docs: announce 1.26.0-rc1 (#273)

Closes #266

Signed-off-by: Gabriele Bartolini <[email protected]>
Signed-off-by: Jaime Silvela <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Jaime Silvela <[email protected]>

Author: gbartolini

content/docs/preview.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 release:  1.26.0-rc1 (preview)
 location: /documentation/preview
-release_date: 28 Mon 2025
+release_date: 28 Mar 2025
 release_notes: https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/releases/tag/v1.26.0-rc1
 ---

content/releases/cloudnative-pg-1-26.0-rc1-released/58364dde1adc4a0a8.37186404-2048x1445.jpg

@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+---
+title: "CloudNativePG 1.26.0 RC1 Released!"
+date: 2025-03-28T11:03:23+01:00
+draft: false
+author: gbartolini
+image:
+    url: 58364dde1adc4a0a8.37186404-2048x1445.jpg
+    attribution: from <a href="https://wordpress.org/photos/photo/58364dde1a/">Saurabh</a>
+tags:
+ - release
+ - postgresql
+ - postgres
+ - kubernetes
+ - k8s
+ - cloudnativepg
+ - preview
+ - cnpg
+summary: "The CloudNativePG community is excited to announce the first release candidate of CloudNativePG 1.26! This preview introduces features like declarative offline in-place major upgrades of PostgreSQL, startup and readiness probes for replicas, declarative management of extensions and schemas, and more. Join us in testing these updates to shape the final release."
+---
+
+
+The **CloudNativePG Community** is thrilled to announce the first release
+candidate of CloudNativePG 1.26! This preview release provides an opportunity
+to explore new features and enhancements before the final version is officially
+launched. While refinements may still occur, here’s a look at what’s new.
+
+## Key Features
+
+### Declarative Offline In-Place Major Upgrades of PostgreSQL
+
+You can now trigger an [offline in-place major upgrade](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/postgres_upgrades/)
+by specifying a new operand container image with a higher PostgreSQL major
+version in a cluster, either directly or via image catalogs. During the
+upgrade, the cluster is shut down to ensure data consistency, and
+`pg_upgrade` is invoked to perform the migration. This long-awaited feature simplifies
+major upgrades while maintaining reliability.
+
+### Enhanced Startup and Readiness Probes for Replicas
+
+We have improved Kubernetes
+[startup and readiness probes for PostgreSQL instances](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/instance_manager/),
+introducing a unique capability: the readiness of a replica can now
+be controlled based on its lag from the primary. For example, this allows you
+to ensure that only synchronous replicas with no lag are considered ready for
+promotion, improving high availability management.
+
+### Declarative Management of Extensions and Schemas
+
+The `Database` resource now supports ensuring the presence of one or more
+[extensions](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/declarative_database_management/#managing-extensions-in-a-database)
+in a database and managing their versions. Additionally, you can declaratively
+define the existence of [`SCHEMA` objects](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/declarative_database_management/#managing-schemas-in-a-database)
+within a PostgreSQL database.
+
+## Important Changes
+
+Starting with this version, we are deprecating native support for Barman Cloud
+on object stores. But don't worry—we've got you covered! We provide clear
+instructions on how to seamlessly migrate your existing clusters to the new
+[Barman Cloud Plugin](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/plugin-barman-cloud).
+A new resource, `BarmanObjectStore`, will replace the `.spec.barmanObjectStore`
+stanza, incorporating the `.spec.backup.retentionPolicy` option.
+
+In CloudNativePG 1.28, Barman Cloud will be fully removed from CloudNativePG’s
+core, making the plugin the only community-supported method for continuous
+backup on object stores. You have until then to complete your migration.
+
+This marks a significant milestone in CloudNativePG’s evolution—the culmination
+of a multi-year effort that introduced CNPG-I, our extensible plugin interface.
