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Understanding GitOps: Git as Single Source of Truth

GitOps is like using Git as single source of truth. Git is the source. Kubernetes follows Git. That's GitOps.

🎯 The Big Picture​

Think of GitOps like using Git as single source of truth. Hotel blueprint (Git). Hotel follows blueprint (Kubernetes). Changes in Git? Automatic update. That's GitOps.

GitOps uses Git as single source of truth. Declarative. Automated. Git-driven operations. Essential for modern DevOps.

The Git as Single Source of Truth Analogy​

Think of GitOps like Git as single source of truth:

Git:

  • Single source of truth
  • All configurations
  • Version controlled
  • Declarative

GitOps Operator:

  • Watches Git
  • Syncs to Kubernetes
  • Automatic
  • Declarative

Once you see it this way, GitOps makes perfect sense.

What is GitOps?​

GitOps definition:

  • Git as single source of truth
  • Declarative configurations
  • Automated sync
  • Git-driven operations

Think of it as: Git is source. Kubernetes follows. Automatic sync.

Why GitOps?​

Problems without GitOps:

  • Manual deployments
  • Configuration drift
  • No audit trail
  • Inconsistent

Solutions with GitOps:

  • Git-driven
  • Declarative
  • Automated
  • Auditable

Real example: I once deployed manually. Configuration drift. No audit. With GitOps, Git-driven. Declarative. Never going back.

GitOps isn't optional. It's essential.

GitOps Tools​

Common tools:

ArgoCD:

  • GitOps operator
  • Kubernetes-native
  • Popular
  • Declarative

Flux:

  • GitOps operator
  • CNCF project
  • Simple
  • Reliable

Jenkins X:

  • CI/CD + GitOps
  • Integrated
  • Powerful

Think of it as: Different GitOps tools. Choose what fits.

Real-World Example: ArgoCD Setup​

Install ArgoCD:

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

Create application:

apiVersion: argoproj.io/v1alpha1
kind: Application
metadata:
  name: my-app
spec:
  project: default
  source:
    repoURL: https://github.com/user/repo
    targetRevision: main
    path: k8s
  destination:
    server: https://kubernetes.default.svc
    namespace: production
  syncPolicy:
    automated:
      prune: true
      selfHeal: true

That's GitOps. Working. Automated.

My Take: GitOps Strategy​

Here's what I do:

Always:

  • Git as source of truth
  • Declarative configurations
  • Automated sync
  • Review process

Production:

  • ArgoCD
  • Automated sync
  • Self-healing
  • Audit trail

The key: Git-driven. Declarative. Automated. Essential.

Memory Tip: The Git as Single Source of Truth Analogy​

GitOps = Git as single source of truth

Git: Source of truth GitOps Operator: Syncs to Kubernetes Automatic: No manual steps

Once you see it this way, GitOps makes perfect sense.

Common Mistakes​

  1. Not using GitOps: Manual deployments
  2. Configuration drift: Not syncing
  3. No review process: Direct commits
  4. Not monitoring: Don't know status
  5. Too complex: Over-engineering

Key Takeaways​

  1. GitOps uses Git as source - Single source of truth
  2. Declarative - Git defines state
  3. Automated sync - Automatic updates
  4. Essential for DevOps - Modern approach
  5. Start simple - ArgoCD or Flux

What's Next?​

Now that you understand GitOps, you've completed the GitOps module. Next: Understanding Multi-Cluster Management.

Remember: GitOps is like Git as single source of truth. Declarative. Automated. Git-driven. Essential for modern DevOps. Start simple. Use ArgoCD or Flux.