Ask any question about DevOps here... and get an instant response.
What are the key differences between GitOps and traditional CI/CD workflows?
Asked on Dec 16, 2025
Answer
GitOps and traditional CI/CD workflows both aim to streamline software delivery, but they differ mainly in their approach to deployment and infrastructure management. GitOps emphasizes declarative configurations and version-controlled infrastructure, using Git as the single source of truth, while traditional CI/CD often involves imperative scripts and manual interventions.
Example Concept: GitOps relies on a declarative model where the desired state of the system is stored in Git repositories. Changes to the system are made by updating the Git repository, triggering automated processes to reconcile the actual state with the desired state. In contrast, traditional CI/CD workflows typically use a series of scripts and manual steps to build, test, and deploy applications, often without a single source of truth for the infrastructure state.
Additional Comment:
- GitOps enhances consistency and reliability by using Git's version control features to manage infrastructure changes.
- Traditional CI/CD workflows may involve more manual steps, which can lead to inconsistencies and increased risk of errors.
- GitOps integrates closely with Kubernetes, leveraging its declarative nature, while traditional CI/CD can be used with various environments.
- Both approaches aim to automate and streamline deployment processes, but GitOps provides a more robust framework for infrastructure as code.
Recommended Links:
