Build and test your first Kubernetes operator with Go, Kubebuilder, and CircleCI

Kubernetes operators enhance the Kubernetes API by automating tasks such as provisioning and policy enforcement, making cluster management more efficient. This tutorial guides users through creating a simple operator using Go and the Kubebuilder framework to automate the labeling of new Kubernetes namespaces with default labels like team and env. The process includes integrating CircleCI to automate testing and image builds, ensuring the operator is reliable from the onset. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of consistent metadata in shared clusters for observability and cost tracking, and how automation reduces operational errors. It covers prerequisites for setting up the development environment, writing and testing the operator's reconciliation logic, and containerizing the operator for deployment on Kubernetes clusters. Additionally, it outlines setting up a CI pipeline with CircleCI to automate testing and deployment processes, providing a solid foundation for building more advanced operators.