# Automatic Image Updates

If you want flux to automatically update container images, this is how.
Based on [this](https://fluxcd.io/flux/guides/image-update/) documentation.


## Make the deployment

Start by making a normal deployment how you would normally. Just note not to use `latest` as your tag.
(You shouldn't be anyways).

## Add an image scanner

Create an image scanner to go pull new image versions.

```bash
flux create image repository MYNAME \
  --image=git.clortox.com/infrastructure/my-cool-image \
  --internal=5m \
  --export > MYNAME-registry.yaml
```

Next make the `ImagePolicy` to choose what semver to filter for.

```bash
flux create image policy MYNAME \
  --image-ref=MYNAME \
  --select-semver=0.0.x \
  --export > MYNAME-policy.yaml
```

## Configure Image Updates

At this point flux can scan peridoically and see that new images are released.
Now lets automatically pull them down, and update the git repo.

First, we have to tell flux where it should apply updates in our manifests.
To do that, add the following comment to the end of the line in your deployment

```yaml
image: git.clortox.com/infrastructure/gluttony-cluster/documentation:0.0.1 # {"$imagepolicy": "flux-system:MYNAME"}
```

The syntax here is `NAMESPACE:IMAGE_POLICY_NAME`.

After this, lets make the updater for the entire system.

```bash
flux create image update flux-system \
  --interval=15m \
  --git-repo-ref=flux-system \
  --git-repo-path="./cluster" \
  --checkout-branch=main \
  --push-branch=main \
  --author-name=fluxcdbot \
  --author-email=fluxcdbot@users.noreply.github.com \
  --commit-template="{{range .Changed.Changes}}{{print .OldValue}} -> {{println .NewValue}}{{end}}" \
  --export > ./flux-system-automation.yaml
```

> [!NOTE]
> 
> `flux-system` is the default source name. Check it with `flux get source git`