diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index ef94a82..a6b840d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+# 0.7.0
+
+ * Add --merge-simple-packages to reduce the number of roles, for packages that have no config files or services to maintain.
+
 # 0.6.0
 
  * Add support for capturing ipset and iptables configuration files
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d2d51ad..96e228f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ Generate Ansible output from an existing harvest bundle.
 
 **Common flags**
 - `--fqdn <host>`: enables **multi-site** output style
+- `--merge-simple-packages`: Puts all packages that don't have config files or services to maintain, in a `common_packages` role, to reduce the number of overall Ansible roles to run.
 
 **Role tags**
 Generated playbooks tag each role so you can target just the parts you need:
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ Convenience wrapper that runs **harvest → manifest** in one command.
 
 Use this when you want “get me something workable ASAP”.
 
-Supports the same general flags as harvest/manifest, including `--fqdn`, remote harvest flags, and `--sops`.
+Supports the same general flags as harvest/manifest, including `--fqdn`, remote harvest flags, `--merge-simple-packages`, and `--sops`.
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/enroll/cli.py b/enroll/cli.py
index 44de047..2483a24 100644
--- a/enroll/cli.py
+++ b/enroll/cli.py
@@ -459,7 +459,6 @@ def main() -> None:
             "Excludes apply to all harvesting, including defaults."
         ),
     )
-
     h.add_argument(
         "--sops",
         nargs="+",
@@ -504,6 +503,11 @@ def main() -> None:
             "(binary) using the given GPG fingerprint(s). Requires `sops` on PATH."
         ),
     )
+    m.add_argument(
+        "--merge-simple-packages",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Merge packages with no configuration files into a single 'common_packages' role.",
+    )
     _add_common_manifest_args(m)
 
     s = sub.add_parser(
@@ -543,7 +547,6 @@ def main() -> None:
             "Excludes apply to all harvesting, including defaults."
         ),
     )
-
     s.add_argument(
         "--sops",
         nargs="+",
@@ -567,6 +570,11 @@ def main() -> None:
             "or a file path."
         ),
     )
+    s.add_argument(
+        "--merge-simple-packages",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Merge packages with no configuration files into a single 'common_packages' role.",
+    )
     _add_common_manifest_args(s)
 
     d = sub.add_parser("diff", help="Compare two harvests and report differences")
@@ -913,6 +921,7 @@ def main() -> None:
                 fqdn=args.fqdn,
                 jinjaturtle=_jt_mode(args),
                 sops_fingerprints=getattr(args, "sops", None),
+                merge_simple_packages=getattr(args, "merge_simple_packages", False),
             )
             if getattr(args, "sops", None) and out_enc:
                 print(str(out_enc))
@@ -1050,6 +1059,9 @@ def main() -> None:
                         fqdn=args.fqdn,
                         jinjaturtle=_jt_mode(args),
                         sops_fingerprints=list(sops_fps),
+                        merge_simple_packages=getattr(
+                            args, "merge_simple_packages", False
+                        ),
                     )
                     if not args.harvest:
                         print(str(out_file))
@@ -1080,6 +1092,9 @@ def main() -> None:
                         args.out,
                         fqdn=args.fqdn,
                         jinjaturtle=_jt_mode(args),
+                        merge_simple_packages=getattr(
+                            args, "merge_simple_packages", False
+                        ),
                     )
                     # For usability (when --harvest wasn't provided), print the harvest path.
                     if not args.harvest:
@@ -1110,6 +1125,9 @@ def main() -> None:
                         fqdn=args.fqdn,
                         jinjaturtle=_jt_mode(args),
                         sops_fingerprints=list(sops_fps),
+                        merge_simple_packages=getattr(
+                            args, "merge_simple_packages", False
+                        ),
                     )
                     if not args.harvest:
                         print(str(out_file))
@@ -1129,6 +1147,9 @@ def main() -> None:
                         args.out,
                         fqdn=args.fqdn,
                         jinjaturtle=_jt_mode(args),
+                        merge_simple_packages=getattr(
+                            args, "merge_simple_packages", False
+                        ),
                     )
     except RemoteSudoPasswordRequired:
         raise SystemExit(
diff --git a/enroll/harvest.py b/enroll/harvest.py
index b64862e..9e5d320 100644
--- a/enroll/harvest.py
+++ b/enroll/harvest.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ class PackageSnapshot:
     managed_links: List[ManagedLink] = field(default_factory=list)
     excluded: List[ExcludedFile] = field(default_factory=list)
     notes: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    has_config: bool = True  # False if package has no config/systemd/cron files
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -366,10 +367,6 @@ def _role_name_from_unit(unit: str) -> str:
     return _safe_name(base)
 
