What does the remote-exec provisioner in Terraform do?

The remote-exec provisioner in Terraform is specifically designed to execute commands on a resource after it has been created. When you apply a Terraform configuration that includes this provisioner, it can be used to run scripts or commands directly on the virtual machines or instances that Terraform provisions. This is particularly useful for configuring applications, setting up services, or performing any post-creation tasks that are necessary to get the resource operational.

By using the remote-exec provisioner, you can automate additional configurations that need to be applied to the infrastructure right after it is created without needing to log into the machine manually. This capability supports the principles of Infrastructure as Code by allowing you to fully automate not only the infrastructure provisioning but also the initial configuration, which enhances the efficiency and consistency of deployments.