Here’s a comprehensive tutorial on all valid Terraform module "source" Git URL patterns, with clear examples (no Drivemode references), so you can master using modules from GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and private repos.

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✅ Terraform source for Modules from Git: All Patterns & Examples

Terraform supports loading modules from Git repositories using either HTTPS, SSH, or GitHub short syntax. Below are all common patterns with examples.

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🔹 1. GitHub (HTTPS)

Use this when you don’t want SSH keys or are using public repos.

module "vpc" {
  source = "git::https://github.com/terraform-aws-modules/terraform-aws-vpc.git"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

✅ With Subdirectory

module "s3" {
  source = "git::https://github.com/your-org/terraform-modules.git//modules/s3_bucket"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

✅ With Tag / Branch

source = "git::https://github.com/your-org/terraform-modules.git//modules/s3_bucket?ref=v1.2.0"
source = "git::https://github.com/your-org/terraform-modules.git//modules/s3_bucket?ref=main"
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

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🔹 2. GitHub (SSH)

Use SSH if you’re pulling private modules using a deploy key or SSH agent.

module "eks" {
  source = "git::ssh://git@github.com/your-org/terraform-modules.git//modules/eks_cluster?ref=main"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

✅ Use git::ssh:// for SSH – don’t use raw git@github.com.

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🔹 3. GitHub (Short Syntax – Only for Public Modules)

module "vpc" {
  source = "github.com/terraform-aws-modules/terraform-aws-vpc"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

⚠️ This works only for the root of the repo (no subdirectories, no tags).

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🔹 4. GitLab (HTTPS)

module "firewall" {
  source = "git::https://gitlab.com/your-org/infra-modules.git//firewall?ref=main"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

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🔹 5. Bitbucket (HTTPS)

module "app" {
  source = "git::https://bitbucket.org/your-team/terraform-modules.git//modules/app?ref=release-1.0"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

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🔹 6. Private Git Repos (with SSH)

module "db" {
  source = "git::ssh://git@bitbucket.org/your-org/terraform-db-modules.git//rds?ref=main"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

• Make sure your runner (Terraform Cloud or CI) has access via SSH key.
• Can also use .netrc or GIT_ASKPASS for HTTPS auth in private repos.

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📦 Structure of a Terraform Git Source URL

git::<protocol>://<host>/<repo>.git//<subdir>?ref=<branch|tag|commit>
Code language: HTML, XML (xml)

Part	Example
git:: prefix	tells Terraform to treat it as a Git source
https:// or ssh://	Git protocol
//modules/x	points to subdirectory inside the repo
?ref=	tag, branch, or commit hash

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✅ Pro Tips

Tip	Reason
Always pin a tag using ?ref=...	Prevents breaking changes
Use double slashes // before module subdir	Required for subdirectory paths
Prefer HTTPS for public or Terraform Cloud	Easier integration
Use SSH only if you’ve configured keys properly	Avoids access errors

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🚀 Real-World Example

Let’s say you have this repo:

https://github.com/acme-corp/terraform-infra-modules
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

With a folder structure like:

terraform-infra-modules/
├── vpc/
├── eks/
└── s3/

You can use:

module "vpc" {
  source = "git::https://github.com/acme-corp/terraform-infra-modules.git//vpc?ref=v1.0.0"
}

module "eks" {
  source = "git::ssh://git@github.com/acme-corp/terraform-infra-modules.git//eks?ref=main"
}
Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

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