> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fastfoundation.nimble.la/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# IaC Introduction

> Fast Foundation provides a comprehensive Terragrunt-based Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solution for managing AWS multi-account environments. The system implements modular, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure following AWS Well-Architected principles.

## Key Concepts

<Note>
  **Recommended Learning Path**: We recommend reviewing these concepts in order.
</Note>

To fully understand and work with Fast Foundation's IaC system, you should familiarize yourself with these fundamental concepts:

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="AWS Architecture" icon="server" href="/introduction-key-concepts/1-aws-architecture">
    **Multi-account strategy and organizational structure**\
    Learn about Fast Foundation's hierarchical AWS Organization setup, including account purposes, networking architecture, security design, and observability patterns. This section covers the foundational architecture that supports all other components.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Terragrunt Guide" icon="code" href="/introduction-key-concepts/2-terragrunt-guide">
    **Infrastructure orchestration and parameter management**\
    Understand how Fast Foundation uses Terragrunt to orchestrate Terraform, including our custom parameter management system, before-hooks, repository structure, and best practices for maintaining consistent infrastructure across environments.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Terragrunt.hcl Template" icon="file-code" href="/introduction-key-concepts/3-terragrunt-hcl-template">
    **Required configuration structure and naming conventions**\
    Learn the specific structure required for Terragrunt files in Fast Foundation, including required components, configuration blocks, and naming best practices that ensure smooth integration with our parameter management system.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technology Stack

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Infrastructure Tools">
    * **Terragrunt**: Orchestrates Terraform configurations and enforces DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself) principles
    * **Terraform (min. v1.11.3, recommended v1.13.1+)**: Core Infrastructure as Code provisioning tool
    * **AWS CLI**: Manages AWS accounts, authentication, and IaC parameter sync
    * **Bash**: Used for additional automation and scripting
    * **Remote State (S3 backend)**: Stores Terraform state in Amazon S3 with state locking enabled
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Benefits

<Check>
  **Key Benefits of Fast Foundation IaC:**

  * **Consistency** – Standardized patterns across all AWS accounts and environments
  * **Scalability** – Modular design that grows with organizational needs
  * **Security** – Strong boundaries and compliance built in by design
  * **Efficiency** – Automated provisioning reduces manual setup
  * **Reliability** – Full Infrastructure as Code under version control and testing
</Check>