 
-def _role_name_from_pkg(pkg: str) -> str:
-    return _safe_name(pkg)
-
-
 def _copy_into_bundle(
     bundle_dir: str, role_name: str, abs_path: str, src_rel: str
 ) -> None:
@@ -1625,6 +1622,7 @@ def harvest(
 
     manual_pkgs_skipped: List[str] = []
     pkg_snaps: List[PackageSnapshot] = []
+    simple_packages: List[str] = []  # Packages with no config/systemd/cron files
 
     # Add dedicated cron/logrotate roles (if detected) as package roles.
     # These roles centralise all cron/logrotate managed files so they aren't scattered
@@ -1634,16 +1632,18 @@ def harvest(
     if logrotate_snapshot is not None:
         pkg_snaps.append(logrotate_snapshot)
     for pkg in sorted(manual_pkgs):
+        # Skip packages that are already managed by service roles
+        if pkg in covered_by_services:
+            manual_pkgs_skipped.append(pkg)
+            continue
+        # Skip cron/logrotate packages (they have dedicated roles)
         if cron_snapshot is not None and pkg == cron_pkg:
             manual_pkgs_skipped.append(pkg)
             continue
         if logrotate_snapshot is not None and pkg == logrotate_pkg:
             manual_pkgs_skipped.append(pkg)
             continue
-        if pkg in covered_by_services:
-            manual_pkgs_skipped.append(pkg)
-            continue
-        role = _role_name_from_pkg(pkg)
+
         notes: List[str] = []
         excluded: List[ExcludedFile] = []
         managed: List[ManagedFile] = []
@@ -1708,8 +1708,13 @@ def harvest(
                 seen_global=captured_global,
             )
 
-        if not pkg_to_etc_paths.get(pkg, []) and not managed:
-            notes.append("No /etc files detected for this package.")
+        has_config = bool(pkg_to_etc_paths.get(pkg, []) or managed)
+
+        if not has_config:
+            notes.append(
+                "No /etc files or custom configuration detected for this package."
+            )
+            simple_packages.append(pkg)
 
         pkg_snaps.append(
             PackageSnapshot(
@@ -1719,6 +1724,7 @@ def harvest(
                 managed_links=[],
                 excluded=excluded,
                 notes=notes,
+                has_config=has_config,
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/enroll/manifest.py b/enroll/manifest.py
index 99adbb7..97f8caf 100644
--- a/enroll/manifest.py
+++ b/enroll/manifest.py
@@ -825,6 +825,7 @@ def _manifest_from_bundle_dir(
     *,
     fqdn: Optional[str] = None,
     jinjaturtle: str = "auto",  # auto|on|off
+    merge_simple_packages: bool = False,
 ) -> None:
     state_path = os.path.join(bundle_dir, "state.json")
     with open(state_path, "r", encoding="utf-8") as f:
@@ -2055,9 +2056,101 @@ Generated from `{unit}`.
 
         manifested_service_roles.append(role)
 
