Start with the AWS AMI tutorial, then use the Amazon plugin docs for source AMI filters, regions, credentials, tags, and launch settings.
Packer image resources for the build you are trying to finish
Choose your target and get the right guide fast: build an AWS AMI, create an Azure VM image, generate a Google Cloud Compute image, export or commit a Docker image, design a golden image pipeline, run Ansible provisioners, automate CI/CD, or fix a failed packer image build.
AWSBuild an EC2 AMI
AzureCreate a custom VM image
GCPBuild a Compute image
FixesSSH, WinRM, plugins, credentials
What packer image problem are you solving?
Most visitors are not reading for theory. They need a working template, a provider-specific tutorial, a pipeline pattern, or a fix for a broken build.
Use cloud provider guides for Azure managed images, Compute Gallery workflows, Google Compute images, IAM, Cloud Build, and image families.
Use HCP Packer resources for image metadata, version history, channels, revocation, parent images, child images, and Terraform references.
Use the Docker builder docs when the artifact should be exported, committed, tagged, or pushed as a container image.
Use provisioner resources when your image must install packages, run Ansible, execute shell or PowerShell, harden the OS, or add agents.
Use troubleshooting resources for SSH timeouts, WinRM failures, invalid HCL, missing plugins, AMI permissions, and cloud credential errors.
Packer image tutorials, templates, docs, and fixes
Filter by platform or problem. Each resource is chosen because it helps complete a real packer image task, not because it repeats a definition.
Showing all resourcesUse the filters when you already know the target platform.
No matching resourcesTry AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, golden image, Ansible, CI/CD, or troubleshooting.
Start here
Use these when you need the official entry point or the exact template syntax before choosing a cloud provider.
Start a packer image project
Use the official Packer hub when you need the current product entry point, install path, tutorial library, integrations, and HCP Packer links.
Open Packer hubWrite a packer image template
Use the documentation when you need HCL syntax, template blocks, builders, provisioners, variables, CLI commands, validation, and plugin setup.
Open official docsBuild cloud images
Pick this group when the output is an AWS AMI, Azure VM image, or Google Cloud Compute Engine image.
Build an AWS AMI with Packer
Use this tutorial to create an EC2 AMI from a source image, define the Amazon EBS builder, run provisioners, and produce a reusable AWS image.
Build AWS AMIConfigure the Amazon builder
Use the Amazon plugin docs for AMI filters, regions, instance settings, authentication, tags, sharing, and advanced AWS image build options.
Open Amazon pluginCreate an Azure VM image
Use this Microsoft guide to create credentials, define an Azure builder, install packages, deprovision the VM, and output a managed image.
Build Azure imageConfigure Azure image builds
Use the Azure integration docs when you need managed image settings, Compute Gallery-style workflows, authentication, and builder-specific options.
Open Azure integrationBuild a Google Cloud VM image
Use this Google Cloud guide to run Packer with Cloud Build, configure IAM, create a template, and produce a Compute Engine image.
Build GCP imageConfigure the Google Compute builder
Use the googlecompute builder docs for project IDs, source image families, zones, machine types, image names, and output image families.
Open GCP builderBuild Docker and golden images
Use this group for container image output, image registries, metadata, and production golden image pipelines.
Build or export a Docker image
Use the Docker builder docs when Packer should start a container, run provisioners, then export or commit the result as a container image.
Open Docker builderInstall the Docker plugin
Use this plugin page when you need installation, source settings, plugin versions, and the correct integration path for Docker-based builds.
Open Docker pluginTrack packer image versions
Use HCP Packer when your team needs image metadata, version history, channels, revocation, and Terraform references across cloud providers.
Start HCP PackerBuild a golden image pipeline
Use this tutorial for parent images, child application images, promotion workflows, HCP Packer metadata, and Terraform-based deployment.
Build golden pipelineAutomate, provision, and fix builds
Use this group when the problem is CI/CD, Ansible provisioning, CLI setup, or a failed packer image build.
Automate packer image builds
Use this GitHub Actions workflow when every image build should run in CI, publish metadata, and promote artifact versions automatically.
Automate with ActionsInstall Packer in GitHub Actions
Use setup-packer when your workflow needs the Packer CLI before running init, validate, build, or HCP Packer commands.
Open setup-packerRun Ansible inside a packer image
Use the Ansible provisioner docs when your build must apply playbooks, configure packages, harden the OS, or install agents before capture.
Open Ansible provisionerFix a failed packer image build
Use HashiCorp Discuss for real-world fixes around SSH timeouts, WinRM, plugin installation, invalid HCL, AMI permissions, and cloud credentials.
Open HashiCorp DiscussChoose the right packer image path in seconds
Match the output artifact to the resource. That is the fastest way to move from search query to working template.
If you need one working image
- Use AWS resources for EC2 AMIs.
- Use Azure resources for managed VM images.
- Use Google Cloud resources for Compute Engine images.
- Use Docker resources for exported or committed container images.
If you need a repeatable image program
- Use HCP Packer for metadata, channels, and version history.
- Use golden image tutorials for base image and application image workflows.
- Use CI/CD resources when builds should run on every change.
- Use troubleshooting resources when communicators, plugins, or credentials fail.
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These search phrases map to the resource categories above, so visitors can quickly find the best link for their exact packer image task.
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Packer image FAQ for builders
Short answers for users who need the correct tutorial, template, plugin docs, or troubleshooting page.
How do I build a packer image for AWS?
Start with the AWS AMI build tutorial. It covers a complete Amazon EBS builder example, source AMI selection, region, SSH user, and the build block for creating an EC2 image.
How do I build a packer image for Azure or Google Cloud?
Use the Azure VM image guide for managed images and Azure credentials. Use the Google Cloud guide when you want Packer plus Cloud Build to produce a Compute Engine image.
Can Packer build a Docker image?
Yes. Use the Docker builder when Packer should start a container, run provisioners, and then export or commit the result as a Docker image artifact.
What should I use when my packer image build fails?
Use official docs for template syntax and plugin configuration, then use HashiCorp Discuss for SSH timeouts, WinRM failures, cloud credential errors, plugin installation problems, and validation issues.