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ArgoCD Labs

Getting Started Tip

Choose the preferred way to run the labs. If you encounter any issues, please contact your instructor.

cd 000-setup && bash _demo.sh
  • Open in Cloud Shell

Intro

  • This tutorial teaches ArgoCD through hands-on labs designed as practical exercises.
  • Each lab is packaged in its own folder and includes the files, manifests, and assets required to complete the lab.
  • Every lab folder includes a README that describes the lab’s objectives, tasks, and how to verify the solution.
  • The ArgoCD Labs are a series of GitOps exercises designed to teach players ArgoCD skills and features.
  • The inspiration for this project is to provide practical learning experiences for GitOps and continuous delivery.

Pre-Requirements

  • This tutorial will test your Kubernetes, ArgoCD, and GitOps skills.
  • You should be familiar with the following topics:
  • Basic Linux commands and shell scripting
  • Kubernetes core concepts (pods, deployments, services)
  • Basic knowledge of YAML
  • Basic Git knowledge
  • For advanced Labs:
  • Kubernetes networking and RBAC
  • Helm and Kustomize basics

Usage

  • There are several ways to run the ArgoCD Labs.
  • Choose the method that works best for you.
  • Local cluster with kind or k3d (Recommended)
  • Using Google Cloud Shell
  • Any existing Kubernetes cluster

The easiest way to get started locally:

# Install kind
brew install kind  # macOS
# or
curl -Lo ./kind https://kind.sigs.k8s.io/dl/v0.22.0/kind-linux-amd64 && chmod +x ./kind

# Run the setup lab
cd Labs/000-setup
bash _demo.sh

Prerequisites:

  • Docker installed and running
  • kubectl installed
  • kind or k3d installed
  • argocd CLI installed
  • Google Cloud Shell provides a free, browser-based environment with Kubernetes tools pre-installed.
  • Click on the Open in Google Cloud Shell button below:

Open in Cloud Shell

  • The repository will automatically be cloned into a free Cloud instance.
  • Use CTRL + click to open it in a new window.
  • Follow the instructions in the README of each lab.

!!! warning “” - Ensure you have the necessary permissions to create Kubernetes clusters and namespaces. - Enjoy, and don’t forget to star the project on GitHub!

Preface

What is ArgoCD?

  • ArgoCD is a declarative, GitOps continuous delivery tool for Kubernetes.
  • It follows the GitOps pattern of using Git repositories as the source of truth for defining the desired application state.
  • ArgoCD automates the deployment of the desired application states in the specified target environments.
  • Application deployments can track updates to branches, tags, or specific versions of manifests in Git.

How ArgoCD Works

  • ArgoCD continuously monitors running applications and compares the current state against the desired state in Git.
  • When a difference (drift) is detected, ArgoCD can automatically or manually sync the application back to the desired state.
  • ArgoCD supports multiple config management tools: plain YAML, Helm, Kustomize, Jsonnet, and more.

GitOps Principles

  1. Declarative: The entire system is described declaratively.
  2. Versioned and Immutable: The desired state is stored in Git with history.
  3. Pulled Automatically: Software agents pull the desired state from Git.
  4. Continuously Reconciled: Software agents observe actual vs desired state and reconcile.