How to load variables for a tagged role?

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1

I have a large role, which I will break down into separate roles eventually.

For the moment, I am trying to use tags to selectively run bits of it, tagged e.g. “server”, “portal” etc.

The role is called from this playbook:

2

Possibly bad form to reply to one’s own query, but I think I worked it out.

Rather than tag every task inside the role, I split the big role up into four. I removed ALL the tagging from inside the roles, and set up this little playbook:

3

Possibly bad form to reply to one's own query, but I think I worked it out.

It's not, it's encouraged when you have an answer.
People don't waste time answering and other might have the same question also get an answer, so it's a win win.

Rather than tag every task inside the role, I split the big role up into
four. I removed ALL the tagging from inside the roles, and set up this
little playbook:

---

- hosts: localhost
  connection: local
  gather_facts: false

  pre_tasks:
     - include_vars: blah_envs/{{env}}.yaml
       tags: always
     - include_vars: blah_envs/common.yaml
       tags: always

  roles:
     - { role: blah_server, tags: [ server ] }
     - { role: blah_portal, tags: [ portal ] }
     - { role: blah_alb, tags: [ alb ] }
     - { role: blah_asg, tags: [ asg ] }

... and now it all works as desired. The real breakthrough was figuring out
that include_vars is a task :slight_smile:

You can use vars_files insted for include_vars, then you don't need to tag them since they are always read.

  - hosts: localhost
    connection: local
    gather_facts: false
    vars_files:
      - blah_envs/{{env}}.yaml
      - blah_envs/common.yaml