Debug a when condition before you skip a task

Short answer

Print the values in a when expression so you can see why Ansible skips a task.

Request

stat /etc/hosts then debug exists then when exists

Example

A quick heads-up: Every environment is different. Review and test this example before you run it on systems you care about.

---
- name: stat /etc/hosts then debug exists then when exists
  hosts: all
  gather_facts: true
  tasks:
    - name: Check if /etc/hosts exists
      ansible.builtin.stat:
        path: /etc/hosts
      register: hosts_stat

    - name: Debug if /etc/hosts exists
      ansible.builtin.debug:
        msg: "/etc/hosts exists"
      when: hosts_stat.stat.exists

    - name: Run task when /etc/hosts exists
      ansible.builtin.command:
        cmd: echo "Task executed because /etc/hosts exists"
      when: hosts_stat.stat.exists

How it works

Stat /etc/hosts, then debug when it exists, then run the command with the same when expression. A skipped task does not show the expression result. Print or debug the registered value first so you can see why Ansible skips later work.

When to use it

• Finding why a task is skipped
• Checking a registered result before you add when

Requirements

• Ansible: >=2.14

Validation

• Syntax validated
• Not execution-tested
• Last verified 2026-09-16