CD Workflow with ArgoCD

Continuous Delivery (CD) is a software development approach that aims to deliver high-quality software to production in a fast and reliable manner. ArgoCD, a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool, plays a pivotal role in automating and streamlining this process. In this article, we will delve into the CD workflow with ArgoCD, exploring its key features and providing step-by-step instructions for effective implementation.

Setting the Stage: ArgoCD Overview

ArgoCD is designed to automate the deployment of applications within Kubernetes clusters by using Git repositories as the source of truth for declarative infrastructure and application definitions. It provides a clear and auditable view of the desired state versus the current state of applications.

Installing ArgoCD:

To begin the CD workflow with ArgoCD, the first step is installing it. Use the following commands:

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

This will set up ArgoCD and its components in the designated namespace.

Accessing the ArgoCD Dashboard:

Once installed, access the ArgoCD dashboard using the following port-forward command:

kubectl port-forward svc/argocd-server -n argocd 8080:443

Visit https://localhost:8080 in your browser and log in with the default credentials (username: admin, password: password).

Defining Applications in Git:

ArgoCD relies on Git repositories to define applications and their desired state. Create a Git repository with your application manifests, including Application and AppProject custom resources.

Syncing Applications:

ArgoCD continuously monitors the Git repositories for changes. To sync applications with the desired state defined in the Git repository, use:

argocd app sync <application-name>

Rollback Functionality:

One of the notable features of ArgoCD is its rollback capability. In case of issues with a new deployment, roll back to a previous version using:

argocd app rollback <application-name>

Managing Secrets:

Securely manage sensitive information using Kubernetes secrets. ArgoCD supports the management of these secrets, ensuring a robust security posture.

Real-time Application Status:

Check the real-time status of your applications with:

argocd app get <application-name>

This provides insights into the health and synchronization status of the application.

Customizing ArgoCD Workflows:

Tailor ArgoCD workflows to suit your organization's specific requirements by leveraging its extensibility and customization options.

So, implementing a CD workflow with ArgoCD empowers development teams to achieve faster, more reliable software delivery. By leveraging GitOps principles and automation, ArgoCD streamlines the deployment process, providing a robust foundation for modern DevOps practices.