terraform plan -detailed-exitcode returns exit code 2 while displaying "No changes" when output expression type changes

[AkashiSN]

Terraform Version

Terraform v1.14.3 and v1.15.0-alpha20251203

Terraform Configuration Files

# main.tf
locals {
    empty_list = tolist([])
}

output "result" {
    value = {
        items = length(local.empty_list) > 0 ? local.empty_list : [""]
    }
}

After initial apply, change to:

# main.tf (modified)
output "result" {
    value = {
        items = [""]
    }
}

Debug Output

2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [INFO]  Terraform version: 1.14.3
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] using github.com/hashicorp/go-tfe v1.94.0
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] using github.com/hashicorp/hcl/v2 v2.24.0
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] using github.com/hashicorp/terraform-svchost v0.1.1
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] using github.com/zclconf/go-cty v1.16.3
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [INFO]  Go runtime version: go1.25.5
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [INFO]  CLI args: []string{"/Users/user/.tenv/Terraform/1.14.3/terraform", "plan", "-detailed-exitcode"}
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [TRACE] Stdout is a terminal of width 197
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [TRACE] Stderr is a terminal of width 197
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [TRACE] Stdin is a terminal
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] Attempting to open CLI config file: /Users/user/.terraformrc
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] File doesn't exist, but doesn't need to. Ignoring.
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] ignoring non-existing provider search directory terraform.d/plugins
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] ignoring non-existing provider search directory /Users/user/.terraform.d/plugins
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] ignoring non-existing provider search directory /Users/user/Library/Application Support/io.terraform/plugins
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [DEBUG] ignoring non-existing provider search directory /Library/Application Support/io.terraform/plugins
2026-01-26T23:56:58.245+0900 [INFO]  CLI command args: []string{"plan", "-detailed-exitcode"}
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [TRACE] Meta.Backend: no config given or present on disk, so returning nil config
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [TRACE] Meta.Backend: backend has not previously been initialized in this working directory
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [TRACE] Meta.Backend: using default local state only (no backend configuration, and no existing initialized backend)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [TRACE] Meta.Backend: instantiated backend of type <nil>
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [DEBUG] checking for provisioner in "."
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [DEBUG] checking for provisioner in "/Users/user/.tenv/Terraform/1.14.3"
2026-01-26T23:56:58.246+0900 [TRACE] Meta.Backend: backend <nil> does not support operations, so wrapping it in a local backend
2026-01-26T23:56:58.247+0900 [INFO]  backend/local: starting Plan operation
2026-01-26T23:56:58.247+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: requesting state manager for workspace "default"
2026-01-26T23:56:58.247+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: state manager for workspace "default" will:
 - read initial snapshot from terraform.tfstate
 - write new snapshots to terraform.tfstate
 - create any backup at terraform.tfstate.backup
2026-01-26T23:56:58.247+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: requesting state lock for workspace "default"
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: preparing to manage state snapshots at terraform.tfstate
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: existing snapshot has lineage "5fdcb357-d831-c31f-a57e-34771b229a62" serial 1
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: locking terraform.tfstate using fcntl flock
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: writing lock metadata to .terraform.tfstate.lock.info
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: reading remote state for workspace "default"
2026-01-26T23:56:58.248+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: reading latest snapshot from terraform.tfstate
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: read snapshot with lineage "5fdcb357-d831-c31f-a57e-34771b229a62" serial 1
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: populating backendrun.LocalRun for current working directory
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] terraform.NewContext: starting
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] terraform.NewContext: complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: requesting interactive input, if necessary
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Context.Input: Prompting for provider arguments
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] backend/local: running validation operation
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [DEBUG] Building and walking validate graph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] building graph for walkValidate
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] ConfigTransformer: Starting for path:
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionTriggerConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionInvokePlanTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RootVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.variableValidationTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] variableValidationTransformer: adding validation nodes for any existing variable evaluation nodes
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.LocalTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] OutputTransformer: adding result as *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.checkTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OrphanResourceInstanceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.StateTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] StateTransformer: pointless no-op call, creating no nodes at all
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachStateTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OrphanOutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachResourceConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.graphTransformerMulti
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer with new graph:
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RemovedModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachSchemaTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleExpansionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ExternalReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "output.result (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "local.empty_list (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachDependenciesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] AttachDependenciesTransformer: output.result (expand) depends on []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.attachDataResourceDependsOnTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.DestroyEdgeTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.pruneUnusedNodesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TargetsTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.QueryTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ForcedCBDTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ephemeralResourceCloseTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseRootModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TransitiveReductionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Completed graph transform:
local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
root - *terraform.nodeCloseModule
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [DEBUG] Starting graph walk: walkValidate
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": starting visit (*terraform.nodeExpandOutput)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": starting visit (*terraform.nodeExpandLocal)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": expanding dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Expanding local: adding local.empty_list as *terraform.NodeLocal
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": entering dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": expanding dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Expanding output: adding output.result as *terraform.NodeApplyableOutput
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": entering dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": starting visit (*terraform.NodeLocal)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": belongs to
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": starting visit (*terraform.NodeApplyableOutput)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": belongs to
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving Create change for output.result in changeset
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (terraform.graphNodeRoot)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": dynamic subgraph completed successfully
