diff --git a/roles/api/defaults/main.yml b/roles/api/defaults/main.yml
index c9e0524..f675469 100644
--- a/roles/api/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/api/defaults/main.yml
@@ -3,3 +3,4 @@
 backup: false
 # Easier debugging
 debug: false
+desired_state: present
diff --git a/roles/api/tasks/absent.yml b/roles/api/tasks/absent.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fa4f09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/api/tasks/absent.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+---
+- name: absent state
+  ansible.builtin.debug:
+    msg: 'desired_state: absent unimplemented'
diff --git a/roles/api/tasks/main.yml b/roles/api/tasks/main.yml
index 3d8e57c..b0f3103 100644
--- a/roles/api/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/roles/api/tasks/main.yml
@@ -1,13 +1,5 @@
----
+# Main tasks entry point for the role
 
-- name: Authenticate
-  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: cookie.yml
+- name: "Converge state - {{ desired_state }}"
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: "{{ desired_state }}.yml"
 
-- name: Backup
-  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: backup.yml
-
-- name: Create Controller
-  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: controller.yml
-
-- name: Credentials
-  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: credentials.yml
diff --git a/roles/api/tasks/present.yml b/roles/api/tasks/present.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d8e57c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/roles/api/tasks/present.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+
+- name: Authenticate
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: cookie.yml
+
+- name: Backup
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: backup.yml
+
+- name: Create Controller
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: controller.yml
+
+- name: Credentials
+  ansible.builtin.include_tasks: credentials.yml