How to use
- Copy the installation command and review the source package before installing it in your own agent environment.
- Check the source document for required tools, credentials and supported hosts.
- Describe your input and desired deliverable; review the output against the source material.
npx skills add https://github.com/hashicorp/agent-skills --skill push-to-registryBefore you start
- Installation does not include a model subscription, API allowance or permission to access your files.
- Repository stars and installation counts describe activity, not an independent quality or security test.
Original skill document
Rendered from the source repository. Headings, examples, code, tables, links, and referenced images are preserved.
Push to HCP Packer Registry
Configure Packer templates to push build metadata to HCP Packer registry.
Reference: HCP Packer Registry
Note: HCP Packer is free for basic use. Builds push metadata only (not actual images), adding minimal overhead (<1 minute).
Basic Registry Configuration
hcl
packer {
required_version = ">= 1.7.7"
}
variable "image_name" {
type = string
default = "web-server"
}
locals {
timestamp = regex_replace(timestamp(), "[- TZ:]", "")
}
source "amazon-ebs" "ubuntu" {
region = "us-west-2"
instance_type = "t3.micro"
source_ami_filter {
filters = {
name = "ubuntu/images/*ubuntu-jammy-22.04-amd64-server-*"
}
most_recent = true
owners = ["099720109477"]
}
ssh_username = "ubuntu"
ami_name = "${var.image_name}-${local.timestamp}"
}
build {
sources = ["source.amazon-ebs.ubuntu"]
hcp_packer_registry {
bucket_name = var.image_name
description = "Ubuntu 22.04 base image for web servers"
bucket_labels = {
"os" = "ubuntu"
"team" = "platform"
}
build_labels = {
"build-time" = local.timestamp
}
}
provisioner "shell" {
inline = [
"sudo apt-get update",
"sudo apt-get upgrade -y",
]
}
}Authentication
Set environment variables before building:
bash
export HCP_CLIENT_ID="your-service-principal-client-id"
export HCP_CLIENT_SECRET="your-service-principal-secret"
export HCP_ORGANIZATION_ID="your-org-id"
export HCP_PROJECT_ID="your-project-id"
packer build .Create HCP Service Principal
- Navigate to HCP → Access Control (IAM)
- Create Service Principal
- Grant "Contributor" role on project
- Generate client secret
- Save client ID and secret
Registry Configuration Options
bucket_name (required)
The image identifier. Must stay consistent across builds!
hcl
bucket_name = "web-server" # Keep this constantbucket_labels (optional)
Metadata at bucket level. Updates with each build.
hcl
bucket_labels = {
"os" = "ubuntu"
"team" = "platform"
"component" = "web"
}build_labels (optional)
Metadata for each iteration. Immutable after build completes.
hcl
build_labels = {
"build-time" = local.timestamp
"git-commit" = var.git_commit
}CI/CD Integration
GitHub Actions
yaml
name: Build and Push to HCP Packer
on:
push:
branches: [main]
env:
HCP_CLIENT_ID: ${{ secrets.HCP_CLIENT_ID }}
HCP_CLIENT_SECRET: ${{ secrets.HCP_CLIENT_SECRET }}
HCP_ORGANIZATION_ID: ${{ secrets.HCP_ORGANIZATION_ID }}
HCP_PROJECT_ID: ${{ secrets.HCP_PROJECT_ID }}
jobs:
build:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
- name: Build and push
run: |
packer init .
packer build \
-var "git_commit=${{ github.sha }}" \
.Querying in Terraform
hcl
data "hcp_packer_artifact" "ubuntu" {
bucket_name = "web-server"
channel_name = "production"
platform = "aws"
region = "us-west-2"
}
resource "aws_instance" "web" {
ami = data.hcp_packer_artifact.ubuntu.external_identifier
instance_type = "t3.micro"
tags = {
PackerBucket = data.hcp_packer_artifact.ubuntu.bucket_name
}
}Common Issues
Authentication Failed
- Verify HCPCLIENTID and HCPCLIENTSECRET
- Ensure service principal has Contributor role
- Check organization and project IDs
Bucket Name Mismatch
- Keep
bucket_nameconsistent across builds - Don't include timestamps in bucket_name
- Creates new bucket if name changes
Build Fails
- Packer fails immediately if can't push metadata
- Prevents drift between artifacts and registry
- Check network connectivity to HCP API
Best Practices
- Consistent bucket names - Never change for same image type
- Meaningful labels - Use for versions, teams, compliance
- CI/CD automation - Automate builds and registry pushes
- Immutable build labels - Put changing data (git SHA, date) in build_labels
