What Is New in Ansible 12.0
Ansible 12.0 ships with ansible-core 2.19 and introduces support for Python 3.13 on the controller. It adds several new collections, removes a few, and includes hundreds of module updates across cloud, networking, virtualization, and general purpose collections.
| Category | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| ansible-core | Python 3.13 support added, Python 3.10 dropped on controller, various performance and stability fixes. |
| Added Collections | community.sap_libs (1.0.0), dellemc.powerstore (3.0.0), ibm.storage_virtualize (2.0.0), purestorage.fusion (1.0.0), and others. |
| Removed Collections | community.fortios (moved to fortinet.fortios), community.skydive, community.sap (split into community.sap_libs). |
| New Modules / Plugins | Numerous new modules in community.general, community.vmware, amazon.aws, cisco collections, fortinet, and dellemc.openmanage. |
| Improvements | Enhanced inventory plugins, better error messages in many modules, improved support for newer OS versions and cloud APIs. |
| Deprecations | Several module aliases and old parameters across community collections, preparation for future Python and collection cleanups. |
Python 3.13 support arrives in Ansible 12.0
Ansible 12.0 adds official support for Python 3.13 on the control node while dropping Python 3.10 support for the controller.
This keeps Ansible aligned with the latest Python releases and allows users to take advantage of performance improvements in the new interpreter.
In practice, upgrading your control node Python is recommended if you want to use the latest features.
Collection additions and removals
New collections included in Ansible 12.0 are community.sap_libs, dellemc.powerstore, ibm.storage_virtualize, and purestorage.fusion.
community.fortios has been removed in favor of the official fortinet.fortios collection, and community.skydive is no longer bundled.
These changes keep the default Ansible package focused on actively maintained collections.
community.general continues to grow
community.general receives many new modules and improvements, including better support for modern Linux distributions, package managers, and system utilities.
Several older modules have parameter updates and deprecations to simplify usage and improve consistency.
This collection remains one of the most active and widely used in the Ansible ecosystem.
Cloud and storage collections see major updates
amazon.aws and community.aws include new modules and fixes for the latest AWS services and API changes.
dellemc.openmanage adds support for newer iDRAC and PowerEdge features.
purestorage and ibm.storage_virtualize collections bring fresh modules for their respective storage platforms.
Networking and virtualization improvements
Cisco, Juniper, and Arista collections receive updates for newer device OS versions and configuration options.
community.vmware adds new modules and improves existing ones for vSphere management.
These updates help keep playbooks working smoothly with the latest hardware and software releases.
General stability and usability enhancements
Ansible 12.0 includes better error reporting in many modules, improved inventory plugins, and various bug fixes across the bundled collections.
Deprecated features from previous releases have been cleaned up where possible.
Overall, this release focuses on keeping Ansible reliable and ready for modern infrastructure automation.
FAQ
Do I need to upgrade Python for Ansible 12.0?
Yes on the control node if you are still using Python 3.10. Python 3.13 is now supported, while Python 3.10 support has been dropped for the controller.
What happened to the fortios collection?
community.fortios has been removed. Use the official fortinet.fortios collection instead, which is actively maintained by Fortinet.
Are there breaking changes in Ansible 12.0?
No major breaking changes in core behavior. Most changes are collection updates, deprecations, and Python version adjustments.
Can I still use removed collections?
Yes. Removed collections like community.skydive can still be installed manually with ansible-galaxy if you need them.
What is the biggest benefit of upgrading to Ansible 12.0?
Better support for newer Python versions, updated modules for current cloud/storage/networking platforms, and improved stability across the entire package.