argocd-app-deployment

name	argocd-app-deployment
description	Deploy applications to Kubernetes using Argo CD GitOps workflows. Use when Claude needs to work with Argo CD for GitOps-based deployments. GitOps pattern enforced, no CI pipeline design, application manifests only.

ArgoCD App Deployment

Overview

This skill provides tools for deploying applications to Kubernetes using Argo CD GitOps workflows. It focuses on GitOps patterns with application manifests, without involving CI pipeline design.

Primary Functions

1. Argo CD Application Management: Create and manage Argo CD Applications
2. GitOps Workflow: Enforce GitOps patterns for deployment management
3. Manifest Generation: Create Kubernetes manifests for applications
4. Sync Operations: Trigger and monitor application synchronization

GitOps Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy applications using GitOps:

1. Prepare Application Manifests: Create Kubernetes manifests in Git repository
2. Create Argo CD Application: Define Application CR with repository details
3. Configure Sync Settings: Set up auto-sync and pruning options
4. Monitor Synchronization: Track sync status and health
5. Manage Lifecycle: Handle updates, rollbacks, and deletions

Application Definition Patterns

Basic Application

• Source repository and path
• Destination cluster and namespace
• Sync policy configuration
• Health assessment settings

Advanced Application

• Multiple sources configuration
• Sync windows and exclusions
• Resource hooks and finalizers
• Signature verification

Argo CD Best Practices

Security

• Use least-privilege RBAC permissions
• Enable signature verification for manifests
• Implement proper repository access controls
• Secure Argo CD instance with proper authentication

Synchronization

• Configure appropriate sync policies
• Use pruning for resource cleanup
• Implement cascading deletes
• Monitor sync status continuously

Health Assessment

• Define proper health checks for resources
• Use custom health checks when needed
• Monitor application health status
• Implement proper health assessment rules

Scripts Provided

This skill includes scripts for common Argo CD operations:

Application Management Scripts

• create_application.sh: Create Argo CD Application CR
• sync_application.sh: Trigger application synchronization
• delete_application.sh: Delete Argo CD Application
• update_application.sh: Update application configuration

Manifest Management Scripts

• generate_app_manifests.sh: Generate application manifests
• validate_manifests.sh: Validate Kubernetes manifests
• diff_manifests.sh: Compare local and deployed manifests

GitOps Workflow Scripts

• setup_gitops_repo.sh: Prepare Git repository for GitOps
• commit_manifests.sh: Commit manifests to Git repository
• trigger_sync.sh: Trigger sync from command line

Monitoring Scripts

• check_health.sh: Check application health status
• monitor_sync.sh: Monitor sync progress
• get_status.sh: Get detailed application status

Resources

scripts/

Executable scripts for Argo CD application management and GitOps workflows.

Examples:

• create_application.sh - Script to create Argo CD Application CR
• sync_application.sh - Script to trigger application synchronization
• check_health.sh - Script to check application health status

Appropriate for: Argo CD Application management, GitOps workflows, and application lifecycle operations.

references/

Documentation about Argo CD best practices and GitOps configuration patterns.

Examples:

• Argo CD Application CR specifications
• GitOps workflow best practices
• Security configuration guides
• Troubleshooting guides

Appropriate for: In-depth information about Argo CD configuration and GitOps practices.

assets/

Template files and configurations for Argo CD applications.

Examples:

• Argo CD Application CR templates
• Git repository configuration templates
• Sync policy templates
• Health check configuration templates

Appropriate for: Standard templates used in Argo CD deployments.

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Any unneeded directories can be deleted. Not every skill requires all three types of resources.

When NOT to Use This Skill

• Simple one-off kubectl deployments — if you only need to apply a manifest once without GitOps tracking, use kubernetes-deployer directly
• Environments without a Git repository — ArgoCD is GitOps-first; without a Git source of truth the sync model doesn't work
• Non-Kubernetes targets — ArgoCD is Kubernetes-native; use standard CI/CD pipelines for VMs or serverless deployments

Common Mistakes

• Not setting syncPolicy.automated with selfHeal: true — manual drift from the desired state won't be corrected automatically
• Committing secrets directly to the Git repo that ArgoCD syncs — use Sealed Secrets or external secret operators instead
• Not configuring health checks for custom resources — ArgoCD marks apps as Healthy before they're actually ready

Related Skills

• k8s-foundation — Kubernetes cluster prerequisites for ArgoCD
• kubernetes-deployer — Imperative Kubernetes deployments when GitOps is not required
• infra-devops — Full infrastructure and DevOps pipeline including ArgoCD integration