blumeops/docs/reference/kubernetes/tailscale-operator.md
Erich Blume 2bea048dbf Externalize Tailscale operator to forge mirror (#295)
## Summary
- Mirrors `tailscale/tailscale` on forge (`mirrors/tailscale`)
- Replaces vendored `operator.yaml` (495 KB / 5,386 lines) with ArgoCD apps sourcing the upstream static manifest, pinned via `targetRevision: v1.94.2`
- Adds `tailscale-operator-base` app for indri and `tailscale-operator-base-ringtail` for ringtail
- Local kustomization retains only ProxyClass and DNSConfig custom resources
- Updates `[[tailscale-operator]]` doc to reflect new sourcing

## Deployment and Testing
- [ ] Register `mirrors/tailscale` repo in ArgoCD (it needs to know about the new repo)
- [ ] Sync `apps` app to pick up the new `tailscale-operator-base` app definitions
- [ ] Sync `tailscale-operator-base` — verify CRDs, RBAC, operator Deployment come up
- [ ] Sync `tailscale-operator` — verify ProxyClass, DNSConfig still apply cleanly
- [ ] Verify existing Tailscale Ingresses still work (ProxyGroup pods healthy)
- [ ] Repeat for ringtail cluster
- [ ] After merge: apps already point at tags, no revision reset needed

Reviewed-on: #295
2026-03-15 17:44:35 -07:00

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1.5 KiB
Markdown

---
title: Tailscale Operator
modified: 2026-02-08
tags:
- kubernetes
- tailscale
---
# Tailscale Kubernetes Operator
The Tailscale operator enables Kubernetes services to be exposed directly on the Tailscale network via Ingress resources.
## Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| **Namespace** | `tailscale` |
| **Upstream** | `mirrors/tailscale` on forge (static manifest) |
| **ArgoCD Apps** | `tailscale-operator-base` (upstream), `tailscale-operator` (config) |
## How It Works
Ingresses use a shared ProxyGroup (`ingress`) rather than per-service Tailscale nodes. When you create an Ingress with `ingressClassName: tailscale`:
1. Operator configures the shared ProxyGroup pods to serve the new Ingress
2. Service gets a VIP (Virtual IP) address on the tailnet
3. Service becomes accessible at `<hostname>.tail8d86e.ts.net`
4. TLS is handled automatically via Tailscale
Tailnet clients must have `--accept-routes` enabled to route to VIP addresses.
Services can be individually tagged (e.g., `tag:flyio-target`) via Ingress annotations to control which ACL grants apply. See [[expose-service-publicly]] for the tagging workflow.
## Limitations
Services exposed via Tailscale Ingress are **not accessible** from:
- Other Kubernetes pods (they're not Tailscale clients)
- Docker containers on indri
For pod-to-service communication, use [[routing|Caddy]] (`*.ops.eblu.me`) instead.
## Related
- [[tailscale]] - Network configuration
- [[routing]] - Service routing options
- [[apps]] - Application registry