Argo CD

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Coverage Matrix

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Argo CD Overview

Argo CD is a declarative GitOps continuous deployment tool that manages Kubernetes applications by keeping all definitions in Git and automatically syncing the cluster state to match. It runs as a controller, detecting and optionally correcting drift between the live state and the desired configuration. This approach keeps workloads aligned with Git, supporting Helm charts, Kustomize overlays, and other packaging tools for flexible declarative management. Argo CD also offers robust rollback capabilities, allowing teams to revert to any previous version. Its web UI, CLI, SSO integration, and multi-cluster support make Argo CD a powerful engine for continuous delivery.

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Chkk Coverage

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Curated Release Notes

Chkk tracks the official Argo CD release notes and change logs to produce curated summaries for operators. This means you get highlights of upgrade changes, security patches, and new features from each Argo CD release that are relevant to your deployments. By offloading the research work of combing through release notes (Chkk Operational Safety Platform), Chkk’s curated notes ensure you’re aware of any changes (for example, deprecated APIs or config keys) that could impact your Argo CD installation before you upgrade.

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Preflight & Postflight Checks

Chkk performs automated preflight and postflight checks around Argo CD upgrades to catch issues early. Before an upgrade, Chkk runs validations to identify potential problems such as deprecated Kubernetes APIs (or Argo CD CRD changes) that the new version might use, configuration settings that need updating, and any drift between the Git declarative state and the live cluster state. After the upgrade, Chkk’s postflight checks verify that Argo CD is healthy and behaving as expected - for instance, all Argo CD components are running, applications remain in sync, and no new errors or warnings appear. These pre/post-flight checks help detect misconfigurations or regressions early, ensuring the upgrade was successful.

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Version Recommendations

Chkk continuously monitors ArgoCD’s support lifecycle and known compatibility issues to provide version recommendations. It flags when you are running an outdated or end-of-life Argo CD version and suggests a stable version for upgrade. This recommendation is based on the latest patches and security updates, as well as compatibility with your Kubernetes cluster version. In practice, Chkk’s Upgrade Copilot identifies the “correct next version” of Argo CD to upgrade to - one that resolves known vulnerabilities or deprecations - and it alerts you if your current Argo CD release is approaching EOL or has known incompatibilities.

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Upgrade Templates

Chkk provides proven Upgrade Templates for Argo CD, supporting both in-place and blue-green deployment strategies. In an in-place upgrade, it orchestrates the correct sequence of component updates to minimize downtime. For blue-green, Chkk helps spin up a parallel “green” instance, switch over once validated, and then retire the old “blue” deployment. It also determines when to pick one method over the other, aiming to keep GitOps services running smoothly. Throughout either approach, Chkk preserves application synchronization and state, ensuring upgrades do not disrupt managed apps.

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Preverification

Before upgrading Argo CD in production, Chkk conducts a preverification in a controlled environment to validate compatibility with your current configuration. It performs dry-run checks, detecting any issues with Helm charts, Kustomize overlays, or custom resources like Applications and AppProjects. Chkk also confirms that your RBAC configurations remain valid and that repo server integrations (Helm, Git, etc.) continue functioning. If the new version needs additional Kubernetes permissions, Chkk highlights these before proceeding. By verifying all upgrade steps in advance, Chkk ensures you encounter fewer risks during the actual production upgrade.

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Supported Packages

Chkk’s Argo CD add-on works with all common installation methods—Helm, Kustomize, or raw YAML. Whether you installed it via the official Helm chart, a Kustomize overlay, or direct manifests, Chkk automatically detects and manages your deployment. In practice, it tailors checks and upgrades to fit your approach, preserving GitOps workflows for Argo CD itself. This includes suggesting updated Helm chart versions, patching manifests, and validating across all package types to ensure continued compatibility. By covering every packaging method, Chkk keeps Argo CD running smoothly and aligned with your desired state.

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Common Operational Considerations

• Repository Sync Failures: Often caused by incorrect credentials or invalid manifests. Monitor repo-server logs and Argo CD UI events to pinpoint the issue.
• RBAC Misconfigurations: Can lock users out or grant excessive privileges. Double-check ArgoCD’s internal roles and cluster RBAC rules to ensure correct access levels.
• Reconciliation Delays: Large installations may see slower sync times if the controller is overloaded. Tune ArgoCD’s concurrency settings and watch out for apps with constantly flapping differences.
• API Server Load: Argo CD can make frequent API calls in big clusters; consider reducing polling intervals, adjusting client QPS/burst, or sharding Argo CD instances if API requests spike.
• Secrets Management: Use tools like Sealed Secrets or SOPS to avoid storing raw secrets in Git. Secure ArgoCD’s service accounts, storage, and logs to prevent unauthorized exposure of sensitive data.

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Additional Resources

• Argo CD Documentation
• Argo CD Releases