| --- |
| page_title: plantimestamp - Functions - Configuration Language |
| description: |- |
| The plantimestamp functions a string representation of the date and time |
| during the plan. |
| --- |
| |
| # `plantimestamp` Function |
| |
| -> **Note:** This function is only available in Terraform v1.5 and later. |
| |
| `plantimestamp` returns a UTC timestamp string in [RFC 3339](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3339) format. |
| |
| In the Terraform language, timestamps are conventionally represented as |
| strings using [RFC 3339](https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc3339) |
| "Date and Time format" syntax, and so `plantimestamp` returns a string |
| in this format. |
| |
| The result of this function will change for every plan operation. It is intended |
| for use within [Custom Conditions](/terraform/language/expressions/custom-conditions) |
| as a way to validate time sensitive resources such as TLS certificates. |
| |
| There are circumstances, such as during a Terraform [Refresh-only](/terraform/cli/commands/plan#planning-modes) plan, where |
| the value for this function will be recomputed but not propagated to resources |
| defined within the configuration. As such, it is recommended that this function |
| only be used to compare against timestamps exported by providers and not against |
| timestamps generated in the configuration. |
| |
| The `plantimestamp` function is not available within the Terraform console. |
| |
| ## Examples |
| |
| ``` |
| > plantimestamp() |
| 2018-05-13T07:44:12Z |
| ``` |
| |
| ```terraform |
| check "terraform_io_certificate" { |
| data "tls_certificate" "terraform_io" { |
| url = "https://www.terraform.io/" |
| } |
| |
| assert { |
| condition = timecmp(plantimestamp(), data.tls_certificate.terraform_io.certificates[0].not_after) < 0 |
| error_message = "terraform.io certificate has expired" |
| } |
| } |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Related Functions |
| |
| * [`timestamp`](/terraform/language/functions/timestamp) returns the current timestamp when it is evaluated |
| during the apply step. |