Something Went Wrong: Resolving Terraform Source Code Access Errors

When analyzing the HashiCorp Terraform repository, the "Something went wrong" error indicates the source code is not present in the required /tmp/target_repo directory, preventing architecture analysis and inline source linking.

When attempting to examine the HashiCorp Terraform codebase for implementation details or architectural patterns, developers may encounter a generic "Something went wrong" failure. This error occurs specifically when the analysis environment cannot access the repository files at the expected filesystem location. Without the source code available, the system cannot extract key implementation details, generate inline source links, or analyze the codebase architecture.

Understanding the /tmp/target_repo Requirement

The Terraform source analysis system requires the complete repository to be mounted at a specific filesystem location. According to the analysis protocol, the system checks for repository contents in /tmp/target_repo before proceeding with any architecture examination or source code extraction.

When the repository is absent from this location:

• Architecture analysis cannot proceed
• Inline source links cannot be generated
• Key implementation details remain inaccessible
• The system returns a "Something went wrong" error

Common Causes of Source Code Unavailability

Several scenarios trigger access errors when working with Terraform source:

Missing Repository Clone

If /tmp/target_repo does not exist or is empty, the analysis engine cannot locate the repository files required for processing.

Incorrect Mount Point

Repository contents placed in alternate directories (such as /home/user/terraform or /var/tmp/terraform) are invisible to the analysis system, which strictly expects the /tmp/target_repo path.

Permission Restrictions

Even when present, files with restrictive permissions prevent the analysis engine from reading the source code, triggering access errors instead of processing results.

Resolving Filesystem Access Errors

To fix the "Something went wrong" error and enable Terraform source analysis:

1. Verify the target directory exists:

ls -la /tmp/target_repo

2. Clone the HashiCorp Terraform repository to the correct location:

git clone https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform.git /tmp/target_repo

3. Ensure proper permissions for the analysis user:

chmod -R 755 /tmp/target_repo

4. Verify the repository is accessible:

ls /tmp/target_repo

Once the repository is available at /tmp/target_repo with appropriate permissions, architecture analysis can proceed, enabling extraction of implementation details and generation of inline source links.

Summary

• Mount Point Critical: Terraform source analysis requires the repository at /tmp/target_repo
• Error Source: "Something went wrong" appears when repository contents are missing or inaccessible
• Verification Needed: Confirm directory existence and read permissions before analysis
• Solution: Clone hashicorp/terraform to /tmp/target_repo with proper access rights

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the analysis require /tmp/target_repo specifically?

The analysis engine uses a hardcoded path at /tmp/target_repo to standardize repository access across different environments. This ensures consistent file references when analyzing Terraform's architecture and generating inline source links, regardless of the host system's directory structure.

Can I use a symbolic link to point /tmp/target_repo to my existing Terraform clone?

Yes, creating a symbolic link is an effective solution. If your Terraform repository exists elsewhere (for example, at /home/user/terraform), you can run ln -s /home/user/terraform /tmp/target_repo. The analysis engine follows symlinks and can access the source code provided permissions allow reading the target directory.

What specific indicators confirm the repository is properly mounted?

Verify the presence of standard repository indicators: /tmp/target_repo should contain version control markers (such as a .git directory), module definition files (go.mod), and source directories. These elements confirm you have the complete Terraform source tree rather than a partial or corrupted clone.

Are there security risks to placing the Terraform repository in /tmp?

The /tmp directory is world-writable on most Unix systems, which could allow other users to modify source files if permissions are not set correctly. Always verify that /tmp/target_repo has restrictive permissions (for example, chmod 755 or 700) and is owned by the analysis user to prevent tampering with the codebase during analysis.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}