In the world of DevOps and Infrastructure-as-Code, interface wars are real.
Some teams swear by config files. Others love the speed of the CLI. And some embrace intuitive web UIs that streamline tasks across the board. But the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all interface for managing infrastructure. The best choice often depends on context: who’s using it, what they’re doing, and how fast they need to move.
This post dives into the strengths, trade-offs, and ideal scenarios for each mode of interaction—UI, CLI, and config files—and explores how modern platforms like Revolte let you combine them intelligently.
Why Interface Choice Matters in IaC
Infrastructure-as-Code brought incredible gains in automation, repeatability, and control. But it also introduced new friction points, especially when teams are forced to conform to a single interface. Developers want speed. SREs want precision. Product teams need visibility. Forcing them all to edit YAML is a recipe for resistance.
Choosing the right interface isn’t just a UX issue—it shapes velocity, compliance, and developer happiness. A good infrastructure platform doesn’t force one approach. It adapts to your team’s working style and context.
The Case for Config Files: Reusability, Versioning, and Scale
Config files are the traditional backbone of IaC. Storing infrastructure definitions as code enables Git-based version control, change tracking, and reusability across environments.
This approach shines when:
- You need precise, declarative control over environments
- You’re building reusable templates across staging and prod
- You want clear audit trails and peer review via Git
But config-first workflows come with caveats. YAML fatigue is real. Config sprawl happens fast. And onboarding new engineers into a sprawling config landscape can be painful.
Revolte Tip: Revolte supports lightweight declarative configs for defining services, but without the verbose boilerplate. Built-in policies and smart defaults reduce the mental load of writing (and reading) infrastructure code.
The Case for CLI: Speed, Automation, and Dev Power
The command line is still where power users thrive. Whether it’s scripting deployments, inspecting environments, or automating common tasks, CLI workflows are fast, scriptable, and flexible.
CLI-first makes sense when:
- You’re automating repetitive tasks or testing quickly
- Your team prefers terminal workflows
- You need infra-as-code integration within a CI pipeline or script
The downside? Discoverability and visibility. CLIs are great for individual velocity, but poor for team-wide understanding or auditability.
Revolte Tip: Revolte’s CLI is designed for production environments and advanced workflows. It enables instant deployment, rollback, and visibility—with context-aware suggestions and error surfacing.
The Case for UI: Accessibility, Visibility, and Collaboration
Web-based UIs often get dismissed by purists, but they’re indispensable for:
- Cross-functional collaboration (PMs, QA, security leads)
- Reviewing environments and deployment status at a glance
- Launching and managing infrastructure without a deep learning curve
UIs also shine for ephemeral workloads, like spinning up preview environments or testing sandbox deployments. They reduce errors by guiding users through validated inputs and guardrails.
Revolte Tip: Revolte’s UI is more than a dashboard. It’s an action surface that lets non-specialists provision infrastructure with confidence. With guardrails baked in, even citizen developers can deploy safely.
Context Is King: Matching Interface to Task
There is no “right” interface—only the right interface for the moment. For example:
- Defining a new service? Use a config file for reuse and review.
- Rolling back a broken deploy? CLI for speed and automation.
- Previewing what’s running in staging? UI for visibility.
- Enforcing compliance on infra changes? Configs with PR automation.
A mature infra platform should meet users where they are, not force them into unnatural workflows.
How Revolte Unifies the UI, CLI, and Config Experience
Revolte embraces a hybrid model that empowers teams to use the best interface for the job—without compromising security, compliance, or reliability.
- Declarative Configs for repeatable, version-controlled definitions
- Powerful CLI for fast, programmatic operations and scripting
- No-Ops UI for safe access by less technical stakeholders
Each interface is deeply integrated. A deployment started in the UI can be rolled back via CLI. A config change triggers a preview in the dashboard. Policies and logs are consistent no matter how the change was made.
Bonus Feature: Revolte’s AI-powered PR automation reviews config changes for security, compliance, and cost implications—no matter how they were introduced. This brings safety and velocity together.
Conclusion: Use the Right Tool for the Right Layer
DevOps success isn’t about picking the “best” interface. It’s about choosing the one that fits your team’s needs in each moment. High-functioning teams need all three:
- Configs for auditability and scale
- CLI for speed and automation
- UI for accessibility and insight
Revolte gives you all three, fully connected and always in sync.
Ready to work faster, safer, and smarter across every infrastructure interface?
Explore Revolte or book a demo to see how your team can ship confidently—no matter where they work from.