What is MIME type "text/x-hcl"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

text/x-hcl is the MIME type for files written in the HashiCorp Configuration Language.
It marks plain text files as configuration files used in infrastructure management and automation.
This language is popular with tools from HashiCorp. It is essential in creating and managing infrastructure definitions. Files written in this language can control cloud components and software setups.

Infrastructure as Code – Enables clear, text-based configuration for automating server and cloud setups.
Application Configuration – Simplifies defining settings for various software environments.
Tool Integration – Supports products like Terraform in orchestrating resource provisioning.

Files using this MIME type often have the configuration file formats indicated by the extensions TF and HCL.
Learn more about the language and its uses at HashiCorp and Terraform Docs.

Associated file extensions

.tf, .hcl

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: text/x-hcl

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/x-hcl">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/x-hcl');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.tf, .hcl

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.