Using ArgoCD for GitOps

Introduction

ArgoCD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes. It automates the process of deploying applications and managing their lifecycle based on Git repositories.

What is ArgoCD?

ArgoCD is an open-source tool that provides a way to continuously deliver applications to Kubernetes. It synchronizes the state of applications defined in Git repositories with the live state in Kubernetes clusters.

GitOps Principles

• Declarative Configuration: Applications and infrastructure are described in Git.
• Version Control: All changes are tracked in a version control system.
• Automated Syncing: ArgoCD automatically syncs the live state with the desired state in Git.
• Auditable Changes: Changes can be reviewed and audited through Git history.

Installation

To install ArgoCD, you can use the following command:

kubectl create namespace argocd
kubectl apply -n argocd -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/argoproj/argo-cd/stable/manifests/install.yaml

Configuration

After installation, access the ArgoCD API server and configure your applications through the UI or CLI. Here’s how to create a new application:

argocd app create my-app \
  --repo https://github.com/my-org/my-app.git \
  --path k8s \
  --dest-server https://kubernetes.default.svc \
  --dest-namespace default

Best Practices

• Use Git branches to manage different environments.
• Automate application deployment with CI/CD pipelines.
• Regularly review access permissions for Git repositories.
• Monitor ArgoCD for sync status and application health.

FAQ