Provides GKE golden path configuration defaults, production readiness checklists, and cluster default patterns. Use when designing GKE clusters, verifying GKE production readiness, or checking configurations against GKE defaults. Don't use for setting up workload autoscaling specifically (use gke-workload-scaling instead).
Provides GKE golden path configuration defaults, production readiness checklists, and cluster default patterns. Use when designing GKE clusters, verifying GKE production readiness, or checking configurations against GKE defaults. Don't use for setting up workload autoscaling specifically (use gke-workload-scaling instead).
metadata
{"category":"Containers"}
GKE Golden Path Configuration
The golden path is the recommended Autopilot configuration for production
clusters. It defines sensible defaults — when the user requests different
settings, apply them and note relevant trade-offs.
Default to the golden path. Use golden path values unless the user
requests otherwise. When deviating, note trade-offs but respect the user's
choice.
Day-0 vs Day-1. Flag Day-0 decisions (networking, private nodes,
subnets, IP allocation) prominently — they are hard/impossible to change
after creation.
Tool preference: MCP > gcloud > kubectl. MCP is preferred as it directly
interfaces with GKE APIs with structured data, reducing shell syntax errors
and parsing ambiguities. See the gke-basics skill's CLI reference for full
coverage matrix and override options. If the user
says "use gcloud" or "use kubectl", respect that for the session.
Document decisions and rationale, especially for Day-0 choices and
golden path deviations.
Required Inputs
If the user is unsure, use golden path defaults.
Project ID (required)
Region (required, e.g., us-central1)
Cluster name (required)
Environment type: dev/test or production (defaults to production)
Networking: bring-your-own VPC/subnet or auto-create (default:
auto-create)
Cost constraints: Spot VM tolerance, budget considerations
Always-Apply Defaults
Recommended best practices applied by default. If the user requests a different
setting, apply it and briefly note the security or operational trade-off.
