terraform/website/docs/backends/init.html.md

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docs	Backends: Init	docs-backends-init	Terraform must initialize any configured backend before use. This can be done by simply running `terraform init`.

Backend Initialization

Terraform must initialize any configured backend before use. This can be done by simply running terraform init.

The terraform init command should be run by any member of your team on any Terraform configuration as a first step. It is safe to execute multiple times and performs all the setup actions required for a Terraform environment, including initializing the backend.

The init command must be called:

• On any new environment that configures a backend
• On any change of the backend configuration (including type of backend)
• On removing backend configuration completely

You don't need to remember these exact cases. Terraform will detect when initialization is required and error in that situation. Terraform doesn't auto-initialize because it may require additional information from the user, perform state migrations, etc.

The init command will do more than just initialize the backend. Please see the init documentation for more information.