Create an Ansible Playbook to Install Git on managed host

Project Introduction:
In this project, I automated the installation of Git on a remote Managed Host using an Ansible Playbook executed from a Control Host. The objective was to demonstrate real-world configuration management by securely provisioning software across systems using Ansible’s agentless architecture.

After setting up passwordless sudo access for the ansible user on the managed host, I created a playbook (install_git.yml) that uses the aptmodule to install Git, ensuring the system cache is updated and the package is present.

This project highlights core automation principles including:

1. Playbook creation
2. Privilege escalation with become: yes
3. Secure SSH-based remote execution
4. Inventory group targeting with Ansible

The successful execution of this playbook marks a key milestone in simplifying repeatable tasks in server administration — a foundational DevOps skill.

Let's begin...

Requirement:
Ensure you have enabled passwordless sudo on the managed-host.

Run the command on the managed-host as the ansible user;

su - ansible
sudo visudo

Add the command below at the end of the file.

ansible ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL

Save (CTRL+S) and exit (CTRL+X).

Creating the First Ansible Playbook
On the control-host, as the ansible user, create the playbook file:
Run the command: vi install_git.yml. An editor will open. Paste the following instructions into it. Remember to set paste (ESC KEY, then colon(:). type set paste and enter) then right click to paste. You do set paste so your instructions are well aligned when you paste. Exit editor (esc:wq enter).

Run the command below to execute the Playbook:

ansible-playbook install_git.yml

Verify Git Installation on Work-station

Once the playbook runs successfully, In the** control-host*, **SSH* into the managed-host and check Git version:

ssh ansible@<managed-host ip>
git --version

You should see something like:
git version 2.43.0

Achievements: Installing Git Using Ansible Playbook

1. Granted passwordless sudo access to the ansible user on the Managed Host via visudo.

2. Created an Ansible playbook (install_git.yml) to automate Git installation.

3. Defined the target host group (web) in the playbook matching the inventory file.

4. Usedbecome: yes in the playbook to allow privilege escalation (sudo access).

5. Included an** apt module** task to:

• Update the package cache
• Ensure Git is installed and up-to-date.
  1. Executed the playbook using the ansible-playbook command from the Control Host.

1. Successfully connected to the Managed Host over SSH using the ansible user.

2. Verified the Git installation by running git --version on the Managed Host.