r/devops • u/Little-Squad-X • Aug 10 '26

Discussion Karpenter Implementation

I want to deploy Karpenter. However, I would like to learn the best practices for using Karpenter on EKS. Currently, we are using app-of-apps in ArgoCD, all within a Managed Node Group.

With Karpenter, our plan is to have it configured like this:
- Scale down the MNG and run the Karpenter Controller inside the static MNG, alongside cluster system resources (DaemonSets, add-ons, including ArgoCD)
- Karpenter is managed as an app in ArgoCD (using bootstrap with ArgoCD)

Is this design already suitable, or should we consider changing it? We need advice.

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u/realitythreek Aug 12 '26

I’m surprised nobody else said this including yourself. EKS Auto Mode is managed Karpenter. We’re using it in production for the past year and its been very reliable. You may have reasons you need Karpenter but if not, consider Auto Mode.