Ansible Cheat Sheet: CLI Commands and Basics

Ansible is a powerful automation tool for managing tasks like configuration management, application deployment, and system orchestration across various environments. It works without the need for agents and connects using SSH, making it easy to set up and operate. With Ansible, you can automate repetitive tasks across multiple systems using playbooks written in YAML. Key components of Ansible include playbooks, modules, inventory, variables, facts, handlers, roles, and vault. Ad-hoc commands allow users to execute specific information about their hosts. Performing file operations on hosts with Ansible can be done using copy, fetch, and file modules. Managing users and groups is possible through the user module. Installing applications to hosts can be achieved using apt or yum modules. Managing services on hosts can be done using service and systemd modules. Rebooting and shutting down hosts are also possible with Ansible commands. Mounting disks operations can be performed using mount module. Using cron module allows users to manage Cron jobs. An inventory file lists hosts and groups of hosts in a specific format. Ansible primarily uses playbooks that are written in YAML. The ansible-playbook command is used to run playbooks against your hosts from the control node. Roles allow you to organize your playbooks into reusable components, either by creating custom roles or installing roles from the Ansible Galaxy community. Ansible Vault allows users to encrypt sensitive data such as passwords, private keys, and other confidential information that are used within playbooks and variables. Spacelift's ecosystem can assist in managing and orchestrating Ansible by providing better playbook automation, inventory observability, playbook run insights, policies, stack dependencies, self-service infrastructure, creature comforts, and drift detection and remediation.