[richstokes]

I think it's configurable, but my experience with terraform is that by default when you `terraform apply` it refreshes state, which seems to be tantamount to running a new plan. i.e. its not simply executing whats in the plan, its effectively running a fresh plan and using that. The plan is more like a preview.

[GauntletWizard]

That is the default, but the correct (and poorly documented and supported) way to use terraform is to save the plan and re-use it when you apply. See the -out parameter to terraform plan, and then never apply again without it.