Packer: using -var-file doesnt work

[developerinlondon]

i am trying to use the -var-file with no luck. it says the variables are not found. anyone have any ideas? ref: https://www.packer.io/docs/templates/user-variables.html

i am using Packer v0.7.2

[rickard-von-essen]

Gist your config.json, var-file.json and your command line you are trying.

[developerinlondon]

@rickard-von-essen sure:

the config.json -
https://gist.github.com/developerinlondon/092429caf39a8d21c16a

the var-file.json -
https://gist.github.com/developerinlondon/dbfc29349a6be91ca615

command I am running:

$ packer build  -var-file=var-file.json build-hh-jenkins-prod-base.json
Failed to parse template: 8 error(s) occurred:

* Unknown user variables: log_volume_size
* Unknown user variables: jenkins_volume_size
* Unknown user variables: environment
* Unknown user variables: aws_region
* Unknown user variables: base_ami
* Unknown user variables: instance_type
* Unknown user variables: virtualisation
* Unknown user variables: root_volume_size

[rickard-von-essen]

You must define a _variables_ block, see https://packer.io/docs/templates/user-variables.html

[DarwinJS]

Sorry to comment on such an old item, but that would mean this documentation is wrong (under "From a File" as it does not show the "variables" section in the sample JSON: https://www.packer.io/docs/templates/user-variables.html

[rickard-von-essen]

@DarwinJS the vars file _shouldn't_ have a variables map but the _template_ file must and that was what was missing. Post on the mail-list if you need help with using var files. If you think there is a error in the docs please open a issue and describe in details what is wrong or unclear.

[DarwinJS]

I understand now - your comment to the original poster was not clear which file the block should go in.

[kral2]

It was also not clear me how the main packer file and the variable file should be formatted.
Thanks for the comments. Below a gist as an example with a working file syntax.
https://gist.github.com/kral2/7c3151d9d82f0481dc6ad444cf453595

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