Repository Strategy: Monorepo vs Multi-repo

In this post, I will explain the repository strategy that I will use for my Infrastructure as Code (IaC) project with Terraform.

Monorepo

A monorepo is a single repository that contains all the code for a project.

The benefits of using a monorepo include:

Simplicity: All the code is in one place, making it easier to manage and maintain.
Consistency: Developers can easily see all the code related to a project and ensure that it follows the same standards and conventions.
Reusability: Code can be shared across different parts of the project, reducing duplication and improving consistency.
Versioning: All the code is versioned together, making it easier to track changes and roll back if necessary.

The challenges of using a monorepo include:

Complexity: A monorepo can become large and complex, making it harder to navigate and understand.
Build times: Building and testing a monorepo can take longer than building and testing smaller repositories.
Conflicts: Multiple developers working on the same codebase can lead to conflicts and merge issues.

A multi-repo is a set of separate repositories that contain the code for different parts of a project.

The benefits of using a multi-repo include:

Isolation: Each repository is independent, making it easier to manage and maintain.
Flexibility: Developers can work on different parts of the project without affecting each other.
Scalability: As the project grows, new repositories can be added to manage the code more effectively.

The challenges of using a multi-repo include:

Complexity: Managing multiple repositories can be more challenging than managing a single repository.
Consistency: Ensuring that all the repositories follow the same standards and conventions can be difficult.
Versioning: Each repository is versioned separately, making it harder to track changes across the project.

For my IaC project with Terraform, I will use a monorepo approach to manage all the Terraform modules and configurations for my project.