How to Install Ansible on Docker Container

Here is how to run Ansible inside a Docker container in 2026.

Quick Start

docker run --rm -v $(pwd):/ansible -w /ansible willhallonline/ansible:latest ansible-playbook playbook.yml -i inventory

Custom Dockerfile

FROM python:3.12-slim
RUN pip install --no-cache-dir ansible boto3 pywinrm && \
    ansible-galaxy collection install community.general community.docker
WORKDIR /ansible
ENTRYPOINT ["ansible-playbook"]

Build and Run

docker build -t ansible-runner .
docker run --rm -v $(pwd):/ansible -v ~/.ssh:/root/.ssh:ro ansible-runner playbook.yml -i inventory

Docker Compose

services:
  ansible:
    build: .
    volumes:
      - .:/ansible
      - ~/.ssh:/root/.ssh:ro
    environment:
      - ANSIBLE_HOST_KEY_CHECKING=False

Related Resources

• Ansible Cheat Sheet
• Docker Cheat Sheet