How to open a .hcl file (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Q: Why can't I open my .hcl file?

Usually your computer lacks an app that understands HCL. Install one of the apps listed here, or convert the file to a more common format.

A .hcl file is a HashiCorp Configuration Language File. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads HCL yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.

Open a .hcl file step by step

Confirm the file really is a .hcl. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
On Windows, open it with VS Code (HCL extension) or any text editor.
On Mac, use VS Code (HCL extension) or any text editor.
On Linux, try VS Code (HCL extension) or any text editor.
Still stuck? Convert the .hcl to json, which opens more widely.

Best apps to open .hcl files

Windows

VS Code (HCL extension)
any text editor

macOS

VS Code (HCL extension)
any text editor

Linux

VS Code (HCL extension)
any text editor

Before you open it: Safe to open: it is plain-text configuration. The caution lies in what the consuming tool does with it, for example provisioning infrastructure or changing cluster state.

Frequently asked questions

Why can't I open my .hcl file?

Almost always because no installed app understands HCL. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.

What uses .hcl files?

HashiCorp tools: Packer image builds, Nomad jobs, Consul and Vault configuration. Terraform uses the same language but names the files .tf.

Is HCL the same as JSON or YAML?

No, it is its own syntax with blocks and expressions, though every HCL file can be expressed in an equivalent JSON form. It is generally easier for humans to read than either.