Terrateam vs. Build-Your-Own
You can wire together bash scripts, plan file hacks, and PR comments to manage Terraform. Or you can use Terrateam, a GitHub-native stateful engine that handles the hard stuff.
At a Glance
Plan File Storage
Terrateam
Encrypted, access-controlled
Build-Your-Own
Manual S3 or custom storage logic
Plan File Cleanup
Terrateam
Lifecycle-managed automatically
Build-Your-Own
Must script cleanup and retention
Approvals
Terrateam
Declarative with granular rules
Build-Your-Own
Manual or branch protection hacks
| Feature | Terrateam | Build-Your-Own |
|---|---|---|
| Apply After Merge | Supported with locking + invalidation | Requires fragile GitHub logic |
| Concurrent PR Safety | Auto-invalidates overlapping PRs | No plan invalidation, leads to risk |
| Drift Detection | Built-in, scheduled or ad hoc | Not feasible without polling glue |
| Access Control | Directory/workspace scoped | No built-in support |
| OIDC & Short-Lived Credentials | Native AWS/GCP support | Must build own role/session handling |
| Large Plan Handling | Auto-truncates + links to logs | Needs splitting and comment throttling |
| Statefulness | Full backend with locks and audit logs | Stateless unless you build a service |
Developer Pain → Terrateam Fix
"Where do I store my plan files?"
The Problem
Plan files contain sensitive data and can't be stored in GitHub comments. You need secure storage with proper access controls.
Terrateam Solution
Encrypted backend storage with automatic lifecycle management. Plans are securely stored and only accessible to authorized users.
"How do I ensure PR #2 doesn't overwrite PR #1?"
The Problem
Multiple PRs can target the same infrastructure, leading to race conditions and unexpected changes when merged.
Terrateam Solution
Automatic plan invalidation and re-plan logic. When overlapping PRs are detected, Terrateam automatically invalidates and re-runs plans to ensure safety.
"How do I do approvals without leaking secrets?"
The Problem
Terraform plans can contain sensitive data. Posting them in PR comments risks exposing secrets to anyone with PR access.
Terrateam Solution
Masked comments + access-controlled apply permissions. Sensitive data is automatically masked, and only authorized users can view full plans.
"How do I lock production from changes?"
The Problem
Production environments need extra protection. GitHub branch protection isn't granular enough for complex infrastructure.
Terrateam Solution
Config-as-code apply blockers via workflows + tagging. Define exactly who can apply to production and under what conditions.
"How do I handle large Terraform output?"
The Problem
GitHub has comment size limits. Large Terraform plans exceed these limits and can't be posted directly.
Terrateam Solution
Smart truncation + log file linking. Large plans are automatically truncated with links to full logs, ensuring visibility without hitting limits.
"How do I restrict access per environment?"
The Problem
Different environments need different access controls. GitHub permissions are too coarse-grained for this.
Terrateam Solution
Tag-based access policies with workspace and directory granularity. Define exactly who can access what, with fine-grained control.
Architecture Comparison
Complete Architecture
GitHub-native frontend
Built for the GitHub UI and workflow
Stateful backend
Stores plan files, tracks locks, enforces workflows
Scalable runners
Isolated execution environments for security
Drift detection engine
Proactively identifies infrastructure drift
Fully auditable
Complete audit trail of all operations
DIY Architecture
GitHub Actions only
Limited to what Actions can provide
No persistent state
Each workflow run is isolated and stateless
Custom glue code required
Must build everything yourself: storage, locking, approvals
Maintenance burden
Constant updates and fixes required
Security gaps
Hard to implement proper security controls
"Running Terraform plan and apply from our local workstations was no longer acceptable."
Integrated Marine Observing System Case Study
Stop gluing it together
Terrateam gives you the Terraform delivery engine you wish you had built, with zero scripts, zero drift, and full auditability.