github.com/hashicorp/packer@v1.14.3/website/content/partials/guides/hcl2-beta-note.mdx

-> **Note:** Packer version **1.5.0** introduced support for HCL2 templates as a beta feature. As of version **1.7.0**, HCL2 support is no longer in beta and is the preferred way to write Packer configuration(s).