Ansible Automation Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Ansible Automation facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What language is the default in which Ansible playbooks are written? → YAML format
2. When using Ansible with 'serial' execution (rolling updates), when do handlers run? → At the end of each serial batch, not at the very end of the entire play
3. Within an Ansible Collection's directory structure, where should custom modules be placed? → plugins/modules/
4. Which command installs all roles and collections listed in a requirements.yml file? → ansible-galaxy install -r requirements.yml
5. What keyword is used in an inventory file to define variables that apply to all hosts in a group? → [groupname:vars]
6. Which command builds an Ansible Collection into a distributable .tar.gz archive? → ansible-galaxy collection build
7. What host pattern would you use to target all hosts in both 'webservers' and 'dbservers' groups? → webservers:dbservers
8. Which ansible.cfg setting disables SSH host key checking? → host_key_checking = False
9. In a YAML inventory file, how do you define a host with a variable? → hosts:\n server1:\n ansible_user: admin
10. Where must Ansible handlers be defined within a playbook? → In a 'handlers' section at the play level, separate from the 'tasks' section
11. How does a Ansible Automation professional communicate risks to stakeholders? → By presenting risks clearly with context, potential impacts, and recommended actions
12. What is an Ansible Collection? → A packaged bundle of roles, modules, plugins, and playbooks distributed as a single unit
13. How has digital technology transformed Ansible Automation practice? → It has enhanced data collection, analysis, communication, and operational efficiency
14. Which ansible-playbook flag runs only tasks that are tagged with a specific tag? → --tags
15. How can you notify multiple handlers from a single task in Ansible? → Use 'notify' as a list with multiple handler names
16. What is the importance of data security in Ansible Automation digital applications? → Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss is essential
17. Why is documentation important in Ansible Automation risk management? → It creates an audit trail, supports decision-making, and demonstrates due diligence
18. What is reflective practice in Ansible Automation professional development? → Systematically examining experiences to gain insight and improve future practice
19. What is the benefit of standardized digital reporting in Ansible Automation practice? → It ensures consistency, enables comparison, and facilitates regulatory compliance
20. What is the value of written documentation in Ansible Automation professional communication? → It creates permanent records, ensures clarity, and provides legal protection
21. Can a handler notify another handler in Ansible? → Yes, a handler can use 'notify' to trigger another handler
22. What is the most effective communication approach for Ansible Automation professionals? → Adapting communication style to the audience while maintaining accuracy and clarity
23. Which argument will you use in your Ansible playbook to define a variable? → -E
24. How do you reference a variable named 'app_port' inside a task's module arguments in an Ansible playbook? → {{ app_port }}
25. How do you register the output of a task into a variable in Ansible? → Use the 'register' keyword followed by the variable name
26. What is the purpose of 'failed_when' in a task? → Define a custom condition under which the task is considered failed
27. What does the Ansible playbook phrase "become: yes" mean? → It means that we would run all commands as root
28. Which INI-style inventory syntax correctly defines a group called 'webservers'? → [webservers]
29. How do you pass a variable to a role when including it in a playbook? → Under the role entry using 'vars:' or as key-value pairs inline
30. What is the benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration in Ansible Automation practice? → It brings diverse expertise and perspectives that improve outcomes and innovation