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How Ansible evaluates a conditional
A task with a when clause is still part of the play for every target host. Ansible renders the expression in that host’s variable context, converts the result to true or false, and then either runs the task or records it as skipped. A condition therefore controls execution; it does not remove the task from the playbook.
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The normal inputs are gathered facts, ordinary variables, and values registered by previous tasks. Evaluation happens at the point where the task is reached, so a variable changed earlier in the play can alter a later decision. A condition has no effect until its referenced data exists and can be evaluated.
The expression is not wrapped in Jinja delimiters
when, failed_when, and changed_when are already templated by Ansible. Write the expression directly:
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- name: Install a Debian-family package
ansible.builtin.package:
name: nginx
state: present
when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"Do not write when: {{ ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian" }}. The extra delimiters can produce warnings or parsing errors because Ansible is expecting an expression, not a complete template.
Basic when patterns
Run a task on one platform
Facts such as ansible_facts['os_family'], ansible_facts['distribution'], and ansible_facts['distribution_major_version'] are common selectors. The following task runs on Debian-family systems and is skipped on other operating systems:
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ansible.builtin.package:
name: nginx
state: present
when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"Use the family fact when Debian derivatives should share the same path. Use the distribution fact when behavior is specific to one distribution. Check the actual values on your managed hosts instead of assuming that every system exposes the same facts.
Require several conditions
A YAML list is the clearest way to express multiple requirements. List entries have implicit and semantics, so every entry must be true:
- name: Enable a service only on a supported Debian release
ansible.builtin.service:
name: nginx
state: started
when:
- ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"
- ansible_facts['distribution_major_version'] | int >= 12
- nginx_enabled | default(false) | boolFacts that look numeric are often strings. Cast them with | int or | float before comparing. Without a cast, a lexical string comparison can give a result that does not represent the version number.
Use explicit grouping for mixed logic
Use parentheses with and and or when the decision has alternatives. For example, this permits either Debian 12 or Red Hat 9:
- name: Configure a supported server release
ansible.builtin.template:
src: server.conf.j2
dest: /etc/myapp/server.conf
when: >
(ansible_facts['distribution'] == "Debian" and
ansible_facts['distribution_major_version'] | int == 12) or
(ansible_facts['distribution'] == "RedHat" and
ansible_facts['distribution_major_version'] | int == 9)For long expressions, consider setting a clearly named intermediate variable instead of embedding many platform checks in every task.
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Facts and variables as condition inputs
Verify that a fact exists
Ansible facts are host attributes collected during fact gathering. Their availability depends on the target platform and on whether gathering was enabled. A task that references a missing key can fail while evaluating the condition rather than simply being skipped.
Inspect the complete fact set with:
- name: Inspect gathered facts
ansible.builtin.debug:
var: ansible_factsFor a narrower check, print a specific value:
- name: Show the operating-system family
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "{{ ansible_facts['os_family'] | default('unknown') }}"The default filter is useful when a value is optional, but it should not hide a fact that your playbook genuinely requires. If a platform must provide a particular fact, fail early with a clear assertion or separate platform-specific task file.
Be careful with time facts
ansible_date_time is captured when facts are gathered and may become stale during a long-running play. It is suitable for decisions based on the collection time, not necessarily for the current clock at a later task. If timing matters, obtain a fresh value at the point of use rather than treating the original fact as continuously updated.
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Create an intermediate value with set_fact
When several tasks need the same normalized decision, calculate it once:
- name: Classify the host temperature
ansible.builtin.set_fact:
temperature_celsius: "{{ sensor_output.stdout | float }}"
- name: Stop the service when the temperature is unsafe
ansible.builtin.service:
name: myapp
state: stopped
when: temperature_celsius | float > 90Intermediate names make later conditions easier to read and provide one place to normalize strings, numbers, or defaults. Keep platform-specific variables, templates, and task files separate when that is clearer than adding deeply nested expressions.
Use registered results in later conditions
Register the result and test its fields
register stores a task result in a host-level variable for the current playbook run. Common fields include stdout, stdout_lines, rc, failed, changed, and skipped.
