# roles - apply variable values from /defaults/main.yml **URL:** \ **Category:** Ansible Project\ **Created:** [January 20, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/roles-apply-variable-values-from-defaults-main-yml/36228 "2022-01-20T16:15:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dulhaver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/dulhaver/32/1061_2.png) [@dulhaver](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dulhaver)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/roles-apply-variable-values-from-defaults-main-yml/36228/1 "2022-01-20T16:15:42Z")
using roles with this type of structure and face a problem with variable values apparently not being applied from the /defaults/main.yml role01 > \_\_/tasks > > > > \_\_main.yml > > \_\_/defaults > > \_\_main.yml As far my understanding goes the /tasks/main.yml should read the variables from /defaults/main.yml no matter what (without any vars\_files: declaration. Is that understanding correct? If not, how exactly do I have to reference the /defaults/main.yml ? ---
**Author:** ![vbotka](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/vbotka/32/359_2.png) [@vbotka](https://forum.ansible.com/u/vbotka)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/roles-apply-variable-values-from-defaults-main-yml/36228/2 "2022-01-20T16:39:23Z")
> As far my understanding goes the /tasks/main.yml should read the variables from /defaults/main.yml no matter what (without any vars\_files: declaration. Is that understanding correct? Yes. This is correct. For example > tree roles roles └── role01     ├── defaults     │ └── main.yml     └── tasks         └── main.yml 3 directories, 2 files > cat roles/role01/defaults/main.yml test\_var: Hello > cat roles/role01/tasks/main.yml - debug:     var: test\_var > cat playbook.yml - hosts: localhost   roles:     - role01 > ansible-playbook playbook.yml gives (abridged) TASK [role01 : debug] ---
**Author:** ![dulhaver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/dulhaver/32/1061_2.png) [@dulhaver](https://forum.ansible.com/u/dulhaver)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/roles-apply-variable-values-from-defaults-main-yml/36228/3 "2022-01-20T18:47:20Z")
so, that is a clear yes (and great little exercise) then. I'll have to figure out, why it does't work atm thx for sharing ---
**Author:** ![racke](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/ansible/user_avatar/forum.ansible.com/racke/32/4767_2.png) [@racke](https://forum.ansible.com/u/racke)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2022, 6:50am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/roles-apply-variable-values-from-defaults-main-yml/36228/4 "2022-01-21T06:50:39Z")
> so, that is a clear yes (and great little exercise) then. > I'll have to figure out, why it does't work atm > > thx for sharing Well to get help you need to elaborate on "why it does't work atm". The variables in defaults/main.yml do have very low priority BTW. Regards ``` Racke ```