Answer Templates
Pre-fill the installer's questions for unattended installation: the client boots and installs fully automatically — no one standing at the screen clicking through the wizard.
Docs: Install Tasks | Netboot Catalog | Boot Menu Config
When to Use
- Mass installation without clicking through wizards → answer file + install task
- Install parameters (partitioning, timezone, repos, preseeded users) must be standardized → templates + variables
Entry: Basic Config → Answer Templates (/answer-templates).
Answer File Types
| Type | Distributions |
|---|---|
preseed | Debian / Ubuntu (legacy) |
subiquity | Ubuntu (new installer) |
kickstart | CentOS / RHEL / Fedora |
autoyast | openSUSE |
autounattend | Windows |
Task 1: Create a template
Click New: pick a preset template (out-of-the-box for common distros) or start blank; fill in name, type, and content.
Task 2: Use variables
Template content supports variable substitution (hostname, MAC, IP, and other runtime info), letting one template fit many machines. The variable list is shown in the create/edit form.
Task 3: Preview & validate
Use "Preview" before saving to render the final answer file (variables substituted); "Validate" checks syntax and format and points out errors — avoiding mid-install failures.
Task 4: Version management
Every edit saves a historical version with diff and rollback — same model as Profiles.
Combining with Install Tasks
When creating an Install Task, select this template — the install then runs unattended per the answer file.