Ansible Without Python

A single Go binary that runs your Ansible playbooks. No Python runtime, no pip dependencies, no remote agent requirements.

Why Parallax?

Everything you love about Ansible, reimagined as a single compiled binary.

Single Binary

One executable. No runtime dependencies. Download and run.

No Python

No Python on controller or targets. No pip, no virtualenvs.

134 Modules

Built-in modules across builtin, posix, and community.general collections.

Drop-in Replacement

Same playbooks, same inventory, same vault. Most playbooks run unchanged.

Built for Performance

13,000x

Faster module caching

Compiled Go binaries vs Python module transfer

Sub-µs

Template rendering

Compiled template engine with intelligent caching

Pooled

Connection pooling

Reuse SSH connections across tasks

Ansible vs Parallax

Side-by-side comparison of key differences.

FeatureAnsibleParallax
RuntimePython 3.xSingle Go binary
Installpip install + dependenciesDownload binary
Remote dependenciesPython required on targetsNone (ships compiled modules)
Module executionPython scripts via SSHCompiled Go binaries
Module cachingNoYes (persistent binary cache)
Connection poolingLimited (pipelining)Full SSH connection pool
TemplatingJinja2 (Python)gonja (Jinja2-compatible)
ConcurrencyPython multiprocessingGoroutines (lock-free)
Playbook syntaxYAMLSame YAML (compatible)
VaultAES256 (1.1 & 1.2)AES256 (1.1 & 1.2, compatible)
Plugin systemPython pluginsGo plugins (go-plugin RPC)

Get Started in 3 Steps

1

Install

Install
$ go install gitlab.com/digitalxero/parallax@latest
2

Write a playbook

site.yml
---
- name: Configure servers
  hosts: webservers
  tasks:
    - name: Install nginx
      package:
        name: nginx
        state: present
3

Run it

Terminal
$ parallax play -i inventory.ini site.yml