# Terraform State
Status: public
Confidence: medium (0.725) (verified)
Last verified: 2026-05-28
Generation: human_only


## TL;DR

Terraform state records how Terraform maps configured resource instances to real infrastructure. HashiCorp documents local state as JSON and recommends remote storage for team collaboration and resilience.

## Evidence Notes

- HashiCorp's state overview explains why Terraform stores state.
- The same documentation describes state snapshots as JSON and discourages direct edits.
- HashiCorp's remote-state guidance narrows the collaboration claim.

## Further Reading

- [State | Terraform | HashiCorp Developer](https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/state)
- [State: Purpose | Terraform | HashiCorp Developer](https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/state/purpose)
- [State: Remote Storage | Terraform | HashiCorp Developer](https://developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/state/remote)