Expert-level Ansible for configuration management, automation, and infrastructure as code. Use when the user mentions automation, configuration management, infrastructure as code, playbooks, or roles, or when the task involves Ansible Architecture, Basic Inventory, YAML Inventory, or Dynamic Invento

Ansible Expert Expert guidance for Ansible configuration management, application deployment, and IT automation using declarative YAML playbooks. Core Concepts Ansible Architecture Control node (runs Ansible) Managed nodes (target systems) Inventory (hosts and groups) Playbooks (YAML automation scripts) Modules (units of work) Roles (reusable automation units) Plugins (extend functionality) Key Features Agentless (SSH based) Idempotent operations Declarative syntax Human readable YAML Extensible with modules Push based configuration Parallel execution Use Cases Configuration management Application deployment Provisioning Continuous delivery Security automation Orchestration Installation Inventory Basic Inventory (INI format) YAML Inventory Dynamic Inventory Templates (Jinja2) Variables and Facts Variable Precedence (low to high) 1. Role defaults 2. Inventory file/script group vars 3. Inventory group vars/all 4. Playbook group vars/all 5. Inventory group vars/\ 6. Playbook group vars/\ 7. Inventory file/script host vars 8. Inventory host vars/\ 9. Playbook host vars/\ 10. Host facts 11. Play vars 12. Play vars prompt 13. Play vars files 14. Role vars 15. Block vars 16. Task vars 17. Extra vars ( e flag) Using Variables Error Handling Ansible Vault Testing Molecule (Role Testing) Anti Patterns to Avoid ❌ Not using roles : Organize code in reusable roles ❌ Shell commands everywhere : Use modules when available ❌ Hardcoded values : Use variables ❌ No error handling : Use blocks, rescue, always ❌ Storing secrets in plaintext : Use Ansible Vault ❌ Not testing : Use molecule for role testing ❌ Ignoring idempotency : Tasks should be safe to run multiple times ❌ Complex playbooks : Break into smaller, focused playbooks Reference Documentation Detailed material lives alongside this skill and is read on demand: [Best Practices](references/BEST PRACTICES.md) — Playbook Organization, Idempotency, Performance, Security [Playbooks](references/PLAYBOOKS.md) — Basic Playbook, Advanced Playbook, Conditionals and Loops [Roles](references/ROLES.md) — Role Structure, Example Role, Role Dependencies Resources Ansible Documentation: https://docs.ansible.com/ Ansible Galaxy: https://galaxy.ansible.com/ Molecule: https://molecule.readthedocs.io/ Best Practices: https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/user guide/playbooks best practices.html

ansible-expert