> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Legacy Kubernetes Deployment Deprecation Notice

The following two deployment options are now considered "legacy" and will be deprecated in a future release, with a support timeline for existing and upcoming CockroachDB versions.

## Public Kubernetes operator support

The [Public operator](https://github.com/cockroachdb/cockroach-operator) for CockroachDB is now considered "legacy" and will be deprecated in 2027, in favor of the fully-supported [CockroachDB operator](https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/docs/stable/cockroachdb-operator-overview.md). The legacy public operator will continue to be available and supported until the end of maintenance support for all current and future [supported major versions of CockroachDB](https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/docs/releases/release-support-policy.md#support-types) through v27.2.

CockroachDB v27.3, expected to release in July 2027, will no longer support the legacy public operator. Existing deployments will need to [migrate to the CockroachDB operator](https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/docs/stable/migrate-cockroachdb-kubernetes-operator.md) before upgrading to v27.3 or later.

## Helm StatefulSet support

The CockroachDB deployment option of using Helm to deploy CockroachDB nodes as a StatefulSet is now considered a legacy deployment method that will remain fully supported through CockroachDB v27.2, and no longer supported in version v27.3 or later.

All new Kubernetes deployments are strongly recommended to use the [CockroachDB operator](https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/docs/stable/cockroachdb-operator-overview.md) and existing Helm StatefulSet deployments will need to [migrate to the CockroachDB operator](https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/docs/stable/migrate-cockroachdb-kubernetes-helm.md) before upgrading to v27.3 or later.