Unlocking Advanced Terraform Capabilities: 6 Essential Insights into the Partner Premier Tier

The Terraform Registry has become the go‑to hub for infrastructure as code (IaC) modules and providers. Building on the success of the Partner tag introduced in 2022, HashiCorp has launched a new, elevated status: the Partner Premier tier. This article unpacks the six key things you need to know about this game‑changing addition—from what it is and why it matters, to the technical requirements partners must meet and the early adopters already setting the standard. Whether you're an end user looking for more reliable providers or a partner aiming for top certification, these insights will help you navigate the new landscape.

1. What Is the Partner Premier Tier?

The Partner Premier tag is a new, higher designation on the Terraform Registry that recognizes technology partners who demonstrate the highest commitment to technical quality, security best practices, and adoption of cutting‑edge Terraform provider features. It builds upon the original Partner tag (introduced in 2022) by adding stricter requirements. Partners earning this badge go beyond basic CRUD operations, offering advanced capabilities that solve complex Day‑2 challenges. The tag gives end users immediate confidence that the provider has been vetted for both security and innovation.

2. Enhanced Benefits for End Users

End users gain tangible advantages when choosing a Partner Premier provider. These providers guarantee support for at least one of Terraform’s newest features—Terraform search and actions—alongside previously released ephemeral resources. This means you can automate tasks like configuration saves or server reboots directly within Terraform, eliminating external scripts. Additionally, the Premier badge ensures the provider adheres to security best practices and has ongoing support, with internal components made visible and verifiable. Customers enjoy peace of mind knowing they are using a high‑quality, future‑ready provider.

3. Key Requirement: Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)

A cornerstone of the Partner Premier criteria is the inclusion of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) for the provider. An SBOM is a detailed inventory of all components, libraries, and dependencies used to build the provider. By making this transparent, partners enable end users to assess supply‑chain risks, verify compliance, and quickly identify vulnerabilities. This requirement elevates security transparency beyond what the standard Partner tag demands, aligning with enterprise‑grade IaC practices. For any organization using Terraform in regulated environments, an SBOM is a critical trust signal.

4. Must Implement Advanced Features

To qualify for the Partner Premier tier, partners must implement at least one of three advanced provider features:

• Ephemeral resources – Resources that exist only during a Terraform operation (e.g., a temporary SSH key), improving security by not persisting sensitive data.
• Terraform search – A feature announced at HashiConf 2025 that enables preset search operations within providers, allowing users to query inventory, find resources by tags, or filter by state without writing custom code.
• Terraform actions – Predefined operations for common Day‑2 tasks (e.g., snapshot a database, reboot a server) that extend Terraform’s automation beyond the standard CRUD model.

These features empower users to codify imperative workflows and handle lifecycle management directly inside Terraform.

5. Streamlined Discovery on the Registry

Finding Partner Premier providers is straightforward. On the Terraform Registry, users can sort and filter by the new Partner Premier tag. The search interface also displays at a glance which providers offer Terraform search, ephemeral resources, and Terraform actions. This saves time when evaluating which provider best fits your use case. Instead of manually digging into documentation, you instantly see the advanced capabilities each Premier partner supports, making procurement and vendor selection more efficient.

6. Launch Partners Leading the Way

Several industry leaders have already earned the Partner Premier tag, setting the bar for excellence. Scaleway uses the tier to orchestrate full lifecycles beyond CRUD—from server reboots and instance snapshots to database actions and VPN management. Cisco integrates the tag to automate configuration saves and commits across both IOS and NX‑OS devices. These partners demonstrate how the Premier badge differentiates providers that invest in advanced features, security, and transparency. For users, choosing a Premier partner means gaining a trusted ally in managing complex infrastructure.

The Partner Premier tier marks a significant step forward for the Terraform ecosystem. By demanding SBOMs and advanced feature adoption, HashiCorp is raising the bar for provider quality and security. For end users, this means easier discovery and greater confidence in the providers they choose. Whether you’re just starting with Terraform or scaling enterprise‑wide IaC, keep an eye out for the Premier tag—it’s your shortcut to best‑in‑class providers.