To use the test.yml
file that comes with an Ansible role created using the ansible-galaxy
template, you'll generally follow these steps:
- The
test.yml
file in your Ansible role is typically a playbook designed to test the role. It should apply the role in a specific way to ensure it behaves as expected. - This testing can be done locally on your machine, in a CI/CD pipeline, or on a remote server, depending on your setup and requirements.
-
Ensure Ansible is Installed: Make sure Ansible is installed on the system where you're running the tests.
-
Dependency Installation: If your role has dependencies, ensure they are installed. This can involve other roles or system packages.
-
Configure Inventory: Make sure you have an inventory file (like
hosts
orinventory.yml
) configured with the appropriate hosts or localhost. For local tests, you can use localhost.
-
Navigate to the Test Directory: Go to the directory containing
test.yml
. -
Run the Playbook: Execute the playbook with the
ansible-playbook
command. For example:ansible-playbook -i /path/to/your/inventory test.yml
If testing locally, your inventory might just point to
localhost
, Go to repository root:ansible-playbook -i localhost, python-services/tests/test.yml
The trailing comma after
localhost
is important as it tells Ansible that this is a list of hosts.
- The
test.yml
playbook should execute the role in a controlled manner. - You should observe the output of the playbook execution to ensure that all tasks are completed successfully.
- If there are any errors or failures, the output will provide details that you can use to debug and fix the issues.
- Idempotency Check: A good practice is to run the playbook twice. A properly written Ansible role should be idempotent, meaning it can be applied multiple times without changing the result beyond the initial application.
- Different Environments: Consider testing your role in different environments (e.g., different operating systems or versions) if applicable.
- Automated Testing Tools: For more advanced testing, you might consider integrating tools like Molecule, which provides a framework for testing Ansible roles with support for multiple instances, sequence steps, linting, etc.
Testing your role is a crucial step in the development process to ensure that it works as intended and to catch any issues before the role is used in a production environment.