Understanding Module AFT Inputs

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 48 views

Introduction

When working with Terraform modules, it's essential to understand how to configure inputs to meet specific requirements. In this article, we'll explore how to provide branches for repositories in the module AFT inputs. We'll also discuss how to specify a particular branch instead of only the repository name.

Understanding Module AFT Inputs

The module AFT, also known as the AWS Control Tower Account Factory, is a Terraform module that helps you create and manage AWS accounts. The module requires several inputs, including the repository names for various configurations. The inputs are specified using the account_request_repo_name, global_customizations_repo_name, account_customizations_repo_name, and account_provisioning_customizations_repo_name variables.

Specifying Branches for Repositories

By default, the module AFT only accepts the repository name as an input. However, in some cases, you might need to specify a particular branch for the repository. To achieve this, you can modify the input variables to include the branch name.

Modifying Input Variables

To specify a branch for a repository, you can modify the input variables as follows:

module "aft" {
  source = "github.com/aws-ia/terraform-aws-control_tower_account_factory"
  # VCS Vars
  vcs_provider                                  = "github"
  account_request_repo_name                     = "ExampleOrg/example-repo-1"
  global_customizations_repo_name               = "ExampleOrg/example-repo-2"
  account_customizations_repo_name              = "ExampleOrg/example-repo-3"
  account_provisioning_customizations_repo_name = "ExampleOrg/example-repo-4"
  # New input variables for branch specification
  account_request_repo_branch                  = "main"
  global_customizations_repo_branch            = "dev"
  account_customizations_repo_branch           = "feature/new-feature"
  account_provisioning_customizations_repo_branch = "release/v1.0"
}

In the above example, we've added new input variables account_request_repo_branch, global_customizations_repo_branch, account_customizations_repo_branch, and account_provisioning_customizations_repo_branch to specify the branch for each repository.

Using Branches in Module AFT

Once you've modified the input variables, you can use the branch specification in the module AFT. The module will use the specified branch for the repository.

Example Use Case

Suppose you have a repository ExampleOrg/example-repo-1 with a branch main that contains the configuration for account requests. You can use the modified input variables to specify the branch as follows:

module "aft" {
  source = "github.com/aws-ia/terraform-aws-control_tower_account_factory"
  # VCS Vars
  vcs_provider                                  = "github"
  account_request_repo_name                     = "ExampleOrg/example-repo-1"
  account_request_repo_branch                  = "main"
  # Other input variables...
}

In this example, the module AFT will use the main branch from the ExampleOrg/example-repo-1 repository for account requests.

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to provide branches for repositories in the module AFT inputs. We've discussed how to modify the input variables to include branch specification and how to use the branches in the module AFT. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize the module AFT to meet your specific requirements.

Best Practices

When working with Terraform modules, it's essential to follow best practices to ensure that your code is maintainable, scalable, and secure. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Use meaningful variable names to make your code easier to understand.
Document your code using comments and documentation strings.
Use input variables to customize the module behavior.
Test your code thoroughly to ensure that it works as expected.
Follow the Terraform style guide to ensure consistency in your code.

By following these best practices, you can write high-quality code that is easy to maintain and scale.

Common Issues and Solutions

When working with Terraform modules, you might encounter common issues such as:

Invalid input variables: Make sure that the input variables are correctly specified and match the expected format.
Missing dependencies: Ensure that the module dependencies are correctly specified and installed.
Conflicting configurations: Use input variables to customize the module behavior and avoid conflicts.

To resolve these issues, you can:

Check the Terraform documentation for the correct input variable format.
Verify that the module dependencies are correctly specified and installed.
Use input variables to customize the module behavior and avoid conflicts.

By following these best practices and troubleshooting common issues, you can write high-quality code that is easy to maintain and scale.

Additional Resources

For more information on Terraform modules and best practices, you can refer to the following resources:

Terraform Documentation: The official Terraform documentation provides detailed information on Terraform modules, input variables, and best practices.
Terraform Style Guide: The Terraform style guide provides guidelines for writing consistent and maintainable code.
Terraform Community: The Terraform community provides a wealth of knowledge and resources for Terraform users.

Q: What is the purpose of the module AFT?

A: The module AFT, also known as the AWS Control Tower Account Factory, is a Terraform module that helps you create and manage AWS accounts. It provides a set of pre-configured resources and policies to simplify the process of setting up and managing AWS accounts.

Q: How do I specify a particular branch for a repository in the module AFT inputs?

A: To specify a particular branch for a repository, you can modify the input variables to include the branch name. For example, you can add a new input variable account_request_repo_branch to specify the branch for the account_request_repo_name repository.

Q: What is the difference between the `account_request_repo_name` and `account_request_repo_branch` input variables?

A: The account_request_repo_name input variable specifies the name of the repository that contains the configuration for account requests. The account_request_repo_branch input variable specifies the branch within the repository that contains the configuration for account requests.

Q: Can I use a different VCS provider other than GitHub?

A: Yes, you can use a different VCS provider other than GitHub. To do this, you need to modify the vcs_provider input variable to specify the name of the VCS provider you want to use.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the module AFT inputs?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the module AFT inputs, you can check the Terraform documentation for the correct input variable format, verify that the module dependencies are correctly specified and installed, and use input variables to customize the module behavior and avoid conflicts.

Q: What are some best practices for working with Terraform modules?

A: Some best practices for working with Terraform modules include using meaningful variable names, documenting your code using comments and documentation strings, using input variables to customize the module behavior, testing your code thoroughly, and following the Terraform style guide.

Q: Can I use the module AFT with other Terraform modules?

A: Yes, you can use the module AFT with other Terraform modules. To do this, you need to specify the module dependencies in the module block and use the source attribute to specify the location of the module.

Q: How do I update the module AFT to use a newer version of Terraform?

A: To update the module AFT to use a newer version of Terraform, you need to modify the terraform_version input variable to specify the newer version of Terraform.

Q: Can I use the module AFT with AWS Organizations?

A: Yes, you can use the module AFT with AWS Organizations. To do this, you need to specify the AWS Organizations ID in the aws_orgs_id input variable.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the module AFT and AWS Organizations?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the module AFT and AWS Organizations, you can check the Terraform documentation for the correct input variable format, verify that the module dependencies are correctly specified and installed, and use input variables to customize the module behavior and avoid conflicts.

Q: What are some common issues that can occur when using the module AFT?

A: Some common issues that can occur when using the module AFT include invalid input variables, missing dependencies, and conflicting configurations.

Q: How do I resolve issues with the module AFT?

A: To resolve issues with the module AFT, you can check the Terraform documentation for the correct input variable format, verify that the module dependencies are correctly specified and installed, and use input variables to customize the module behavior and avoid conflicts.

By following these FAQs, you can better understand how to use the module AFT and troubleshoot common issues that may arise.