+It is a crucial step toward making CloudNativePG a backup-agnostic solution
+while also enabling leaner operand images by removing the need to bundle Barman
+Cloud directly.
+
+Additionally, in version 1.26, the `hibernate` command of the plugin now
+leverages the declarative hibernation capability. Instead of executing an
+imperative hibernation process that destroyed replica PVCs, it will now
+annotate the cluster, aligning with CloudNativePG’s declarative approach.
+
+## Get Involved and Make a Difference!
+
+This release candidate offers a unique opportunity to test the new features in your
+environment before the final release. Although **not recommended for production
+use**, simulating your workloads can help uncover potential issues and validate
+feature stability.
+
+Your feedback is vital to ensuring that CloudNativePG 1.26 maintains its
+reputation as the premier Kubernetes operator for PostgreSQL.
+
+[Learn more about testing and contributing](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview)!
+
+## There's More...
+
+Explore other improvements in this release, including:
+
+- A new annotation to enable/disable webhook validation.
+- A configuration option to set the TCP timeout for replicas, improving
+  failover recovery speed.
+- Integration with autoscalers like Karpenter for better node drain management.
+
+Dive into the full details in the
+[release notes for 1.26 RC1](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/release_notes/v1.26/).
+
+## Testing
+
+The stability of each CloudNativePG release relies on the community’s
+engagement. Testing your workloads with this release candidate helps identify
+bugs and regressions early.
+
+- View the [open issues for the 1.26 release](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/milestone/25).
+- Report bugs directly on [GitHub](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/issues/new/choose).
+
+## Release Timeline
+
+CloudNativePG 1.26 RC1 is the first in a series of release candidates.
+Additional RCs may follow as needed before the final release, currently planned
+in the second half of April 2025.
+
+## Join the Community
+
+Join our vibrant, open-source, vendor-neutral community! [Connect with us](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg?tab=readme-ov-file#communications)!
+
+Thank you for your continued support of CloudNativePG. Your contributions help
+us advance the Kubernetes-native PostgreSQL experience!
+
+<!--
+# About CloudNativePG
+
+[CloudNativePG](https://cloudnative-pg.io) is an open-source Kubernetes
+Operator specifically designed for PostgreSQL workloads. It manages the entire
+lifecycle of a PostgreSQL cluster, including bootstrapping, configuration, high
+availability, connection routing, and comprehensive backup and disaster
+recovery mechanisms. By leveraging PostgreSQL's native streaming replication,
+CloudNativePG efficiently distributes data across pods, nodes, and zones using
+standard Kubernetes patterns, enabling seamless scaling of replicas in a
+Kubernetes-native manner. Originally developed and supported by
+[EDB](https://www.enterprisedb.com/), CloudNativePG is a CNCF Sandbox project
+and the sole PostgreSQL operator in this category.
+
+-->
+<!--
+Tweet
+🚀 Exciting news! CloudNativePG 1.26.0 RC1 is here! Test new features like major in-place upgrades, startup and readiness probes for replicas, and declarative extensions management.
+
+LINK
+
+#CloudNativePG #PostgreSQL #Kubernetes #OpenSource
+
+--->
+<!--
+LinkedIn
+🚀 **Exciting News! CloudNativePG 1.26.0 RC1 Released!** 🚀
+
+The CloudNativePG Community is thrilled to announce the release of the first candidate for CloudNativePG 1.25! This release candidate introduces powerful new features, including:
+
+🔹 Declarative Offline In-Place Major Upgrades of PostgreSQL
+🔹 Enhanced Startup and Readiness Probes for Replicas
+🔹 Declarative Management of Extensions and Schemas
+
+We invite you to test this preview release and share your feedback to help us deliver a stable, reliable final version. Your input is invaluable to the open-source community!
+
+LINK
+
+Join our vibrant community, share your insights, and stay updated on the latest developments by following us and joining our Slack channel.
+
+#CloudNativePG #PostgreSQL #Kubernetes #OpenSource #ReleaseCandidate
+-->