| name | packer-hcl |
| description | Packer HCL2 template authoring. Load when working with .pkr.hcl files. Covers template syntax (variable/locals/source/build blocks), HCL2 type system, provisioners, post-processors, and template organization patterns. |
| invocation_policy | automatic |
Packer HCL2 Template Authoring Skill
Packer HCL2 template skill: structured reference for authoring, organizing, and maintaining .pkr.hcl templates. Covers template syntax, the HCL2 type system, provisioner and post-processor configuration, and multi-source/build orchestration patterns.
Configuration
The Packer HCL skill directory is the directory containing this file. Feature files are in the features/ subdirectory.
Capabilities
Template Syntax & Structure
When authoring or reviewing .pkr.hcl templates, defining variables/locals/source/build blocks, or configuring HCL2 type constraints:
- Load
features/template-syntax.md for block structure, variable declarations, locals, source definitions, build orchestration, and HCL2 type system reference
Provisioners & Post-Processors
When configuring provisioner blocks (shell, file, ansible, chef, puppet, powershell, windows-restart, custom), post-processor pipelines (docker-tag, docker-push, manifest, vagrant, compress, shell-local, artifacts), or debug workflows:
- Load
features/provisioners-post-processors.md for provisioner reference, post-processor pipelines, ordering, retry strategy, and error handling
Cross-Referencing
When a task spans multiple domains, load the primary feature first, then additional features as needed. Features reference each other for cross-cutting topics.
- packer-vm-baking — Use when building and customizing VM images with Packer, covering OS install, hardening, pre-installed tooling, and golden image lifecycle
- packer-infra — Use when integrating Packer builds into infrastructure pipelines, covering CI/CD, artifact management, image registry workflows, and multi-region deployment
- go — Use when developing custom Packer plugins, provisioners, post-processors, or data sources in Go
