How to destroy one specific resource from TF file in Terraform?

Terraform destroy is a command that allows you to destroy either a full stack (based on your TF files), or single resources, using the -target option. You can even do:

$ terraform state list
$ terraform destroy -target RESOURCE_TYPE.NAME
$ terraform destroy -target RESOURCE_TYPE.NAME -target RESOURCE_TYPE2.NAME
$ terraform state listCode language: PHP (php)

Option of skipping a resource while destroying terraform resources?

$ terraform state list
$ terraform destroy -target=RESOURCE_TYPE.NAME -target=RESOURCE_TYPE2.NAME
$ terraform state listCode language: PHP (php)

How to remove single resources, single instances of a resource, entire modules, and more items from the Terraform state?

# Remove a Resource
$ terraform state rm module.foo.packet_device.worker[0]

# Remove a Module
$ terraform state rm module.fooCode language: PHP (php)

How to delete all resources except one?

# list all resources
terraform state list

# remove that resource you don't want to destroy
# you can add more to be excluded if required
terraform state rm <resource_to_be_deleted> 

# destroy the whole stack except above resource(s)
terraform destroy Code language: PHP (php)

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

I publish technical articles at DevOps School, travel stories at Holiday Landmark, stock market insights at Stocks Mantra, health and fitness guidance at My Medic Plus, product reviews at TrueReviewNow, and SEO and digital marketing strategies at Wizbrand.