GitOps with Flux CD for Kubernetes

By Admin · Mar 22, 2026 · Updated Apr 23, 2026 · 4 views · 3 min read

This guide covers how to set up and configure gitops on a Linux VPS. Whether you're running a production environment or a development setup, these instructions will help you get started quickly and securely.

Prerequisites

Basic familiarity with the Linux command line
The relevant IaC tool installed on your workstation
A registered domain name (for public-facing services)
Version control (Git) installed

Project Structure

The default configuration works well for development environments, but production servers require additional tuning. Pay particular attention to connection limits, timeout values, and logging settings.


# main.tf - Terraform configuration
terraform {
  required_providers {
    null = {
      source = "hashicorp/null"
    }
  }
}

resource "null_resource" "gitops" {
  provisioner "remote-exec" {
    inline = [
      "apt-get update",
      "apt-get install -y flux",
    ]
  }
}

Each line in the configuration serves a specific purpose. The comments explain the reasoning behind each setting, making it easier to customize for your specific use case.

Resource Definitions

The gitops configuration requires careful attention to resource limits and security settings. On a VPS with limited resources, it's important to tune these parameters according to your available RAM and CPU cores.


# Ansible playbook: setup.yml
---
- name: Configure gitops
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install packages
      apt:
        name:
          - gitops
          - flux
        state: present
        update_cache: yes

    - name: Copy configuration
      template:
        src: templates/gitops.conf.j2
        dest: /etc/gitops/gitops.conf
        owner: root
        mode: '0644'
      notify: Restart gitops

  handlers:
    - name: Restart gitops
      systemd:
        name: gitops
        state: restarted

The output should show the service running without errors. If you see any warning messages, address them before proceeding to the next step.

Important Notes

When scaling this setup, consider vertical scaling (adding more RAM/CPU) first, as it's simpler to implement. Horizontal scaling adds complexity but may be necessary for high-traffic applications.

Variable Management

If you encounter issues during setup, check the system logs first. Most problems can be diagnosed by examining the output of journalctl or the application-specific log files in /var/log/.


# main.tf - Terraform configuration
terraform {
  required_providers {
    null = {
      source = "hashicorp/null"
    }
  }
}

resource "null_resource" "gitops" {
  provisioner "remote-exec" {
    inline = [
      "apt-get update",
      "apt-get install -y flux",
    ]
  }
}

Each line in the configuration serves a specific purpose. The comments explain the reasoning behind each setting, making it easier to customize for your specific use case.

State and Version Control

Security should be a primary consideration when configuring gitops. Always use strong passwords, keep software updated, and restrict network access to only the necessary ports and IP addresses.


# Ansible playbook: setup.yml
---
- name: Configure gitops
  hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Install packages
      apt:
        name:
          - gitops
          - flux
        state: present
        update_cache: yes

    - name: Copy configuration
      template:
        src: templates/gitops.conf.j2
        dest: /etc/gitops/gitops.conf
        owner: root
        mode: '0644'
      notify: Restart gitops

  handlers:
    - name: Restart gitops
      systemd:
        name: gitops
        state: restarted

This configuration provides a good balance between performance and resource usage. For high-traffic scenarios, you may need to increase the limits further.

Performance Considerations