- A
Use a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml by specifying 'additional_build_steps' to first install build dependencies, then install the library and collection, and finally remove build dependencies.
Correct. Multi-stage builds minimize final image size by discarding build-time layers.
- B
Use the 'dependencies' key for the Python library and the 'git' option for the collection, which automatically handles minimization.
Why wrong: Incorrect. ansible-builder does not automatically remove build dependencies added for compilation.
- C
Build a custom base image that already includes the library and collection, then reference it as the base image.
Why wrong: Incorrect. A custom base image is likely larger and may include extra packages, violating the size requirement.
- D
Add the library and collection installation commands to the 'additional_build_steps' section without any cleanup steps.
Why wrong: Incorrect. This leaves build dependencies in the image, increasing size and attack surface.
EX294 Practice Question: Create content collections and execution environments
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of create content collections and execution environments. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your security team requires that all containers used in production must be scanned for vulnerabilities and must not contain any unnecessary packages to reduce attack surface. You are building an execution environment based on the 'ee-minimal-rhel8' image from Red Hat. You need to add a custom Python library named 'my_lib' that is available on a private PyPI server. You also need to install a collection from a private Git repository. The execution environment must be as small as possible. Which approach to building the execution environment satisfies the security and size requirements?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml by specifying 'additional_build_steps' to first install build dependencies, then install the library and collection, and finally remove build dependencies.
Option A is correct because a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml using 'additional_build_steps' allows you to install build dependencies (e.g., gcc, python3-devel) needed to compile 'my_lib', install the library from the private PyPI server, install the collection from the private Git repository, and then remove all build dependencies in a subsequent stage. This results in a final image that contains only the runtime artifacts, minimizing the attack surface and image size, satisfying the security and size requirements.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Use a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml by specifying 'additional_build_steps' to first install build dependencies, then install the library and collection, and finally remove build dependencies.
Why this is correct
Correct. Multi-stage builds minimize final image size by discarding build-time layers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the 'dependencies' key for the Python library and the 'git' option for the collection, which automatically handles minimization.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. ansible-builder does not automatically remove build dependencies added for compilation.
- ✗
Build a custom base image that already includes the library and collection, then reference it as the base image.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A custom base image is likely larger and may include extra packages, violating the size requirement.
- ✗
Add the library and collection installation commands to the 'additional_build_steps' section without any cleanup steps.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This leaves build dependencies in the image, increasing size and attack surface.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the 'dependencies' key or 'git' option automatically handle cleanup, but they do not; the exam tests whether you understand that explicit multi-stage build steps are required to remove build dependencies and minimize the image.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible Builder uses Podman or Docker to build execution environments. The 'additional_build_steps' key in execution-environment.yml allows you to inject arbitrary RUN commands at specific stages of the build. A multi-stage build leverages the COPY --from syntax to copy only the installed artifacts (e.g., Python site-packages, collection files) from a temporary build stage to a clean final stage, discarding the build environment entirely. This technique is essential for minimizing image size and reducing the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) count, as build tools like compilers and header files are not present in the final image.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the EX294 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Create content collections and execution environments — This question tests Create content collections and execution environments — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml by specifying 'additional_build_steps' to first install build dependencies, then install the library and collection, and finally remove build dependencies. — Option A is correct because a multi-stage build in the execution-environment.yml using 'additional_build_steps' allows you to install build dependencies (e.g., gcc, python3-devel) needed to compile 'my_lib', install the library from the private PyPI server, install the collection from the private Git repository, and then remove all build dependencies in a subsequent stage. This results in a final image that contains only the runtime artifacts, minimizing the attack surface and image size, satisfying the security and size requirements.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This EX294 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the EX294 exam.
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