github.com/ratanraj/packer@v1.3.2/website/source/docs/commands/validate.html.md (about)

     1  ---
     2  description: |
     3      The `packer validate` Packer command is used to validate the syntax and
     4      configuration of a template. The command will return a zero exit status on
     5      success, and a non-zero exit status on failure. Additionally, if a template
     6      doesn't validate, any error messages will be outputted.
     7  layout: docs
     8  page_title: 'packer validate - Commands'
     9  sidebar_current: 'docs-commands-validate'
    10  ---
    11  
    12  # `validate` Command
    13  
    14  The `packer validate` Packer command is used to validate the syntax and
    15  configuration of a [template](/docs/templates/index.html). The command
    16  will return a zero exit status on success, and a non-zero exit status on
    17  failure. Additionally, if a template doesn't validate, any error messages will
    18  be outputted.
    19  
    20  Example usage:
    21  
    22  ``` text
    23  $ packer validate my-template.json
    24  Template validation failed. Errors are shown below.
    25  
    26  Errors validating build 'vmware'. 1 error(s) occurred:
    27  
    28  * Either a path or inline script must be specified.
    29  ```
    30  
    31  ## Options
    32  
    33  -   `-syntax-only` - Only the syntax of the template is checked. The configuration
    34      is not validated.
    35  
    36  -   `-except=foo,bar,baz` - Builds all the builds except those with the given
    37      comma-separated names. Build names by default are the names of their builders,
    38      unless a specific `name` attribute is specified within the configuration.
    39  
    40  -   `-only=foo,bar,baz` - Only build the builds with the given comma-separated
    41      names. Build names by default are the names of their builders, unless a
    42      specific `name` attribute is specified within the configuration.
    43  
    44  -   `-var` - Set a variable in your packer template. This option can be used
    45      multiple times. This is useful for setting version numbers for your build.
    46  
    47  -   `-var-file` - Set template variables from a file.