The operator-framework/api is a Go library that provides API definitions and validation tools for the Operator Lifecycle Manager and Marketplace Operator ecosystems.
The project solves the problem of ensuring quality and compliance for Kubernetes operator manifests before distribution through OLM. It exposes a set of validator interfaces that perform static checks on operator manifests, scanning for issues and providing low-cost quality assurance. The validators are implemented as linters that check manifests against common requirements and optional criteria relevant to operators distributed via OLM. The project allows users to create custom validators by leveraging its interfaces, and validators can accept optional key-value pairs to customize their behavior, such as specifying a target Kubernetes version for compatibility checks.
Developers should adopt this tool if they are building operators intended for distribution through OLM and want to validate their manifests programmatically or through the command line. The project is particularly suited for operator projects that need to ensure their bundles meet OLM distribution requirements. The tool integrates with Operator-SDK, which provides a convenient way to run default validators and optional validators through CLI flags like `--select-optional` and `--optional-values`. The project also provides a standalone `operator-verify` command-line tool for validating ClusterServiceVersion manifests directly.
The project maintains a structured approach to contributions through the Developer Certificate of Origin. Development activity shows consistent engagement with the codebase through regular updates to the validation framework and API definitions. The project provides comprehensive documentation through Go package documentation and integration examples, demonstrating active maintenance of its interfaces and validator implementations. The tool is actively used as a dependency by Operator-SDK, indicating ongoing reliance and refinement of its validation capabilities.
