Location of .ansible-navigator.yml

[DeepakRamanath]

Hi All,

I'm currently in Chapter 2.5 and so far in all the labs I have see that .ansible-navigator.yml file's location is home directory. Any particular reason? Why can't this be along side ansible.cfg in the same directory?

[Trevor · Accepted solution]

It's this kind of curiosity that will serve to advance your
knowledge beyond the norm!

The default location of the ansible.cfg file is /etc/ansible/.  
If this is where you want ansible to look for the .ansible-navigator.yml
file - no problem!!!   You are in complete and total control of where
Ansible looks for this file with the use of the following environment variable:

ANSIBLE_NAVIGATOR_CONFIG

I won't spoil your learning fun by providing you with the
information to populate this variable.  You're on your way!!!

[Travis · Accepted solution]

@DeepakRamanath and @Trevor -

Trevor is correct on the default ansible.cfg file being in /etc/ansible, but that is part of Ansible core. This has no bearing on the new AAP and ansible-navigator command which uses and execution environment.

That being said, Trevor pointed out some important things like the environment variable ANSIBLE_NAVIGATOR_CONFIG. However, the defaults for this command looks at the home directory, and just like the ansible command, it also places a higher precedence on the ansible-navigator.yml located in the current working directory. 

Initially, the DO374 course was the first course introducing AAP and the ansible-navigator command, so we started with the defaults and didn't talk about the configuration files (yet), but instead focused on how things worked and some "Best Practices" for Ansible development (git, directory structure, working with groups, and even a little bit of Ansible Automation Controller). In Chapter 4, we focus on both the ansible.cfg file configuration and ansible-navigator.yml configuration file and how it works as well as defining the order of precedence. The intent was to introduce things in small pieces to develop understanding and how to tweak settings and manage configuration after learning the basics.

[DeepakRamanath]

Thank you @Trevor and @Travis for your excellent responses. This will allow me to better understand.

[Trevor]

Thank you for the question Deepak.  Keep them coming!!!!

[Trevor]

My job, as the leadoff hitter is to get on base.  Your job Travis, batting cleanup, is to advance me on the base path.  As usual, you not only advanced around the diamond, but you got me across home plate!!!  You do know that the person batting cleanup is the more accomplished hitter, right

Thanks Travis for what you always do - elevate the discussion!!!