Donation: Runner AMI template + slimmed-down user_data to match

[skyzyx]

terraform-aws-github-runner v0.21.0
Terraform 1.0.9

I built out a custom AMI for GHA Runners, based on Amazon Linux 2. Had to pre-compile some packages that aren't in Amazon’s yum repos, but I got there. Cool, I've got a runner AMI.

After digging into the code, trying to figure out the nitty-gritty for how this project works, I found that the default user_data file attempts to do a lot of extra (for me, unnecessary) work at boot. I was able to slim it down to only the things it needed, and pass the filename to the proper Terraform parameter.

I'm wondering if the developers feel there's value in providing a standard Packer template for producing an AL2 AMI ready to use as a GHA Runner. The idea being, if a user wants to use this template to generate their own Base AMI, then this project could also ship a slimmed-down user_data file that focuses exclusively on connecting itself to the Actions system.

I have both written right now. I'd need a little time to clean things up before having a complete, e2e, Terraform-y implementation done to open a ready-to-PR, but I wanted to know if this is something that would be welcome. I used the word "donation" in the title because I could always donate the code to you, then you could decide how to use/expose it to your end-users. Either way, I'm cool.

[npalm]

Would be super nice when we can add AMI templates! Contribution would be very welcome!

[ScottGuymer]

@skyzyx I have started to add exactly this functionality in #1444 with a sample AMI that provides the same OOTB functionality as the current user_data

[npalm]

We have added hooks so you can build a custom AMI, also an example for building an AMI with packer is added.