run_list and env_run_list explanined in chef role

run-list
A run-list defines all of the information necessary for Chef to configure a node into the desired state. A run-list may include roles and/or recipes.

A run-list must be in one of the following formats: fully qualified, cookbook, or default. Both roles and recipes must be in quotes, for example:

[code]’role[NAME]’
‘recipe[COOKBOOK::RECIPE]’
‘recipe[COOKBOOK::RECIPE],COOKBOOK::RECIPE,role[NAME]'[/code]

env_run_list
When you specify the env_run_list in role and the chef-client will pick up the _default run-list if env_run_list[environment_name] is null or nonexistent. env_run_list is only for roles.The env run list is an override, so it totally replaces the default non-env run list if the env matches.

[code]{
“name”: “webserver”,
“default_attributes”: {
},
“json_class”: “Chef::Role”,
“env_run_lists”: {
“production”: [],
“preprod”: [],
“test”: [ “role[base]”, “recipe[apache]” “recipe[apache::copy_test_configs]” ],
“dev”: [ “role[base]”, “recipe[apache]”, “recipe[apache::copy_dev_configs]” ]
},
“run_list”: [ “role[base]”, “recipe[apache]” ],
“description”: “The webserver role”,
“chef_type”: “role”,
“override_attributes”: {
}
}[/code]

where:

• “webserver” is the name of the role
• “env_run_lists” is a hash of per-environment run-lists for production, preprod, test, and dev
• “production” and “preprod” use the default run-list because they do not have a per-environment run-list
• “run_list” defines the default run-list

Reference
https://docs.chef.io/run_lists.html
https://railsware.com/blog/2013/09/26/getting-started-with-chef-server-part-2/

Rajesh Kumar

I’m Rajesh Kumar, a DevOps, SRE, DevSecOps, Cloud, and Platform Engineering expert passionate about sharing practical knowledge, real-world experiences, and industry best practices. I have worked at Cotocus and regularly write about technology, travel, investing, health, product reviews, and digital marketing through my various platforms.

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