Introducing the Partner Premier Tier: Elevating Provider Quality in the Terraform Registry

The Terraform Registry is rolling out a new distinction for technology partners who go above and beyond standard integration. Building on the existing Partner tag introduced in 2022, the Partner Premier tier recognizes providers that embrace the latest Terraform features, prioritize security, and deliver extended automation capabilities. This tier helps end users quickly identify high-quality, feature-rich providers that support advanced workflows beyond basic infrastructure provisioning. Below, we answer key questions about this new status.

What is the new Partner Premier tier in the Terraform Registry?

The Partner Premier tier is an elevated status on the Terraform Registry that identifies technology partners who demonstrate exceptional technical quality and adoption of cutting-edge Terraform features. It sits above the regular Partner tag, adding stricter requirements in security and feature implementation. Providers with this tag must include a software bill of materials (SBOM) for transparency and implement at least one advanced feature: ephemeral resources, Terraform search, or Terraform actions. This tier was announced at HashiConf 2025 alongside new Terraform capabilities that bring common Day 2 operations into the native pipeline. By earning the Partner Premier badge, providers signal to customers a deep commitment to best practices and ongoing support.

How does the Partner Premier tier differ from the standard Partner tag?

The original Partner tag required providers to meet baseline integration criteria, but the Partner Premier tier adds a higher bar. To qualify for Premier, a partner must first satisfy all existing Partner requirements. Then they must fulfill two new conditions: produce a software bill of materials (SBOM) for the provider — making internal components visible and verifiable — and implement at least one advanced feature (ephemeral resources, Terraform search, or Terraform actions). These extras ensure Premier providers offer enhanced security, deeper control, and the ability to codify imperative workflows beyond the standard CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Destroy) model. The Premier tag appears alongside listings on the Registry, allowing customers to filter and sort by this status.

What advanced features must Partner Premier providers support?

Partner Premier providers must support at least one of three cutting-edge Terraform features:

• Ephemeral resources — temporary infrastructure that exists only during a Terraform operation, improving security by not persisting sensitive data.
• Terraform search — a feature that allows querying provider data directly from within Terraform, enabling dynamic lookups and condition checks.
• Terraform actions — prebuilt operations that extend automation to common Day 2 tasks (e.g., server reboots, configuration commits), moving those actions into the Terraform pipeline.

These features were introduced at HashiConf 2025 and require native provider support. The requirement ensures that Premier providers are leveraging Terraform’s latest capabilities to solve complex lifecycle management and security challenges.

Why was the Partner Premier tier created?

As infrastructure as code (IaC) becomes the backbone of modern enterprises, simple Day 0 provisioning is no longer sufficient. Organizations need providers that can handle security, lifecycle management, and sovereignty beyond basic resource creation. The Partner Premier tier was designed to recognize partners who invest in advanced technical quality and security best practices. It also gives customers peace of mind: Premier providers adhere to rigorous security standards, offer ongoing support, and maintain transparency through SBOMs. By surfacing these providers on the Registry, HashiCorp aims to streamline the selection process for users who need feature-rich, trusted integrations for complex, production-grade environments.

Who are the launch partners for the Partner Premier tier?

The Partner Premier tier launches with two key industry leaders:

• Scaleway — Enables orchestration beyond CRUD, including server reboots, instance snapshots, database actions, and VPN management through Terraform actions.
• Cisco — Provides the ability to automate configuration saves and commits in both Cisco IOS and NX-OS environments, leveraging Terraform actions for Day 2 operations.

These partners exemplify the shift from provisioning-only to full lifecycle management. They were selected for their commitment to implementing advanced features and meeting the new security requirements, setting a high standard for future Premier providers.

How can customers identify Partner Premier providers on the Registry?

The Terraform Registry will display a distinctive Partner Premier tag on provider listings that meet the new criteria. Users can filter or sort by this tag to see only those providers that offer advanced features such as Terraform search, ephemeral resources, or Terraform actions. At a glance, customers can determine which providers support imperative Day 2 tasks directly within Terraform, enhancing automation and security. The tag also signals that the provider has published a software bill of materials, offering transparency into its components. This streamlined search experience helps users quickly find and trust the most capable providers for their infrastructure needs.

What are the security benefits of the Partner Premier tier?

Security is a cornerstone of the Partner Premier tier. Every Premier provider must include a software bill of materials (SBOM) for their Terraform provider. This document lists all software dependencies and components, making the provider’s internal composition visible and verifiable. Additionally, by requiring at least one advanced feature — particularly ephemeral resources — Premier providers help mitigate risks associated with persisting sensitive data. Ephemeral resources exist only during a Terraform run, reducing attack surfaces. The tier also reinforces ongoing support and adherence to security best practices, giving customers confidence that the provider is actively maintained and transparent. This combination of SBOM transparency and advanced security features sets a new benchmark for provider quality in the Registry.