Terraform Cloud "Terraform version ... not available" workspace version in CI

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

The remote run uses the Terraform version pinned on the workspace, not the CLI version on the runner. If the workspace pins a version HCP Terraform no longer offers, or a version that conflicts with required_version, the run cannot start.

What this error means

A remote run fails with "Terraform version X is not available" or that the workspace Terraform version does not satisfy the configuration required_version constraint.

Error: Terraform version "1.2.9" is not available in HCP Terraform for this
workspace, or does not satisfy the configuration's required_version constraint.

Common causes

The workspace pins an unavailable version

A version that was set long ago may no longer be offered, so runs on that workspace cannot start.

The workspace version conflicts with required_version

The configuration required_version excludes the version pinned on the workspace, so plan is blocked.

How to fix it

Set a supported workspace version

1. Open Workspace > Settings > General > Terraform Version.
2. Pick a version that HCP Terraform offers and that satisfies required_version.
3. Re-run the plan.

Align required_version with the workspace

Update the configuration constraint so it includes the workspace version you intend to run on.

terraform {
  required_version = ">= 1.6.0"
}

How to prevent it

• Keep the workspace Terraform version and required_version compatible.
• Bump workspace versions before they age out of availability.
• Remember the remote run version comes from the workspace, not the CLI.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• Terraform documentation
• GitHub Actions documentation