diff --git a/scripts/install-ansible.sh b/scripts/install-ansible.sh
index 9bce1cb..68fb732 100644
--- a/scripts/install-ansible.sh
+++ b/scripts/install-ansible.sh
@@ -6,8 +6,9 @@
 # Dependencies: python3, pip, lib/log.sh, lib/platform.sh
 #
 # Tools installed:
-#   - ansible-lint  (Ansible playbook/role linter — pulls ansible-core as dependency)
-#   - molecule      (Ansible role testing framework)
+#   - ansible-lint          (Ansible playbook/role linter — pulls ansible-core as dependency)
+#   - molecule              (Ansible role testing framework)
+#   - community.general     (Ansible collection — yaml callback, json_query, common modules)
 
 set -euo pipefail
 
@@ -69,4 +70,14 @@ else
   log_info "molecule installed successfully"
 fi
 
+# Install community.general collection (idempotent)
+# Required for yaml callback plugin, json_query filter, and many common modules
+if ansible-galaxy collection list community.general &>/dev/null; then
+  log_info "community.general collection is already installed, skipping"
+else
+  log_info "Installing community.general Ansible collection"
+  ansible-galaxy collection install community.general
+  log_info "community.general collection installed successfully"
+fi
+
 log_info "Ansible tooling installation complete"
diff --git a/tests/test-ansible.sh b/tests/test-ansible.sh
index eb7632a..5b08714 100644
--- a/tests/test-ansible.sh
+++ b/tests/test-ansible.sh
@@ -50,6 +50,14 @@ check_tool() {
 check_tool "ansible-lint" "--version"
 check_tool "molecule" "--version"
 
+# Verify community.general collection is installed
+if ansible-galaxy collection list community.general &>/dev/null; then
+  log_info "community.general collection — OK"
+else
+  log_error "community.general Ansible collection is not installed"
+  FAILURES=$((FAILURES + 1))
+fi
+
 if [[ "${FAILURES}" -gt 0 ]]; then
   log_error "Ansible tooling validation failed: ${FAILURES} tool(s) missing or broken"
   exit 1