How to use Ansible Git Module for Version Control

For workflows to be consistent and effective in today’s fast-paced software development environment, automation and version control are essential. Configuration management, application deployment, and orchestration are all made easier with the popular open-source automation platform Ansible. Among its numerous strong modules is the git module, which incorporates consistently with Git, the broadly utilized disseminated version control system.

In this article, we will dive into the functionalities of the Ansible git module. To help you get started, we’ll go over important ideas, walk you through the module’s use in detail, and give you real-world examples. In addition, we will respond to frequently asked inquiries regarding potential difficulties and use cases, toward the finish of this aide, you’ll be prepared to use the Ansible git module in your automation work processes, improving both efficiency and dependability in your improvement activities.

• Ansible: Ansible is an open-source automation tool that makes task automation, application deployment, and configuration management simpler. It utilizes comprehensible YAML files to define automation processes, making it available and simple to learn.
• Git: Git is a distributed version control system intended to deal with everything from small to exceptionally large projects with speed and effectiveness. It allows various developers to work away at a project all the while without impeding each other’s work.
• Repository (Repo): A repository, frequently alluded to as a repo, is a capacity area for software packages. It is necessary for version control because it stores all of the files and the history of all changes. Platforms like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket can host a repository.
• Branch: A branch in Git addresses a free line of development. It allows you to diverge from the fundamental codebase to chip away at elements, fixes, or investigations without influencing the primary task. When the work on a branch is finished, it very well may be converged once again into the main branch.
• Clone: Cloning is the method involved with making a nearby duplicate of a far-off Git repository. When you are ready, you can work on the codebase offline and push changes back to the remote repository.
• Playbook: An Ansible playbook is a file that contains YAML-written tasks. These undertakings depict the means that Ansible should perform on the managed nodes, like installing packages, managing services, or cloning vaults.
• Task: An Ansible task is a single action that is defined in a playbook. Each undertaking regularly utilizes a particular Ansible module to play out an activity, like cloning a Git store, making a file, or restarting a help.
• Commit: A commit in Git is a depiction of changes made to the repository. Each commit has a unique identifier (hash) and contains details about the changes, such as when and by whom. Commits allows you to follow and deal with the historical backdrop of your task.

Step 1: Launch an instance

• Login to Amazon Console.
• Navigate to the EC2 Dashboard and Launch the EC2 instance.
• Here we are launching two EC2 Instances one for the machine node and another for the worker node.

• Now connect with terminal.

Step 2: Install Ansible and Git

• Now install ansible and git in our local machine by using following commands.

For Ansible Installation

sudo amazon-linux-extras ansible2

For Git Installation

sudo yum -y install git

Step 3: Define the Inventory File or Host file

• Now go to host file and provide host details.
• Default path for host file is.
• Now give worker node details like Ip address user name.

cd /etc/ansible
sudo vi hosts 

Step 4: Generate Personal Access Token in Github

• To clone private repository we need permission, for that purpose we are generating Personal Access Token
• Follow this to navigate and generate PAT
• Settings –> Developer Settings –> Generate New Token.

• Make sure to copy your personal access token now. You won’t be able to see it again!.

Step 5: Ansible Playbook to Clone a Private Repository Using PAT

• Now create ansible playbook by using following command.

sudo vi <filename.yml>

• Now define tasks in playbook, here is the script for playbook to clone private repository.

---
- name: Clone Private Git Repository Using PAT
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  vars:
    repo_url: https://github.com/yourusername/your-private-repo.git
    dest_dir: /path/to/clone/repo
    github_token: "your_github_pat"

  tasks:
    - name: Ensure git is installed
      yum:
        name: git
        state: present

    - name: Clone the private repository
      git:
        repo: "{{ repo_url }}"
        dest: "{{ dest_dir }}"
        version: master  # or any branch/tag you want to checkout
        force: yes
        accept_hostkey: yes
      environment:
        GIT_ASKPASS: /bin/echo
        GIT_USERNAME: "{{ github_token }}"
        GIT_PASSWORD: "{{ github_token }}"

Step 6: Run the Playbook

• Now run the playbook to execute tasks which is defined in host file.

ansible-playbook <playbookname.yml>

Step 7: Verify

• Now verify that git repo was cloned into destination path or not.
• Here we see that git repo was successfully cloned to destination path.

Using the Ansible git module for version control can fundamentally smooth out your turn of events and sending processes, this powerful integration allows you to automate the management of Git repositories, lessening manual mediation and ensuring consistency across your work processes

All through this article, we take care of the fundamental terminologies and gave an itemized, step by step manual for utilizing the Ansible git module. These instructions will help you make the most of Ansible and Git’s combined capabilities, from setting up your environment to cloning repositories and managing branches, in addition, we provided responses to frequently asked questions and practical examples to illustrate typical use cases and address potential difficulties.

You can increase productivity and dependability by incorporating the Ansible git module into your automation toolkit, allowing your team to focus on what matters most: developing software of high quality. Whether you’re dealing with a little task or dealing with a huge scope sending, the blend of Ansible and Git gives a vigorous solution for version control and automation.

What is the purpose of the Ansible git module in version control?

Automating cloning, updating, and branching in a Git repository is made possible by the Ansible git module. It makes version control in Ansible playbooks easier to do, making it easier to integrate with development and deployment workflows.

Can I use the Ansible git module to specify a specific branch to clone?

Yes, you can determine a particular branch to clone involving the version parameter in the git module. You can clone a specific branch rather than the default branch, usually master or main.

How would I deal with merge conflicts while updating a Git repository with Ansible?

On the off chance that union contentions happen during repository updates, Ansible will fail the task. You really want to manually determine the conflicts in the impacted files and commit the changes. Ensure appropriate treatment of contentions inside your automation work processes.

Might I use the Ansible git module to manage Git submodules?

Yes, you can manage Git submodules with the git module by indicating the recursive: yes parameter. This ensures that submodules are instated and updated alongside the main repository.

Using the Ansible git module, how do I clone a Git repository?

To clone a Git repository, you can involve the git module in an Ansible playbook. Determine the vault URL, objective registry, and alternatively, the ideal branch or resolve to clone.