---
description: |
  Provisioners use builtin and third-party software to install and configure the
  machine image after booting.
page_title: Provisioners
---

# Provisioners

Provisioners use built-in and third-party software to install and configure the
machine image after booting. Provisioners prepare the system, so you may want to use them for the following use cases:

- installing packages
- patching the kernel
- creating users
- downloading application code

Refer to the [`provisioner`](/packer/docs/templates/hcl_templates/blocks/build/provisioner) block documentation to learn more
about working with provisioners. The documentation includes details about each type of provisioner.