Ansible Modules: Complete List & Guide to Built-in Modules (2026)

Ansible Modules: Complete List & Guide to Built-in Modules (2026)

Ansible modules are the building blocks of automation. Each module performs a specific task — installing packages, copying files, managing services, or configuring cloud resources. This guide covers what modules are, how to use them, and the most important built-in modules organized by category.

See also: Ansible Modules List: 50 Most Used Modules Quick Reference

What Are Ansible Modules?

Modules are units of code that Ansible executes on remote hosts. Each module:

• Performs a single, specific task (install package, create user, copy file)
• Is idempotent — running it multiple times produces the same result
• Returns JSON with status, changes, and output
• Can be used in playbooks or ad-hoc commands

Using Modules

In Playbooks

- name: Install nginx
  ansible.builtin.apt:
    name: nginx
    state: present

- name: Start nginx service
  ansible.builtin.systemd:
    name: nginx
    state: started
    enabled: true

In Ad-Hoc Commands

ansible all -m ping
ansible webservers -m apt -a "name=nginx state=present" --become
ansible all -m shell -a "uptime"

FQCN vs Short Names

# Fully Qualified Collection Name (recommended)
- ansible.builtin.copy:
    src: file.txt
    dest: /tmp/file.txt

# Short name (works but less explicit)
- copy:
    src: file.txt
    dest: /tmp/file.txt

File Management Modules

- name: File management examples
  ansible.builtin.copy:
    src: nginx.conf
    dest: /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
    owner: root
    mode: '0644'
  notify: reload nginx

- ansible.builtin.file:
    path: /opt/app/logs
    state: directory
    mode: '0755'

- ansible.builtin.lineinfile:
    path: /etc/hosts
    line: "192.168.1.10 app.local"

See also: Ansible Documentation: Complete Reference & Quick Start Guide (2026)

Package Management Modules

- name: Install packages (Debian/Ubuntu)
  ansible.builtin.apt:
    name:
      - nginx
      - postgresql
      - python3-pip
    state: present
    update_cache: true

- name: Install packages (RHEL/CentOS)
  ansible.builtin.dnf:
    name:
      - httpd
      - mariadb-server
    state: present

- name: OS-agnostic package install
  ansible.builtin.package:
    name: git
    state: present

Service Management Modules

- ansible.builtin.systemd:
    name: nginx
    state: started
    enabled: true
    daemon_reload: true

- ansible.builtin.service_facts:
- ansible.builtin.debug:
    msg: "nginx is {{ ansible_facts.services['nginx.service'].state }}"

See also: Ansible Cheat Sheet: Quick Reference Commands & Syntax (2026)

Command Execution Modules

- ansible.builtin.command: hostname -f
  register: result
  changed_when: false

- ansible.builtin.shell: ps aux | grep nginx | wc -l
  changed_when: false

User and Group Modules

- ansible.builtin.user:
    name: deploy
    groups: [sudo, docker]
    shell: /bin/bash
    append: true

Networking and Cloud Modules

System Modules

Variable and Logic Modules

Task Flow Modules

Finding and Installing Modules

Search for Modules

# List all installed modules
ansible-doc -l

# Search modules by keyword
ansible-doc -l | grep -i docker

# Read module documentation
ansible-doc ansible.builtin.copy

# Show module examples
ansible-doc ansible.builtin.copy -s

Install Module Collections

ansible-galaxy collection install community.general
ansible-galaxy collection install amazon.aws
ansible-galaxy collection install community.docker

FAQ

What are the most used Ansible modules?

The most commonly used modules are: copy, template, file, apt/dnf, systemd/service, command/shell, user, debug, lineinfile, and get_url. These cover file management, package installation, service control, and system administration.

How many modules does Ansible have?

Ansible ships with thousands of modules across collections. The ansible.builtin collection includes ~70 core modules. The full Ansible package (with community.general etc.) provides 5,000+ modules covering cloud, network, security, and application platforms.

What is the difference between a module and a plugin in Ansible?

Modules execute tasks on remote hosts (install package, copy file). Plugins extend Ansible's core functionality on the control node — connection plugins, lookup plugins, filter plugins, callback plugins. Modules do the work; plugins modify how Ansible operates.

Should I use FQCN for module names?

Yes. Using Fully Qualified Collection Names (ansible.builtin.copy instead of copy) is recommended. It's explicit, avoids name conflicts between collections, and is required for modules outside ansible.builtin.

Conclusion

Ansible modules are the foundation of infrastructure automation. Start with the built-in modules for file management, packages, and services, then expand with collection modules for cloud, containers, and networking. Use ansible-doc to explore available modules and their parameters.

Related Articles

• Getting Started with Ansible
• Ansible Playbook: Complete Guide
• Ansible Galaxy: Install Collections & Roles
• Ansible Custom Modules: Write Your Own