+    # -------------------------
+    # Merge simple packages (if --merge-simple-packages is set)
+    #
+    # Packages with no configuration files, systemd units, or cron jobs
+    # are merged into a single 'common_packages' role to reduce role count.
+    # -------------------------
+    simple_packages_list: List[str] = []
+    if merge_simple_packages:
+        filtered_package_roles: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+        for pr in package_roles:
+            has_config = pr.get("has_config", True)
+            managed_files = pr.get("managed_files", []) or []
+            # A package is "simple" if it has no config files AND no managed files
+            if not has_config and not managed_files:
+                pkg = pr.get("package")
+                if pkg:
+                    simple_packages_list.append(pkg)
+            else:
+                filtered_package_roles.append(pr)
+        package_roles = filtered_package_roles
+
     # -------------------------
     # Manually installed package roles
     # -------------------------
+    # First, create the common_packages role if we have simple packages to merge
+    if simple_packages_list:
+        role = "common_packages"
+        role_dir = os.path.join(roles_root, role)
+        _write_role_scaffold(role_dir)
+
+        var_prefix = role
+
+        # No managed files for common_packages - just package installation
+        files_var: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+        links_var: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+        dirs_var: List[Dict[str, Any]] = []
+
+        base_vars: Dict[str, Any] = {
+            f"{var_prefix}_packages": simple_packages_list,
+            f"{var_prefix}_managed_files": files_var,
+            f"{var_prefix}_managed_dirs": dirs_var,
+            f"{var_prefix}_managed_links": links_var,
+        }
+
+        if site_mode:
+            _write_role_defaults(
+                role_dir,
+                {
+                    f"{var_prefix}_packages": [],
+                    f"{var_prefix}_managed_files": [],
+                    f"{var_prefix}_managed_dirs": [],
+                    f"{var_prefix}_managed_links": [],
+                },
+            )
+            _write_hostvars(out_dir, fqdn or "", role, base_vars)
+        else:
+            _write_role_defaults(role_dir, base_vars)
+
+        handlers = "---\n"
+        with open(
+            os.path.join(role_dir, "handlers", "main.yml"), "w", encoding="utf-8"
+        ) as f:
+            f.write(handlers)
+
+        task_parts: List[str] = []
+        task_parts.append("---\n" + _render_install_packages_tasks(role, var_prefix))
+
+        tasks = "\n".join(task_parts).rstrip() + "\n"
+        with open(
+            os.path.join(role_dir, "tasks", "main.yml"), "w", encoding="utf-8"
+        ) as f:
+            f.write(tasks)
+
+        with open(
+            os.path.join(role_dir, "meta", "main.yml"), "w", encoding="utf-8"
+        ) as f:
+            f.write("---\ndependencies: []\n")
+
+        readme = f"""# {role}
+
+Common packages with no configuration files.
+
+This role was created by merging simple packages using the `--merge-simple-packages` flag.
+
+## Packages
+{os.linesep.join("- " + p for p in simple_packages_list) or "- (none)"}
+
+> Note: This role only installs packages; it does not manage any configuration files or services.
+"""
+        with open(os.path.join(role_dir, "README.md"), "w", encoding="utf-8") as f:
+            f.write(readme)
+
+        manifested_pkg_roles.append(role)
+
+    # Process package roles (those with configuration files)
     for pr in package_roles:
         role = pr["role_name"]
         pkg = pr.get("package") or ""
@@ -2221,6 +2314,7 @@ def manifest(
     fqdn: Optional[str] = None,
     jinjaturtle: str = "auto",  # auto|on|off
     sops_fingerprints: Optional[List[str]] = None,
+    merge_simple_packages: bool = False,
 ) -> Optional[str]:
     """Render an Ansible manifest from a harvest.
 
@@ -2249,7 +2343,11 @@ def manifest(
     try:
         if not sops_mode:
             _manifest_from_bundle_dir(
-                resolved_bundle_dir, out, fqdn=fqdn, jinjaturtle=jinjaturtle
+                resolved_bundle_dir,
+                out,
+                fqdn=fqdn,
+                jinjaturtle=jinjaturtle,
+                merge_simple_packages=merge_simple_packages,
             )
             return None
 
@@ -2265,7 +2363,11 @@ def manifest(
             pass
 
         _manifest_from_bundle_dir(
-            resolved_bundle_dir, str(tmp_out), fqdn=fqdn, jinjaturtle=jinjaturtle
+            resolved_bundle_dir,
+            str(tmp_out),
+            fqdn=fqdn,
+            jinjaturtle=jinjaturtle,
+            merge_simple_packages=merge_simple_packages,
         )
 
         enc = _encrypt_manifest_out_dir_to_sops(
diff --git a/enroll/schema/state.schema.json b/enroll/schema/state.schema.json
index d0bde52..d8c136a 100644
--- a/enroll/schema/state.schema.json
+++ b/enroll/schema/state.schema.json
@@ -390,6 +390,10 @@
             "package": {
               "minLength": 1,
               "type": "string"
+            },
+            "has_config": {
+              "type": "boolean",
+              "default": true
             }
           },
           "required": [
diff --git a/tests.sh b/tests.sh
index 126a87b..68f7007 100755
--- a/tests.sh
+++ b/tests.sh
@@ -51,3 +51,14 @@ ansible-lint "${ANSIBLE_DIR}"
 
 # Run
 ansible-playbook playbook.yml -i "localhost," -c local --check --diff
+
+# Common simple packages mode
+poetry run \
+	enroll manifest \
+	--harvest "${BUNDLE_DIR}2" \
+	--out "${ANSIBLE_DIR}2" \
+	--merge-simple-packages
+
+builtin cd "${ANSIBLE_DIR}2"
+ls "${ANSIBLE_DIR}2/roles"
+ansible-playbook playbook.yml -i "localhost," -c local --check --diff