docs: release announcement for 1.29.0-rc1

content/releases/cloudnative-pg-1-29.0-rc1-released/index.md

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+---
+title: "CloudNativePG 1.29.0 RC1 Released!"
+date: 2026-03-13
+draft: false
+authors:
+ - 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
+ - ServiceAccount
+ - security
+ - networking
+ - ImageCatalogs
+ - extensions
+ - artifacts
+ - podSelectorRefs
+summary: "The CloudNativePG community is excited to announce the first release candidate of CloudNativePG 1.29! This preview revolutionizes extension management through Image Catalogs and the new artifacts ecosystem. Join us in testing these updates to shape the final release."
+---
+
+The CloudNativePG Community is thrilled to announce the first release candidate
+of CloudNativePG 1.29! 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
+
+### PostgreSQL Extensions Ecosystem and Image Catalogs
+
+The most significant architectural advancement in 1.29 is the integration of
+[Image Catalogs](https://cloudnative-pg.io/docs/1.29/image_catalog#image-catalog-with-image-volume-extensions)
+with a new dedicated ecosystem for PostgreSQL extensions. By leveraging the
+[`postgres-extensions-containers`](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/postgres-extensions-containers)
+project and its [official extension images and catalogs](https://cloudnative-pg.io/docs/1.29/imagevolume_extensions#official-extension-images-and-catalogs),
+CloudNativePG now provides a structured way to distribute and manage
+extension-specific images.
+
+This feature allows you to define these extensions within a catalog, ensuring
+that the database engine and its modules are version-aligned, secure, and
+treated as a single cohesive unit. This approach centralizes your image supply
+chain and removes the need for users to manually build and maintain complex
+custom PostgreSQL images.
+
+### Dynamic Network Access Control via Pod Selectors
+
+We’ve introduced a major enhancement to how PostgreSQL network security is
+handled in Kubernetes. By using the new
+[`podSelectorRefs`](https://cloudnative-pg.io/docs/1.29/postgresql_conf/#dynamic-address-resolution-with-podselectorrefs)
+field, you can now
+define `pg_hba.conf` rules that dynamically resolve the IP addresses of client
+pods based on label selectors. This ensures that only authorized workloads in
+the same namespace can connect to your database, eliminating the need for
+manual IP management or static CIDR ranges.
+
+### Shared ServiceAccount Support
+
+CloudNativePG now supports referencing a pre-existing
+[`ServiceAccount`](https://cloudnative-pg.io/docs/1.29/security/#using-a-shared-serviceaccount)
+in `Cluster` and `Pooler` resources. This enables a more streamlined integration
+with cloud provider IAM services, such as AWS IRSA, GCP Workload Identity, and
+Azure Workload Identity.
+
+## There’s More…
+
+Explore other improvements in this release, including:
+
+- Added granular configuration for TLS cipher suites and versions for PgBouncer.
+- Improved reliability by automatically cleaning up failed `pg_upgrade` jobs when an image is reverted.
+
+Dive into the full details in the
+[release notes for 1.29 RC1](https://cloudnative-pg.io/docs/1.29/release_notes/v1.29/).
+
+## 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 1.29 release](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/milestone/33).
+- Report bugs directly on [GitHub](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/issues/new/choose).
+
+## Release Timeline
+
+This is the first release candidate for CloudNativePG 1.29. Further
+candidates will be released only as necessary before the final launch,
+currently planned before the end of March.
+
+## Join the Community
+
+[Connect with our community on your preferred platform](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg#getting-in-touch)!
+
+Thank you for your continued support of CloudNativePG. Your contributions help
+us advance the Kubernetes-native PostgreSQL experience.