Which task does terraform init not perform?

Terraform init is a fundamental command that prepares your working directory for other Terraform commands. Its primary purposes include setting up the backend configuration, initializing and downloading modules, and configuring providers based on the specifications in your Terraform files.

The task that Terraform init does not perform is validating all required variables are present. While Terraform does require certain variables to be defined for resources and modules to function properly, these validations typically occur at a later stage, specifically during the plan or apply commands. Terraform init focuses on setting up the environment and does not assess the completeness of variable definitions.

In essence, the responsibilities of Terraform init center around environment preparation rather than the validation of input parameters, which is why the task of ensuring all required variables are present does not fall within its scope.