Creation of AWS VPC using Terraform (VS Code) — Step by Step

1) Install requirements

• Install Terraform
• Install AWS CLI
• Install VS Code
• (Recommended) Install VS Code extension: HashiCorp Terraform

2) Configure AWS access

• Open terminal and run:
  • aws configure
• Enter:
  • Access Key
  • Secret Key
  • Region (example: ap-south-1)
  • Output format: json

3) Create project folder

• Run:
  • mkdir terraform-vpc
  • cd terraform-vpc
  • code .

4) Create Terraform files

Inside the folder create these files:

• provider.tf
• main.tf
• variables.tf
• outputs.tf
• README.md

5) Write Terraform code

• Add provider configuration in provider.tf
• Add VPC + subnet + IGW + NAT + route table resources in main.tf
• Add variables in variables.tf
• Add outputs in outputs.tf

6) Run Terraform (VS Code Terminal)

Run these commands one by one:

• terraform init
• terraform fmt
• terraform validate
• terraform plan
• terraform apply

7) Verify in AWS Console

Go to:

• AWS Console → VPC Dashboard Check:
• VPC created
• Public + Private subnet created
• IGW attached
• NAT Gateway running
• Route tables linked correctly

8) Delete resources (important)

When done practice:

• terraform destroy

Notes

• NAT Gateway costs money → always destroy after practice
• Don’t upload AWS keys or .tfstate files to GitHub