Reconciliation loop: the heart of GitOps. The operator runs an infinite control loop: (1) read desired state from Git, (2) read observed state from Kubernetes API, (3) diff, (4) if different, apply changes (kubectl apply equivalent). Runs on configurable interval (e.g., 3 minutes) and on Git push webhooks. GitOps properties: Declarative (YAML), Versioned (Git), Pulled automatically (operator pulls — not push-based CI), Continuously reconciled (self-healing). Drift: any difference between desired and observed state.
2 / 5
In ArgoCD, what is an Application custom resource?
ArgoCD Application CR: spec fields: source.repoURL (Git URL), source.path (directory in repo), source.targetRevision (branch/tag/commit), destination.server (cluster URL or "in-cluster"), destination.namespace. Sync policies: automated.prune: true — delete resources removed from Git. automated.selfHeal: true — revert manual changes. App of Apps pattern: one Application CR that points to a directory of other Application CRs — bootstraps an entire cluster from a single sync. Sync waves: order resource creation (wave 0 first: CRDs, namespaces; wave 1: operators; wave 2: applications).
3 / 5
What does ArgoCD's OutOfSync status mean?
OutOfSync: ArgoCD has detected a difference between Git and the cluster. Sources: new Git commit (expected — sync will apply it), manual kubectl change (drift — sync will revert it), mutating admission webhook injecting fields (expected — may need to use ignoreDifferences). Synced: Git and cluster match. Unknown: ArgoCD cannot determine state. Health status: Healthy: all resources running. Progressing: deployment in progress. Degraded: pod crash-looping, Deployment failed rollout. Sync options: CreateNamespace=true, ServerSideApply=true, PruneLast=true.
4 / 5
What is Kustomize and why is it used in GitOps repos?
Kustomize: structure: base/ (shared manifests) + overlays/dev/ + overlays/production/. Each overlay kustomization.yaml references the base and applies patches. Features: images override: change image tags without editing base manifests. namePrefix/nameSuffix: add environment prefix to all resource names. configMapGenerator: generate ConfigMaps with content hash appended (triggers rolling update). patches: strategic merge patch or JSON6902. No templating language — plain YAML + overlays. Multi-environment pattern: dev overlay reduces replicas/resources; production overlay adds HPA, PDB, higher limits.
5 / 5
What is drift in a GitOps context and why is it a risk?
Drift: sources include: kubectl direct changes (most common — someone hotfixes in the cluster), admission webhook mutations (injecting fields not in Git), external operators modifying resources, VPA/Cluster Autoscaler changing resource requests. Risk: cluster state no longer matches Git, so Git cannot be used to reproduce the cluster. The cluster is an undocumented snowflake. Auto-reconciliation reverts manual fixes without warning. Break-glass procedure: (1) pause ArgoCD sync for the Application, (2) apply emergency fix, (3) immediately commit same change to Git, (4) re-enable sync. Every break-glass event should trigger a postmortem.
What does the "GitOps with ArgoCD" vocabulary exercise cover?
This exercise tests real IT vocabulary related to gitops with argocd through 5 multiple-choice questions, each built from realistic workplace sentences rather than abstract definitions.
Is this vocabulary exercise free to use?
Yes. Every exercise on CoderSlingo, including this one, is completely free — no account, sign-up, or payment required.
How many questions does this exercise have?
This exercise has 5 questions. Each one shows a real-world sentence or scenario with multiple-choice options and an explanation once you answer.
What happens after I answer a question?
You'll see immediate feedback showing whether your answer was correct, along with a short explanation of why — then a button to move to the next question, and a full results screen at the end.
Can I retry the exercise if I get questions wrong?
Yes. Once you reach the results screen, click "Try again" to reset your answers and go through the exercise from the start as many times as you like.
Do I need to create an account to take this exercise?
No account is needed. Your answers are scored in your browser during the session — nothing is saved to a server, so you can jump straight in.
Is my progress saved if I leave the page?
No — progress within an exercise resets if you navigate away or reload. Each exercise is short enough to complete in a few minutes in one sitting.
Are these vocabulary exercises connected to other topics?
Yes — this module shares real-world context with 1 other vocabulary module. See "Related vocabulary" below to keep building a connected skill set.
How is this different from reading a glossary or blog article?
Exercises like this one are active recall drills — you have to choose the correct term or phrasing yourself, which builds retention faster than passively reading a definition.
Where can I find more vocabulary exercises?
Browse the full Vocabulary exercises hub for hundreds of modules covering Agile, DevOps, security, databases, architecture, and more — organised by IT role and skill.