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 is the effect of setting `strategy: free` in a play? → Each host executes tasks as fast as it can without waiting for others
6. What keyword is used in an inventory file to define variables that apply to all hosts in a group? → [groupname:vars]
7. Which command builds an Ansible Collection into a distributable .tar.gz archive? → ansible-galaxy collection build
8. What does `any_errors_fatal: true` do in a play? → Stops the entire play if any host fails
9. What host pattern would you use to target all hosts in both 'webservers' and 'dbservers' groups? → webservers:dbservers
10. Which ansible.cfg setting disables SSH host key checking? → host_key_checking = False
11. In a YAML inventory file, how do you define a host with a variable? → hosts:\n server1:\n ansible_user: admin
12. Where must Ansible handlers be defined within a playbook? → In a 'handlers' section at the play level, separate from the 'tasks' section
13. How does a Ansible Automation professional communicate risks to stakeholders? → By presenting risks clearly with context, potential impacts, and recommended actions
14. What is an Ansible Collection? → A packaged bundle of roles, modules, plugins, and playbooks distributed as a single unit
15. How has digital technology transformed Ansible Automation practice? → It has enhanced data collection, analysis, communication, and operational efficiency
16. Which ansible-playbook flag runs only tasks that are tagged with a specific tag? → --tags
17. Which keyword forces a task to run only once regardless of how many hosts are targeted? → run_once
18. Which statement about `pre_tasks` in a playbook is correct? → pre_tasks run before roles and tasks sections
19. How can you notify multiple handlers from a single task in Ansible? → Use 'notify' as a list with multiple handler names
20. What is the importance of data security in Ansible Automation digital applications? → Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss is essential
21. Why is documentation important in Ansible Automation risk management? → It creates an audit trail, supports decision-making, and demonstrates due diligence
22. What is reflective practice in Ansible Automation professional development? → Systematically examining experiences to gain insight and improve future practice
23. Which strategy best reduces the blast radius when a faulty playbook runs against a large inventory? → Using `serial` to limit hosts per batch
24. What is the benefit of standardized digital reporting in Ansible Automation practice? → It ensures consistency, enables comparison, and facilitates regulatory compliance
25. What is the value of written documentation in Ansible Automation professional communication? → It creates permanent records, ensures clarity, and provides legal protection
26. A DevOps team wants to communicate automation status to stakeholders who don't have AAP access. Which integration approach is most practical? → Configure AAP to post job results to a collaboration tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams
27. What is the professional approach to handling secrets in Ansible playbooks committed to version control? → Use Ansible Vault to encrypt sensitive files before committing
28. Can a handler notify another handler in Ansible? → Yes, a handler can use 'notify' to trigger another handler
29. What is the most effective communication approach for Ansible Automation professionals? → Adapting communication style to the audience while maintaining accuracy and clarity
30. Which argument will you use in your Ansible playbook to define a variable? → -E