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What is Reloader?#

Reloader ensures that configuration and secret changes in Kubernetes are applied to running workloads in a safe, automatic, and consistent way.

In Kubernetes, updating a ConfigMap or Secret does not automatically update running Pods. Without additional controls, this often leads to manual restarts, stale configuration, and operational risk.

Reloader closes this gap by observing configuration changes and triggering workload updates based on explicit and predictable rules.

Why Reloader Exists#

In many Kubernetes environments, configuration changes rely on manual intervention or best-effort operational practices.

Common challenges include:

  • Workloads running with outdated configuration or secrets
  • Manual restarts causing downtime or errors
  • Inconsistent behavior across environments
  • Platform teams becoming operational bottlenecks

Reloader was created to make configuration changes deterministic operational events, rather than ad-hoc procedures.

Reloader’s Operational Model#

Reloader introduces a consistent operational model for handling configuration and secret changes in Kubernetes.

At a high level:

  1. Configuration or secrets are updated
  2. Reloader detects the change
  3. A controlled workload update is triggered
  4. The updated configuration is applied at runtime

This model ensures that approved configuration changes are actually reflected in running workloads, without requiring application changes or manual intervention.

Deterministic Change Propagation#

Reloader ensures that configuration changes are not silently ignored. Once a change is detected, the corresponding workload update follows a predictable and observable path.

Reduced Operational Risk#

By removing ad-hoc restarts and manual procedures, Reloader reduces human error and improves platform reliability.

When Enterprise Capabilities Apply#

Reloader is available in both open-source and enterprise editions.

The core reload mechanism and operational model apply to all Reloader users. Some advanced capabilities extend this model to support larger, regulated, or multi-tenant environments.

Throughout this documentation, the following markers are used:

  • — Available in the open-source edition
  • — Requires Reloader Enterprise

Enterprise capabilities focus on:

  • Governance and control over configuration changes
  • Operational and auditability visibility
  • Multi-cluster and multi-tenant environments
  • Enterprise support and lifecycle guarantees

These extensions build on the same underlying model and do not change how Reloader behaves at its core.