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving value for output.result in state
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving value for output.result in state
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (terraform.graphNodeRoot)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": dynamic subgraph completed successfully
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (*terraform.nodeCloseModule)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [INFO]  backend/local: plan calling Plan
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [DEBUG] Building and walking plan graph for NormalMode
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] building graph for walkPlan
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.249+0900 [TRACE] ConfigTransformer: Starting for path:
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionTriggerConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionInvokePlanTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RootVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.variableValidationTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] variableValidationTransformer: adding validation nodes for any existing variable evaluation nodes
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.LocalTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] OutputTransformer: adding result as *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.checkTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OrphanResourceInstanceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.StateTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] StateTransformer: creating nodes for deposed instance objects only
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachStateTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OrphanOutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachResourceConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.graphTransformerMulti
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.250+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer with new graph:
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RemovedModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachSchemaTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleExpansionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ExternalReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "local.empty_list (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "output.result (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachDependenciesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] AttachDependenciesTransformer: output.result (expand) depends on []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.attachDataResourceDependsOnTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.DestroyEdgeTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.pruneUnusedNodesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TargetsTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.QueryTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ForcedCBDTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ephemeralResourceCloseTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseRootModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TransitiveReductionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Completed graph transform:
local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
root - *terraform.nodeCloseModule
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] Starting graph walk: walkPlan
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": starting visit (*terraform.nodeExpandLocal)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": expanding dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Expanding local: adding local.empty_list as *terraform.NodeLocal
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": starting visit (*terraform.nodeExpandOutput)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": expanding dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Expanding output: adding output.result as *terraform.NodeApplyableOutput
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": entering dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": entering dynamic subgraph
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": starting visit (*terraform.NodeLocal)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": belongs to
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": starting visit (*terraform.NodeApplyableOutput)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": belongs to
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (terraform.graphNodeRoot)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving Update change for output.result in changeset
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": dynamic subgraph completed successfully
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving value for output.result in state
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] setValue: Saving value for output.result in state
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "local.empty_list (expand)": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (terraform.graphNodeRoot)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": dynamic subgraph completed successfully
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "output.result (expand)": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": starting visit (*terraform.nodeCloseModule)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": does not belong to any module instance
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] vertex "root": visit complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Plan is complete
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Plan is applyable
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] building apply graph to check for errors
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] ConfigTransformer: Starting for path:
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RootVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleVariableTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.variableValidationTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] variableValidationTransformer: adding validation nodes for any existing variable evaluation nodes
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.LocalTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] OutputTransformer: adding result as *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.DiffTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionTriggerConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionInvokeApplyTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ActionDiffTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.DeferredTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.checkTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachStateTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.OrphanOutputTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachResourceConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.graphTransformerMulti
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.externalProviderTransformer with new graph:
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderConfigTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.MissingProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.ProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Executing graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] (graphTransformerMulti) Completed graph transform *terraform.PruneProviderTransformer (no changes)
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.RemovedModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachSchemaTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ModuleExpansionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ExternalReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ReferenceTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "local.empty_list (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [DEBUG] ReferenceTransformer: "output.result (expand)" references: []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.AttachDependenciesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] AttachDependenciesTransformer: output.result (expand) depends on []
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.checkStartTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ForcedCBDTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.DestroyEdgeTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CBDEdgeTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.pruneUnusedNodesTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TargetsTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.ephemeralResourceCloseTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseProviderTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.CloseRootModuleTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Executing graph transform *terraform.TransitiveReductionTransformer
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] Completed graph transform:
local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
root - *terraform.nodeCloseModule
  local.empty_list (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandLocal
  output.result (expand) - *terraform.nodeExpandOutput
  ------
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [INFO]  backend/local: plan operation completed