- name: Check whether a marker exists
ansible.builtin.command: test -f /etc/myapp/marker
register: marker_check
failed_when: false
- name: Rebuild only when the marker is absent
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/rebuild-myapp
when: marker_check.rc != 0The first task deliberately converts the expected nonzero return code into usable data instead of allowing the play to stop. The second task interprets that return code. If a command can fail in a way that you intend to handle later, use ignore_errors: true or an appropriate failed_when expression so execution reaches the conditional task.
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Use result tests instead of inspecting every field
Ansible provides tests for common states:
- name: Run an optional migration
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/migrate
register: migration
failed_when: false
- name: Report a failed migration
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: Migration requires attention
when: migration is failed
- name: Continue only after a successful migration
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: Migration completed
when: migration is succeededYou can also test is skipped and is changed. These tests are generally easier to read than repeating the result object’s internal Boolean fields.
Registered variables are temporary
A registered value exists in memory for the current run and is associated with each host. It is not a persistent cache for a future playbook invocation. If a later run needs the value, store it deliberately using a fact cache or another persistent mechanism rather than relying on register.
Conditionals with loops
Each item is evaluated separately
When a task has both a loop and a when, Ansible evaluates the condition for every item. Some iterations can run while others are skipped:
- name: Print only unprivileged ports
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "{{ item }}"
loop: [80, 8080, 8443]
when: item > 1024The task runs for 8080 and 8443, while the 80 iteration is skipped. A skipped item does not prevent eligible items from executing.
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If the loop source may be undefined, provide an empty default list:
- name: Configure requested listeners
ansible.builtin.template:
src: listener.conf.j2
dest: "/etc/myapp/listeners/{{ item }}.conf"
loop: "{{ listener_ports | default([]) }}"For dictionary data, default to an empty mapping and test the value you need:
- name: Enable configured features
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "Enabling {{ item.key }}={{ item.value }}"
loop: "{{ features | default({}) | dict2items }}"
when: item.value | boolUnderstand registered loop results
Registering a looped task produces a result object with a results list. Each element contains the response for one item, including the item value and that iteration’s return code, output, or skipped state.
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- name: Check each configuration file
ansible.builtin.command: "test -f {{ item }}"
loop: "{{ config_files | default([]) }}"
register: config_checks
failed_when: false
- name: Display missing files
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "Missing: {{ item.item }}"
loop: "{{ config_checks.results | default([]) }}"
when: item.rc != 0When per-iteration logic refers to a previous result, account for the first iteration having no previous item. A safe default prevents an undefined-variable failure at the start of the loop.
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Static imports
A condition placed on a static import is applied to every task in the imported file. The imported tasks are expanded predictably, and the condition is inherited by each of them. This is useful when an entire, known set of tasks belongs to one platform or mode.
- name: Load Debian tasks
ansible.builtin.import_tasks: debian.yml
when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"Dynamic includes
A dynamic include is evaluated at runtime. The included file is selected when Ansible reaches the include, so variables can have changed since earlier tasks and undefined values may affect whether the file is loaded.
- name: Load optional hardening tasks
ansible.builtin.include_tasks: hardening.yml
when: hardening_enabled | default(false) | boolChoose an import when static expansion and predictable visibility are more important. Choose an include when the decision must occur dynamically or when the included task set depends on values discovered during the run.
Roles
Conditions can also be attached when a role is reused. Apply a role-level condition when every task in the role shares the same prerequisite. If only a few tasks are conditional, keeping the checks beside those tasks usually makes the role easier to understand.
Define failure and change deliberately
failed_when changes failure semantics
Modules normally decide success from their own return data. failed_when overrides that decision. This is valuable for commands whose nonzero codes have documented, acceptable meanings.
- name: Query application status
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/app status
register: app_status
failed_when: app_status.rc not in [0, 3]Here, return codes 0 and 3 are accepted; every other code fails the task. A list of multiple failed_when entries uses implicit and semantics, so all listed expressions must be true for the task to be marked failed. Use a single expression with explicit or when the failure rule is alternative rather than cumulative.
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changed_when controls idempotence reporting
Command and shell modules often report a change whenever they run, even when the underlying operation only queried state. Set changed_when: false for a read-only command, or derive the change state from its output:
- name: Query application status without reporting a change
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/app status
register: app_status
changed_when: false
failed_when: app_status.rc not in [0, 3]As with failed_when, list entries for changed_when are joined with implicit and. Explicitly define the state that matters to your play rather than allowing an exit code alone to imply that the system changed.
