diff --git a/ansible.yml b/ansible.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed823ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ansible.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+- hosts: ansible
+  roles:
+  - ansible
diff --git a/hosts b/hosts
index 35c91e5..fba7c7a 100644
--- a/hosts
+++ b/hosts
@@ -29,3 +29,5 @@ dch-gw
 dch-gw
 
 [jenkins-slave]
+
+[ansible]
diff --git a/roles/ansible/tasks/main.yml b/roles/ansible/tasks/main.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..99ec87f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/ansible/tasks/main.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+- name: ensure packages are installed
+  package:
+    name=ansible,gnupg,openssh-clients
+    state=present