Ansible in a Minute · Ansible Core ·
Use loop over inventory hosts
Short answer
Use loop with groups['all'] or ansible_play_batch so one task iterates inventory hostnames.
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print every hostname in groups all with loop
Example
A quick heads-up: Every environment is different. Review and test this example before you run it on systems you care about.
---
- name: Show all hosts in the inventory
hosts: all
gather_facts: false
tasks:
- name: Show all the hosts in the inventory
ansible.builtin.debug:
msg: "{{ item }}"
loop: "{{ groups['all'] }}"How it works
The play already targets hosts. Use loop with groups['all'] when one task must walk inventory names. Use ansible_play_batch for hosts in the current play batch only.
When to use it
- Building a list of peer hostnames from inventory
- Running one task against a host pattern that is not the play target
Requirements
- Ansible: >=2.14
Validation
- Syntax validated
- Not execution-tested
- Last verified 2026-09-22
Notes
This task runs on every play host and loops the inventory each time unless you add run_once. Use loop: "{{ ansible_play_batch }}" for the current batch. Use query('inventory_hostnames', 'all:!www') when you need a host pattern.
Reference
- Looping over inventory (Ansible docs)
Built for every Ansible use case in every organization
BacklogZero can generate this kind of automation in your environment, just like it did here.