https://computingarts.com/tags/include_tasks/ Recent content in Include_tasks on Computing Arts Hugo -- 0.146.0 en-us Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://computingarts.com/posts/2026-04-15-ansible-include-tasks-variable-not-defined/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 https://computingarts.com/posts/2026-04-15-ansible-include-tasks-variable-not-defined/ <h1 id="why-ansible-include_tasks-variables-are-not-defined-in-the-parent-play">Why Ansible <code>include_tasks</code> Variables Are Not Defined in the Parent Play</h1> <p>You define a variable inside an <code>include_tasks</code> file. The task runs successfully. Then the very next task in your parent play fails with <code>variable is undefined</code>. What just happened?</p> <p>This is one of the most confusing Ansible behaviors, and it bites people repeatedly because it looks like a bug. It&rsquo;s not — it&rsquo;s a scoping decision — but understanding <em>why</em> it works this way helps you fix it fast.</p>