No changes. Your infrastructure matches the configuration.

Terraform has compared your real infrastructure against your configuration and found no differences, so no changes are needed.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Note: You didn't use the -out option to save this plan, so Terraform can't guarantee to take exactly these actions if you run "terraform apply" now.
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: removing lock metadata file .terraform.tfstate.lock.info
2026-01-26T23:56:58.251+0900 [TRACE] statemgr.Filesystem: unlocking terraform.tfstate using fcntl flock

Expected Behavior

When the displayed output shows "No changes. Your infrastructure matches the configuration.", terraform plan -detailed-exitcode should return exit code 0.

Actual Behavior

The CLI displays "No changes. Your infrastructure matches the configuration." but returns exit code 2, indicating changes are present.

$ terraform plan -detailed-exitcode

No changes. Your infrastructure matches the configuration.

Terraform has compared your real infrastructure against your configuration and found no differences, so no changes are needed.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Note: You didn't use the -out option to save this plan, so Terraform can't guarantee to take exactly these actions if you run "terraform apply" now.

$ echo $?
2

Steps to Reproduce

#!/bin/bash
mkdir -p /tmp/tf-repro && cd /tmp/tf-repro

# Step 1: Create initial config with conditional expression
cat > main.tf << 'EOF'
locals {
    empty_list = tolist([])
}

output "result" {
    value = {
        items = length(local.empty_list) > 0 ? local.empty_list : [""]
    }
}
EOF

# Step 2: Initialize and apply
terraform init
terraform apply -auto-approve

# Step 3: Modify output to hardcoded value (same result, different expression)
cat > main.tf << 'EOF'
output "result" {
    value = {
        items = [""]
    }
}
EOF

# Step 4: Run plan with detailed-exitcode
terraform plan -detailed-exitcode
echo "Exit code: $?"
# Expected: 0, Actual: 2

Additional Context

Investigation suggests this is caused by two different comparison mechanisms:

1. Display logic (internal/command/jsonformat/jsondiff/diff.go:95): Uses reflect.DeepEqual on JSON-serialized data
2. Exit code logic (internal/terraform/node_output.go:727-734): Uses cty.Value.Equals() with strict type checking

The conditional expression length(...) > 0 ? list : [""] produces a list(string) type (due to type unification), while the hardcoded [""] produces a tuple([string]) type. The values are identical, but the types
differ.

• reflect.DeepEqual (JSON) → true → "No changes" displayed
• cty.Value.Equals() (cty) → false → Action = Update → exit code 2

Workaround: Explicitly convert the type:

output "result" {
    value = {
        items = tolist([""])
    }
}

References

• Wrong detailed exit code when using the refresh only option #37406 (similar issue for refresh-only mode, fixed by Implement equality for state objects #37886)
• Implement equality for state objects #37886 (fix for refresh-only mode using RootOutputValuesEqual, does not address normal plan mode which uses plan.Changes.Empty())

Generative AI / LLM assisted development?

Claude Code was used for:

• Navigating Terraform source code to identify the root cause
• Tracing the code paths for exit code determination vs. display logic

All analysis results were independently verified by the reporter through:

• Manual code review of the identified source files
• Reproduction testing on Terraform v1.15.0-alpha20251203
• Confirmation that the issue persists after Implement equality for state objects #37886 fix

[crw]

Thanks for this report! And thanks for filling out the LLM section, I think you are the first person to do so! We appreciate it!