Different ways to execute Ansible tasks on the controller

locals.yml

- hosts: targets
  gather_facts: false
  vars:
    ansible_python_interpreter: python3
  tasks:
    - command: echo hello
      delegate_to: localhost

    - command: echo hello
      connection: local

    - local_action: command echo hello

TIL In addition to delegate_to and local_action there is also connection: local to execute Ansible playbook on the controller, rather than the usual targets. It comes with its own set of caveats and quirks https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/playbook_guide/playbooks_delegation.html#local-playbooks

$ ansible-playbook -i inventory.yml locals.yml

PLAY [targets] *************************************************************************************

TASK [command] *************************************************************************************
changed: [u2204 -> localhost]
changed: [debian12 -> localhost]

TASK [command] *************************************************************************************
changed: [u2204]
changed: [debian12]

TASK [command] *************************************************************************************
changed: [debian12 -> localhost]
changed: [u2204 -> localhost]

PLAY RECAP *****************************************************************************************
debian12     : ok=3    changed=3    unreachable=0    failed=0    skipped=0    rescued=0    ignored=0   
u2204        : ok=3    changed=3    unreachable=0    failed=0    skipped=0    rescued=0    ignored=0