# What’s New in the Redpanda Operator

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt)

---
title: What’s New in the Redpanda Operator
latest-redpanda-tag: v26.1.9
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
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page-eol-date: March 31, 2027
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docname: release-notes/operator
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page-version: "26.1"
page-component-version: "26.1"
page-component-title: Streaming
page-relative-src-path: release-notes/operator.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/main/modules/get-started/pages/release-notes/operator.adoc
description: Summary of new features and updates in the Redpanda Operator.
page-git-created-date: "2025-04-07"
page-git-modified-date: "2026-04-14"
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---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/get-started/release-notes/operator.md -->

This topic includes new content and significant changes in the Redpanda Operator. For a complete list of all updates, see the [Redpanda Operator changelog](https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/blob/v26.1.4/operator/CHANGELOG.md).

See also:

-   [What’s New in Redpanda](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/get-started/release-notes/redpanda/)

-   [Kubernetes Compatibility](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/upgrade/k-compatibility/)

-   [Upgrade Redpanda in Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/upgrade/k-rolling-upgrade/)


## [](#redpanda-operator-v26-1-x)Redpanda Operator v26.1.x

[Changelog](https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/blob/release/v26.1.x/operator/CHANGELOG.md)

### [](#nodepool-crd-beta)NodePool CRD (beta)

The Redpanda Operator introduces the NodePool custom resource, which lets you manage groups of Redpanda brokers as independent units within a single cluster. Each NodePool creates its own StatefulSet, giving you fine-grained control over broker placement, resources, and lifecycle.

NodePools enable blue/green node pool migrations: you create a new NodePool on the target Kubernetes node pool, and the operator automatically replicates data and decommissions old brokers with zero downtime. This replaces the manual, broker-by-broker migration process.

> 📝 **NOTE**
>
> The NodePool CRD is in beta. You must enable it with `crds.experimental: true` and the `--enable-v2-nodepools` operator flag.

-   [Node Pools](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/manage/kubernetes/k-node-pools/) — Learn how NodePools work and how to enable them.

-   [Migrate Node Pools](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/upgrade/k-migrate-node-pools/) — Step-by-step blue/green migration using the NodePool CRD.

-   [Migrate an existing cluster to NodePools](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/manage/kubernetes/k-node-pools/#migrate-to-nodepools) — Transition from operator-managed replicas to NodePool-managed brokers.


### [](#prometheus-servicemonitor-for-console)Prometheus ServiceMonitor for Console

The Console custom resource supports a `monitoring` configuration that deploys a Prometheus `ServiceMonitor` to automatically discover and scrape Console metrics. See [Prometheus ServiceMonitor](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/deploy/console/kubernetes/deploy/#prometheus-servicemonitor).

### [](#schema-registry-acls)Schema Registry ACLs

The Redpanda custom resource supports configuring Schema Registry ACLs through the `schemaRegistry.authenticationMethod` field. This enables fine-grained access control for Schema Registry operations in clusters deployed with Kubernetes.

When you enable Schema Registry authentication, you can control which users and service accounts can register, modify, and read schemas. See [Configure Authentication for Redpanda in Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/manage/kubernetes/security/authentication/k-authentication/) for configuration details.

### [](#cloud-topics-for-kubernetes)Cloud Topics for Kubernetes

The Redpanda custom resource supports Cloud Topics in Kubernetes deployments. You can configure topics to use cloud storage as the primary backing store by setting the appropriate storage mode properties.

Cloud Topics in Kubernetes provide the same cost savings and architectural benefits as self-managed deployments. You configure them declaratively through the Redpanda custom resource. For setup instructions, see [Cloud Topics for Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/manage/kubernetes/k-cloud-topics/).

### [](#group-based-access-control-gbac)Group-based access control (GBAC)

The Redpanda Operator supports group-based access control (GBAC) for Kubernetes deployments with OIDC authentication. You can assign roles and ACLs to OIDC groups, and users automatically inherit permissions from their group memberships.

GBAC simplifies permission management in Kubernetes environments by integrating with your identity provider’s group structure. See [Group-based access control for Kubernetes](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/current/manage/kubernetes/security/authorization/k-group-controller/) for configuration and usage details.