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In this guide you’ll install Argo Rollouts in a Kubernetes cluster, verify the controller, and install the CLI so you can experiment with canary and blue-green deployments. Argo Rollouts is a Kubernetes controller plus a set of CRDs that extend the Deployment semantics to enable progressive delivery: fine-grained traffic control, automated analysis, and safe rollbacks.
The image shows a webpage from the Argo Rollouts documentation, explaining its functions as a Kubernetes Progressive Delivery Controller, with a menu on the left and a description of its key features on the right.

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1) Cluster permissions

Argo Rollouts requires the controller to run with appropriate RBAC permissions. If your user is not already cluster-admin (common in managed clusters), you can temporarily grant cluster-admin for installation/testing by creating a ClusterRoleBinding — replace <YOUR_EMAIL> with your identity:
Granting cluster-admin is powerful. Only create a ClusterRoleBinding in test environments (minikube, kind, or disposable clusters) or when you understand the security implications.

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2) Install Argo Rollouts

Create the argo-rollouts namespace and apply the official install manifest. The manifest sets up CRDs, RBAC, ConfigMap, Service, and the Rollouts controller Deployment.
Expected install output (sample):
Verify the controller pod, service, and deployment are present and running:
Sample verification output:
Recommended quick reference: resources created by the install manifest

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3) Install the Argo Rollouts CLI

To manage Argo Rollouts from your workstation, install the kubectl plugin binary (kubectl-argo-rollouts). Download the correct release for your OS/arch from the Argo Rollouts releases page: Example for Linux AMD64 (version v1.8.3):
This image shows a GitHub repository page for "argo-rollouts," featuring sections for code, issues, and pull requests, with repository statistics like stars and forks.
After placing the binary on your PATH (for example /usr/local/bin/kubectl-argo-rollouts), invoke it through kubectl:
Example output:
Notes:
  • On macOS use the Darwin binary; on Windows use the .exe release and add it to your PATH.
  • You can also install via package managers or Homebrew where available — check the releases page for options.

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4) Accessing the Argo Rollouts dashboard

The CLI can start a local web UI for inspecting Rollout resources:
When started it will print the local address, for example:
Open http://localhost:3100/rollouts in your browser. The dashboard lists Rollout CRs across namespaces you have access to. Initially it will be empty until you create Rollout objects (the Argo Rollouts CRD) in the namespaces you inspect. Useful links and references That’s it — Argo Rollouts is installed and ready. The controller is running, and the CLI + dashboard are available so you can begin testing blue-green and canary deployment strategies.

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