Gabriele Bartolini

Learn how to set up a PostgreSQL cluster with the pgvector extension on Kubernetes using CloudNativePG—all in a fully declarative way. This article walks you through the process in just a few minutes, from cluster creation to extension installation.

CloudNativePG 1.26 introduces one of its most anticipated features: declarative in-place major upgrades for PostgreSQL using pg_upgrade. This new approach allows you to upgrade PostgreSQL clusters by simply modifying the imageName in their configuration—just like a minor version update. While it requires brief downtime, it significantly reduces operational overhead, making it ideal for managing large fleets of PostgreSQL databases in Kubernetes. In this article, I will explore how it works, its benefits and limitations, and cover an upgrade of a 2.2TB database.

Managing extensions is one of the biggest challenges in running PostgreSQL on Kubernetes. In this article, I explain why I believe CloudNativePG —now a CNCF Sandbox project—is on the verge of a breakthrough. Two important new features for both PostgreSQL and Kubernetes—the extension_control_path option and image volumes—will guarantee immutability to extension container images.

CloudNativePG has surpassed 5,000 stars on GitHub! More than just a number, this achievement reflects the trust, enthusiasm, and collaboration of the Postgres and Kubernetes open-source community. I look back at the journey, acknowledge the incredible contributions from users and maintainers, and invite everyone to join us in shaping the future of cloud-native PostgreSQL.

2024 was a transformative year for CloudNativePG, marked by significant contributions to the Kubernetes ecosystem, increased adoption, and a growing community. This article reflects on key milestones, including the integration of advanced Kubernetes features, conference highlights, and personal insights, while looking ahead to the opportunities awaiting PostgreSQL in the cloud-native era.