Tekton 1.0: Kubernetes-native CI/CD tool with stable API
Tekton Pipelines has hit version 1.0 and is considered stable. The CI/CD framework is based on Kubernetes and is being developed under the CNCF umbrella.
(Image: Siwakorn TH/Shutterstock.com)
After six years of development, the open-source project Tekton Pipelines has reached version 1.0. According to semantic versioning, the release is now considered stable and ready for productive use in enterprise software development. Tekton Pipelines is aimed at teams looking to automate continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) in Kubernetes environments.
The conference, which specializes in developer experience (DX) and platform engineering, will take place in Mannheim from November 18 to 20, 2025. The CLC program is tailored to IT professionals who deal with the reliable and fast delivery as well as the secure and smooth operation of software. It covers a wide range of topics, including software delivery, Dev(Sec)Ops, containers & Kubernetes, infrastructure & operations, and observability & SRE.
Tickets and further information are available on the CLC website.
With the 1.0 release, the project emphasizes the stability of the API. Tekton has apparently been supplemented with policy controls (e.g., with Open Policy Agent and Kyverno) and extended monitoring functions via the OpenTelemetry observability framework. The software is used in Red Hat OpenShift Pipelines, among other places.
Origin and development
Tekton was created in 2018 from the Knative project and has since been developed further under the Continuous Delivery Foundation. The software maps CI/CD workflows as Kubernetes resources and, according to the project team, offers a scalable and declarative automation model. Recent enhancements include security features, pipeline reusability, and improved observability.
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Use in companies
Some companies are already using Tekton in production. According to its statements, the studio DNEG has significantly accelerated its software delivery with Tekton. Ford uses “Pipelines as Code” with Tekton and Argo CD to standardize development processes. Air Canada automated its deployments using OpenShift and Tekton, thereby reducing operational overhead.
Compared to other CI/CD tools, Tekton takes a modular, Kubernetes-centric approach. Unlike monolithic solutions such as Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD, Tekton is based on Kubernetes custom resources and provides basic building blocks for setting up your CI/CD processes. It is often used with complementary tools such as Argo CD or integrated into platforms such as OpenShift.
Switch to CNCF
Tekton will continue under the umbrella of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). According to the project team, this move is intended to encourage new contributions and ensure development under open governance—i.e., under transparent, collaboratively organized project management, where decisions are made by a neutral community rather than a single company.
Further information and the official release notes can be found in the blog post.
(mdo)
