Learn FLUXCD-GITOPS with Real Code Examples

FluxCD continuously monitors Git repositories for changes to manifests, Helm charts, or Kustomize configurations.

It applies updates automatically to Kubernetes clusters, maintaining a declarative, version-controlled infrastructure.

Supports automated image updates, alerts, and drift detection for GitOps workflows.

Integrates with Helm, Kustomize, and plain YAML manifests.

Enables multi-cluster management and secure, auditable deployments.

Source Controller - tracks Git repositories

Kustomize Controller - applies Kustomize overlays

Helm Controller - manages Helm releases

Image Update Controller - automates container image updates

Notification Controller - sends alerts on deployments or drift

Git repository - source of truth for cluster state

Controllers - Flux components that reconcile Git and cluster

Kustomize/Helm - tools for templated Kubernetes manifests

Image Automation - updates container images automatically

Notification - sends events on deployment or drift

Git repository root with `clusters/` or `apps/` folders

Kustomize overlays for environments

Helm charts and values files

Secrets encrypted with SOPS or sealed-secrets

Flux-specific configuration YAMLs (GitRepository, Kustomization, HelmRelease)

Define Kubernetes manifests, Helm charts, or Kustomize overlays in Git

Bootstrap Flux to monitor the repository

Push changes to Git repository

Flux controllers reconcile and apply changes to cluster

Monitor reconciliation status and logs via CLI or dashboard

Beginner: Single-cluster GitOps with basic manifests

Intermediate: Multi-namespace deployments

Advanced: HelmRelease automation with image updates

Expert: Multi-cluster, multi-environment GitOps

Architect: Full GitOps CI/CD pipeline with automated image promotion

FluxCD vs ArgoCD: Both are GitOps tools, Flux focuses on continuous reconciliation, ArgoCD offers more GUI and manual sync control

FluxCD vs Jenkins: Jenkins handles CI/CD pipelines, Flux automates Kubernetes deployment from Git

FluxCD vs GitOps Toolkit (Weaveworks): Flux is the core GitOps implementation

FluxCD vs Helm + CI: Flux automates Helm releases without manual CI triggers

FluxCD vs Kustomize alone: Flux adds automation, drift detection, and GitOps reconciliation

2018 - Initial release of FluxCD v1

2020 - FluxCD v2 with controllers and GitOps Toolkit

2021 - Helm and Kustomize controller enhancements

2022 - Image automation and notification controllers introduced

2023–2025 - Multi-cluster management, drift detection, and improved scalability

GitOps - declarative deployments via Git

Kustomization - Flux resource applying Kustomize overlays

HelmRelease - Flux resource managing Helm charts

Reconciliation - process of syncing Git and cluster

Image Automation - updates container images automatically