Last checked and updated on 30 May 2026
What Is New in Ansible 6
Ansible 6 delivers a solid set of core updates focused on stability and essential improvements. The release includes new collections, significant module enhancements, and key bug fixes that refine the overall user experience.
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| New Features | Introduction of new collections, new modules for cloud and infrastructure management. |
| Improvements | Core engine refinements, performance tweaks, and expanded module options. |
| Bug Fixes | Numerous fixes across core and collections resolving user-reported issues. |
| Deprecated Features | Older modules and features marked for removal in future releases. |
What are the major collection updates?
The core of this release is the refresh of all bundled collections to their latest stable versions. This means you immediately get access to the newest modules, bug fixes, and features from the entire Ansible ecosystem without manual upgrades.
In practice, this saves a ton of time. Instead of manually updating dozens of collections after a core upgrade, you get a coherent, tested set of the latest community content right out of the box.
Which modules got the most love?
Cloud and infrastructure modules saw significant enhancements. The community.general and ansible.utils collections, in particular, received a flood of new parameters, bug fixes, and new modules for managing modern platforms.
This matters because it directly expands what you can automate. You'll find more options for tuning your cloud deployments and network gear, making your playbooks more powerful and precise.
Is the core engine faster or more reliable?
Yes, numerous under-the-hood fixes target the core's reliability and error handling. The team squashed bugs related to variable precedence, plugin loading, and specific task execution scenarios that could cause hiccups.
These aren't flashy changes, but they make a real difference in day-to-day operation by making playbook runs more predictable and less prone to cryptic failures.
What should I watch out for when upgrading?
Always check the deprecated features list. Older, less efficient modules have been formally marked for removal. Your existing playbooks will still work for now, but you'll get warnings prompting you to migrate to the newer, recommended alternatives.
This is a good time to audit your playbooks. Running them with Ansible 6 will surface these deprecation warnings, giving you a clear checklist for future-proofing your automation.
FAQ
Does Ansible 6 require a full Python 3 upgrade?
Yes, Ansible 6 solidifies the move to Python 3. Support for Python 2 was dropped in earlier versions, so ensure your control node and managed nodes are running a supported Python 3 interpreter.
I use a lot of custom collections. Will they break?
Probably not. The core changes are largely backward-compatible. The main issue would be if a custom collection relied on a deprecated core feature that was finally removed. Testing in a staging environment is always advised.
What's the biggest reason to upgrade to Ansible 6?
The bundled collection updates are the main draw. You get a massive influx of new modules and bug fixes from the community without any extra work, instantly expanding your automation toolkit.
Are there any new modules for managing Kubernetes?
Yes, the community.kubernetes collection, which is bundled with Ansible 6, includes updates and new modules. Check its changelog for the specific new features added since the last core release.
How does this release affect Ansible Tower/AWX users?
You'll need to wait for the corresponding version of Tower/AWX that officially supports and bundles Ansible 6. Do not manually upgrade the core Ansible version on a Tower node outside of its official release process.