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What are Chkk Upgrade Templates?

Chkk Upgrade Templates are agentic, reusable workflows that serve as standardized blueprints for safely upgrading Kubernetes clusters, add-ons, application services, and Kubernetes operators. They represent the foundation of Chkk’s upgrade management system.

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Key Characteristics

1. Agentic Workflows
  • Templates are generated using AI to create tested sequences of steps and stages
  • They incorporate best practices and proven upgrade methodologies
  • Each template is tailored to specific components (clusters, add-ons, operators, etc.)
2. Reusable Blueprints
  • Templates are environment-scoped rather than cluster-specific
  • A single template can be used to create multiple Upgrade Plans for different clusters
  • They provide consistent upgrade processes across multiple environments
3. Comprehensive Coverage
  • Cluster Upgrade Templates: For upgrading entire Kubernetes clusters
  • Add-on Upgrade Templates: For upgrading specific add-ons, application services, and operators
  • Support for both In-Place and Blue-Green upgrade strategies
4. Customizable and Reviewable
  • Teams can review templates before approval
  • Custom steps can be added to align with organizational guidelines
  • Internal change-management standards can be applied
  • Teams can confirm which versions to upgrade now versus later

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Template Lifecycle

  1. Waiting for Template → Template is being generated
  2. Available → Template is ready for review and customization
  3. Approved for Use → Template has been reviewed, customized, and officially approved
  4. Environment Upgraded → Template has been used successfully

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Key Features

1. Approval Process
  • Templates must be explicitly approved before use
  • Chkk logs who approved each template for team visibility
  • Approval includes the ability to add comments and custom steps
2. Standardization Benefits
  • Reduces context switching between different upgrade processes
  • Preserves knowledge by codifying best practices
  • Promotes reuse of best practices across the organization
  • Enables consistent workflows organization-wide
3. Integration Support
  • Templates work with various deployment methods (Helm, Kustomize, YAML manifests)
  • Support for private registries and custom images
  • Compatible with GitOps and CI/CD workflows

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How Templates Work

  • Generation: Templates are created either through direct requests or derived from Upgrade Assessments
  • Review & Customization: Teams review the template, add custom steps, and adjust to organizational needs
  • Approval: Templates are marked as “Approved for Use” with proper logging
  • Instantiation: Approved templates are used to create cluster-specific Upgrade Plans
  • Reuse: The same template can be instantiated multiple times for different clusters

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Benefits

  • Faster Upgrades: Pre-tested workflows eliminate guesswork
  • Consistent Processes: Standardized approaches across multiple clusters
  • Reduced Risk: Proven methodologies minimize upgrade failures
  • Knowledge Preservation: Best practices are captured and reused
  • Team Collaboration: Clear approval processes and delegation support
Upgrade Templates essentially serve as the “recipes” that teams can customize and approve once, then use repeatedly to create specific “cooking instructions” (Upgrade Plans) for individual clusters.

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Integration with Chkk Upgrade Copilot

Upgrade Templates are one of the three complementary capabilities of Chkk Upgrade Copilot:
  1. Upgrade Assessments → Map scope, impact, and dependencies
  2. Upgrade Templates → Provide detailed, pre-verified workflows
  3. Upgrade Plans → Instantiate templates for specific cluster execution
Upgrade Templates/Plans are preverified against a Digital Twin of your running configuration and take longer to generate; use them closer to execution.
This comprehensive approach ensures teams can scope effort and delegate work early, making upgrades faster, safer, and more predictable.