“ansible-doc” is a command-line tool that provides valuable information on the modules installed in Ansible libraries. It offers a convenient way to access documentation and details about various modules used in Ansible automation tasks. Additionally, ansible-doc also provides a concise listing of plugins along with their brief descriptions.
The primary purpose of ansible-doc is to assist Ansible users, system administrators, and automation engineers in understanding the available modules and plugins within Ansible. This tool proves particularly useful when users need to explore the functionality and usage of specific modules or when they want to discover new modules and plugins to enhance their automation workflows.
Here are the key features and benefits of ansible-doc:
- Module Documentation: ansible-doc enables users to retrieve comprehensive documentation for modules installed in Ansible libraries. Users can access details about module parameters, usage examples, and other important information necessary for efficient automation.
- Module Search: With ansible-doc, users can search for specific modules by name, making it easier to find the relevant module documentation quickly. This feature saves time and helps users locate the necessary information efficiently.
- Plugin Listing: ansible-doc provides a terse listing of plugins available in Ansible. Users can see the names of the plugins along with short descriptions, giving them a high-level overview of the available plugins and their potential uses.
- Enhanced Understanding: By using ansible-doc, users can gain a better understanding of the capabilities and functionalities provided by Ansible modules and plugins. This knowledge helps users make informed decisions when designing and implementing automation tasks.
- Efficient Automation Development: ansible-doc supports efficient automation development by offering quick access to documentation. Users can easily refer to module details and usage examples, enabling them to write accurate and effective Ansible playbooks and roles.
- Streamlined Troubleshooting: ansible-doc aids in troubleshooting by providing detailed information about module parameters and behavior. Users can refer to the documentation to understand how modules should be configured and used, ensuring smooth execution of automation tasks.
- Comprehensive Coverage: ansible-doc covers a wide range of modules and plugins available in Ansible, including modules for system administration, network management, cloud infrastructure, and more. This broad coverage ensures that users have access to documentation for various use cases.
By utilizing ansible-doc, users can harness the power of Ansible’s extensive library of modules and plugins more effectively. They can explore module documentation, search for specific modules, and obtain a concise listing of available plugins. This tool empowers users to enhance their automation workflows, troubleshoot issues efficiently, and develop robust Ansible playbooks and roles.
ansible-doc Command Examples
1. List available action plugins (modules):
# ansible-doc --list
2. List available plugins of a specific type:
# ansible-doc --type plugin_type --list
3. Show information about a specific action plugin (module):
# ansible-doc plugin_name
4. Show information about a plugin with a specific type:
# ansible-doc --type plugin_type plugin_name
5. Show the playbook snippet for action plugin (modules):
# ansible-doc --snippet plugin_name
6. Show information about an action plugin (module) as JSON:
# ansible-doc --json plugin_name
Summary
In summary, ansible-doc is a command-line tool that provides module documentation for Ansible libraries. It offers detailed information on modules, allows module search by name, and provides a brief listing of available plugins. ansible-doc assists users in understanding module functionalities, troubleshooting automation tasks, and developing efficient Ansible playbooks and roles.