     = "production-db"
  engine         = "postgres"
  engine_version = "15.3"
  instance_class = "db.t3.large"

  vpc_id     = module.vpc.vpc_id
  subnet_ids = module.vpc.private_subnet_ids

  tags = {
    Environment = "production"
  }
}

Reference Files

• assets/vpc-module/ - Complete VPC module example
• assets/rds-module/ - RDS module example
• references/aws-modules.md - AWS module patterns
• references/azure-modules.md - Azure module patterns
• references/gcp-modules.md - GCP module patterns

Testing

// tests/vpc_test.go
package test

import (
    "testing"
    "github.com/gruntwork-io/terratest/modules/terraform"
    "github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
)

func TestVPCModule(t *testing.T) {
    terraformOptions := &terraform.Options{
        TerraformDir: "../examples/complete",
    }

    defer terraform.Destroy(t, terraformOptions)
    terraform.InitAndApply(t, terraformOptions)

    vpcID := terraform.Output(t, terraformOptions, "vpc_id")
    assert.NotEmpty(t, vpcID)
}

Related Skills

• multi-cloud-architecture - For architectural decisions
• cost-optimization - For cost-effective designs