# Ansible

> Ansible is an agentless automation tool that configures servers and deploys applications over SSH using YAML playbooks.

- Source: https://www.itwonderlab.com/ansible/
- Published: 2026-09-08
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Author: Javier Ruiz Jiménez (https://www.javierruizjimenez.com/)
- Site: IT Wonder Lab (https://www.itwonderlab.com/)

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**Ansible** automates the configuration of servers, the deployment of applications and orchestration tasks. It connects over SSH, needs no agent on the managed hosts and describes the desired state in YAML **playbooks**.

### Key concepts

- **Inventory**: the hosts Ansible manages. See [dynamic inventory](https://www.itwonderlab.com/ansible-dynamic-inventory/).
- **Playbook**: the ordered tasks to run. See [playbook structure](https://www.itwonderlab.com/ansible-playbook-structure-best-practices/).
- **Role**: a reusable unit of tasks, templates and variables. See [roles best practices](https://www.itwonderlab.com/ansible-roles-best-practices/).
- **Idempotence**: running a playbook twice leaves the same result.

### Learn it

Read the [Ansible tutorials](https://www.itwonderlab.com/tutorials/ansible/). It pairs well with [Terraform](https://www.itwonderlab.com/terraform/), which creates the servers Ansible then configures.

Install it and write a playbook with [Install Ansible and Write Your First Playbook](https://www.itwonderlab.com/install-ansible-first-playbook/).