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Check mode and conditional branches
Run a simulation with:
ansible-playbook site.yml --checkCheck mode asks supported modules what they would change without modifying remote systems. Add diff mode when the module supports it and you need to inspect proposed file changes.
A task can override the play’s mode:
- name: Gather a value required for planning
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/read-state
check_mode: false
register: live_state
- name: Show the planned result
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "Current state: {{ live_state.stdout }}"
check_mode: truecheck_mode: true forces simulation for that task; check_mode: false forces normal execution even when the playbook was launched with --check. Use the latter cautiously because it performs a real remote action during an otherwise simulated run.
A pure check-mode run cannot provide ordinary registered output from tasks that are skipped or not executed by the module. Consequently, a later condition that depends on a prior registered result may have no useful data in simulation. Test those branches in a controlled environment, or make the data-gathering task explicitly run when that is safe.
A decision guide for choosing a conditional pattern
| Pattern | Decision data | Evaluation scope | Best fit | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Single when |
Fact or variable | Once per host | Platform or feature gate | The referenced value must exist |
List of when entries |
Several facts or variables | Once per host | Independent requirements joined by and |
Use one expression when you need or grouping |
| Registered-result test | stdout, rc, or result status |
Once per host or per loop item | Reacting to an earlier command or module | The producer may be skipped in check mode |
Loop plus when |
Current item |
Once per item | Filtering a list or mapping | Default undefined loop sources |
| Static import condition | Facts or variables at expansion | Every imported task | Predictable platform-specific task sets | The condition propagates through the imported file |
| Dynamic include condition | Values available at runtime | When the include is reached | Decisions that depend on earlier changes | Undefined or changed variables affect loading |
failed_when or changed_when |
Task result fields | On the producing task | Custom command status and idempotence | List entries use implicit and |
Debug skipped or unexpected conditionals
- Confirm the data. Use
ansible.builtin.debug: var=ansible_factsfor facts or print a targeted variable with a default. Check spelling, capitalization, and the host on which the value is being evaluated. - Remove template delimiters. In
when,failed_when, andchanged_when, write the raw expression rather than wrapping it in{{ }}. - Cast before comparing. Apply
| intto version-like strings and| floatto measurements such as temperatures. - Inspect registered fields. Print the result and look at
stdout,stdout_lines,rc,failed,skipped, andchanged. For loops, inspect theresultslist. - Make optional collections safe. Use
default([])for lists anddefault({})for mappings before looping. - Check execution mode. Run with
--checkto see what supported modules would do, but remember that a branch depending on a registered result may lack that result because its producer did not execute. - Separate platform logic when needed. If a task becomes a maze of nested expressions, move operating-system-specific variables, templates, or task files into clearly named imports or includes.
Complete example combining facts, results, loops, and status rules
---
- name: Configure the application
hosts: app
gather_facts: true
tasks:
- name: Install the package on Debian-family hosts
ansible.builtin.package:
name: myapp
state: present
when: ansible_facts['os_family'] == "Debian"
- name: Check for the application marker
ansible.builtin.command: test -f /etc/myapp/marker
register: marker_check
failed_when: false
changed_when: false
- name: Rebuild when the marker is absent
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/rebuild-myapp
when: marker_check.rc != 0
- name: Configure enabled listener ports
ansible.builtin.template:
src: listener.conf.j2
dest: "/etc/myapp/listener-{{ item }}.conf"
loop: "{{ listener_ports | default([]) }}"
when:
- item | int > 1024
- ansible_facts['os_family'] in ["Debian", "RedHat"]
- name: Query application status
ansible.builtin.command: /usr/local/bin/app status
register: app_status
changed_when: false
failed_when: app_status.rc not in [0, 3]
- name: Report a stopped but valid application
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: Application is installed but stopped
when: app_status.rc == 3This play uses a fact to select a platform, a registered return code to decide whether to rebuild, a per-item loop condition to filter ports, and explicit failure and change rules for a status command. Each decision is located next to the task whose behavior it controls.
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