How to get ansible to update PATH

Question

Is there a way to do:

export PATH=$PATH:/new/path/to/bin

in Ansible, if possible without using shell or command.

I've tried this

 - name: Add another bin dir to system-wide $PATH.
  copy:
    dest: /etc/profile.d/custom-path.sh
    content: 'PATH=$PATH:{{ my_custom_path_var }}'

But it doesn't work as PATH results in:

\$PATH:/new/path/to/bin

breaking the system's PATH.

Your `PATH` probably doesn't need to be `export`:ed again; the system already does that, and then it will stay exported. See also https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1158091/defining-a-variable-with-or-without-export — tripleee, Aug 17 '23 at 06:50

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 23 '18 at 23:09

1

Using shell or command would be:

  - name: Add pm2 to PATH
    shell: echo "PATH=$PATH:/new/path/to/bin" > /etc/environment
    become: true

But I'd still prefer an option that doesn't use shell/command.

answered Oct 23 '18 at 23:09

jmartori

variable expansion doesn't work in /etc/environment, this would break your setup – Arno Jul 24 '19 at 09:44

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 04 '20 at 09:58

0

Solution without using shell module instead of

    content: 'PATH=$PATH:{{ my_custom_path_var }}'

Use

    content: 'export PATH=$PATH:{{ my_custom_path_var }}'

answered Jun 04 '20 at 09:58

Farfax

2 Answers2