file

file module

Manage files, directories, and symbolic links. This module can create, remove, or modify the state and permissions of filesystem objects.

Examples

- name: Create a file
  file:
    path: /tmp/myfile.txt
    state: touch
    mode: '0644'

- name: Create a directory
  file:
    path: /opt/myapp
    state: directory
    mode: '0755'

- name: Create a symbolic link
  file:
    src: /etc/myapp/config.conf
    path: /tmp/config.link
    state: link

- name: Remove a file or directory
  file:
    path: /tmp/unwanted
    state: absent

Note: The 'touch' and 'file' states are equivalent and will create an empty file if it doesn't exist.

Module Capabilities

• Has Revert: true
• Provides Variables: None

Inputs

Parameter	Type	Description	Required	Default	Choices
mode	string	File permissions to set (e.g., '0644', '0755'). Not applicable to links.	false
path	string	Path to the file, directory, or link to manage.	true
src	string	Source path for symbolic links. Only used when state=link.	false
state	string	Desired state of the filesystem object.	false	file	file, touch, directory, link, absent

Outputs

No outputs.

Parameter aliases

• dest → path
• name → path