Can I modify Ansible 'remote_tmp' on a per task basis?

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1

I am running some tasks with delegate_to. When those tasks run, they use the same remote_tmp directory setup from the ansible.cfg. However, due to permissions and directory size issues, I need to change the remote_tmp directory for tasks that I am using delegate_to for.

Example:

  • name: Create Temp Dir

delegate_to: localhost

file:

path: “{{ my_temp_dir }}”

state: directory

I am using Ansible 2.3.2.

2

If you are using a variable like “my_temp_dir”, then you can overwrite it before each task using something like:

  • set_fact:
    my_temp_dir: “new_value”

as a separated task.

However, if the variable is provided at runtime as an extra var, some additional considerations should be done regarding value precedence.

3

Roberto,

Sorry, I think worded this question wrong.
Ansible’s ‘remote_tmp’ directory that can be modified in the ‘ansible.cfg’
is what I need to be able to modify on a per task basis…preferable within the task file.

I know it can be set per host in the host file with Ansible versions >=2.4.
Right now, I have to work with Ansible 2.3.2. I can’t find a variable or an environment variable
to modify the ‘remote_tmp’ dir at a task level.

So I would want something like this - which I haven’t found a way in 2.3.2 yet:

  • name: Create Temp Dir

delegate_to: localhost

file:

path: “{{ my_temp_dir }}”

state: directory
vars:
remote_tmp: “{{ new_remote_tmp_dir }}”

Thanks again!

If you are using a variable like “my_temp_dir”, then you can overwrite it before each task using something like:

  • set_fact:
    my_temp_dir: “new_value”

as a separated task.

However, if the variable is provided at runtime as an extra var, some additional considerations should be done regarding value precedence.

4

You can, just need to set the var to ansible_remote_tmp, see the var entry for it https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/ansible/builtin/sh_shell.html#parameter-remote_tmp.