Production Best Practices

Challenge 3: Managing Dependencies

Dependencies between resources can cause ordering issues:

Solution:

• Use Helm hooks or Kustomize ordering
• Implement wait conditions
• Use CRDs with controllers that handle dependencies

# Kustomize with dependencies
apiVersion: kustomize.toolkit.fluxcd.io/v1beta2
kind: Kustomization
metadata:
  name: backend
  namespace: flux-system
spec:
  interval: 5m0s
  path: ./backend
  prune: true
  sourceRef:
    kind: GitRepository
    name: my-app
  dependsOn:
    - name: database

GitOps Best Practices

Based on real-world experience, here are key best practices for GitOps success:

1. Start Small and Iterate

Begin with a single application or namespace and gradually expand your GitOps footprint.

2. Standardize Manifests and Configurations

Create templates and standards for common resources to ensure consistency.

3. Implement Comprehensive Testing

Test your manifests before applying them:

# GitHub Actions workflow for manifest validation
name: Validate Kubernetes Manifests

on:
  pull_request:
    paths:
      - 'k8s/**'

jobs:
  validate:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      
      - name: Validate Kubernetes manifests
        uses: instrumenta/kubeval-action@master
        with:
          files: k8s/
      
      - name: Check for best practices
        uses: zegl/kube-score-action@v1
        with:
          files: k8s/
          output_format: ci

4. Document Your GitOps Workflow

Create clear documentation for your GitOps processes:

• Repository structure
• Workflow diagrams
• Promotion procedures
• Emergency procedures

5. Train Your Team

Ensure all team members understand:

• GitOps principles
• Repository structure
• Review processes
• Troubleshooting procedures

Conclusion: GitOps as an Organizational Strategy

Implementing GitOps is not just about tools and technology—it’s about adopting a new way of working that emphasizes:

1. Collaboration: Breaking down silos between development and operations
2. Automation: Reducing manual processes and human error
3. Transparency: Making changes visible and auditable
4. Reliability: Ensuring consistent, repeatable deployments
5. Velocity: Enabling faster, more frequent releases

By following the practices outlined in this guide, you can implement GitOps workflows that deliver these benefits while addressing the unique requirements and constraints of your organization. Whether you’re just starting with GitOps or looking to optimize your existing implementation, the key is to start with clear principles, choose the right tools, and continuously refine your approach based on feedback and results.

Remember that GitOps is a journey, not a destination. As your organization and technology evolve, your GitOps implementation should evolve with them, always guided by the core principles of declarative configuration, version control, automated delivery, and continuous reconciliation.