VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
An administrator has created a policy file named 'app-policy.hcl'. Which command should they use to upload this policy to Vault?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the exact CLI syntax for Vault policy management, and the trap here is that candidates confuse the generic `vault write` API call with the dedicated `vault policy write` command, or they invent non-existent commands like `vault create policy` or `vault set policy`.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
vault policy write app-policy app-policy.hcl
The `vault policy write` command is the standard Vault CLI command to create or update a policy from a file. The syntax `vault policy write <name> <path>` reads the HCL or JSON policy definition from the specified file and writes it to Vault's policy storage.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
vault write sys/policy/app-policy @app-policy.hcl
Why it's wrong here
While this API call works, the CLI command is 'vault policy write'.
- ✗
vault create policy app-policy app-policy.hcl
Why it's wrong here
'vault create' is not a valid command.
- ✗
vault set policy app-policy app-policy.hcl
Why it's wrong here
'vault set' is not a valid command.
- ✓
vault policy write app-policy app-policy.hcl
Why this is correct
This is the correct CLI command to write a policy.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the VA-003 exam.