All courses
Resource hub
Featured resource
Tech Upskilling Playbook 2025
Tech Upskilling Playbook

Build future-ready tech teams and hit key business milestones with seven proven plays from industry leaders.

Learn more
Hamburger Icon
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Cloud
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Using HCL with Packer

While Packer was initially created to allow users to use JSON to describe their desired image builds, it now also supported HashiCorp Configuration Language 2, which has some additional benefits to JSON, such as breaking up our build into reusable files. In this lab, we'll explore creating a parallel Amazon and Docker image build using HCL building blocks.

Get started Contact sales
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 10, 2025

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Refactor the Sources

    1. Review the setup of the current build.
    2. Notice both builders and how they are set up.
    3. Let's now re-create the amazon-ebs build as our first source.
      • Be sure to update the access_key, secret_key, and subnet_id with the values provided on the lab page.
    4. Save and exit, and then do the same for Docker.
    5. Save and exit.

  2. Challenge

    Refactor the Builds

    1. Review the provisioners, noting how one uses the only option. This means we need to think about how we break up our build. Let's first create our production build.
    2. Add our dev build.
    3. Remove the last shell provisioner block and update the source.

  3. Challenge

    Test the Build

    1. Test the build.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
Author
Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
Ready to get started?
View individual plans View team plans