> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/smp-operator-overview.md).

# SMP Operator overview

The Harness SMP Operator is a tool that bootstraps the Harness Platform in your Kubernetes cluster. It handles namespace creation, registry credentials, Helm chart deployment, and ingress integration, providing a streamlined installation experience for both online and air-gapped environments.

***

### What you will learn from this topic <a href="#what-will-you-learn-in-this-topic" id="what-will-you-learn-in-this-topic"></a>

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

* [Identify what the operator manages](#operator-capabilities) during a Harness Platform installation.
* [Choose a deployment method](#deployment-methods) between Helm and the clustermgr CLI.
* [Follow the quick start path](#quick-start) from prerequisites through to the installer UI.
* [Navigate the SMP Operator documentation](#structure) to find prerequisites, installation, upgrade, and troubleshooting topics.

***

### Before you begin <a href="#before-you-begin" id="before-you-begin"></a>

Before you install the Harness Platform with the SMP Operator, ensure you have the following:

* **Kubernetes cluster**: A cluster that meets the required resource profiles and node sizing. Go to [Kubernetes cluster requirements](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/kubernetes-cluster-requirements.md) to review requirements.
* **Storage classes**: Storage classes configured for EKS, AKS, or GKE. Go to [Storage classes](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/storage-classes.md) to review configuration.
* **DNS and TLS certificates**: DNS resolution and certificate management for your installation. Go to [DNS and TLS certificates](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/dns-and-tls-certificates.md) to review configuration.
* **Registry access**: Online or air-gapped registry configuration for pulling platform images. Go to [Registry setup](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/registry-setup.md) to review configuration.

***

### Interactive walkthrough <a href="#interactive-walkthrough" id="interactive-walkthrough"></a>

Watch this video to learn how to use the Harness SMP Operator to bootstrap the Harness Platform in your Kubernetes cluster.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uxMA-B749k>" %}
Bootstrap the Harness Platform with the Harness SMP Operator
{% endembed %}

***

### Operator capabilities <a href="#operator-capabilities" id="operator-capabilities"></a>

The operator manages the components required to run the Harness Platform in your cluster, so you do not configure each one separately.

* **Deploys**: the Harness Platform Installer Helm chart into your cluster
* **Configures**: registry credentials for pulling platform images
* **Manages**: ingress integration
* **Supports**: air-gapped installations with private registries
* **Handles**: upgrades of existing installations

***

### Deployment methods <a href="#deployment-methods" id="deployment-methods"></a>

Select the method that matches how much of the bootstrap you want to control directly.

The operator can be deployed in two ways:

* Install the `platform-installer` Helm chart directly with `helm install`
* Use the `clustermgr` CLI to bootstrap the chart for you.

The [Install with the SMP Operator](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/install-with-smp-operator.md) guide covers both methods.

***

### Quick start <a href="#quick-start" id="quick-start"></a>

Complete these steps in order to reach a running installation and open the installer UI.

1. Review the [Prerequisites](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites.md)
2. Follow the [Install with the SMP Operator](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/install-with-smp-operator.md) guide using **helm** or **clustermgr**
3. Run [Post-installation checks](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/post-installation-checks.md)
4. Access the installer UI at `https://<your-dns>/pi`

***

### Structure <a href="#structure" id="structure"></a>

The SMP Operator documentation is organized into the following sections.

#### Prerequisites <a href="#prerequisites" id="prerequisites"></a>

Essential requirements before installing. For more information, see [Prerequisites](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites.md).

* [Kubernetes cluster requirements](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/kubernetes-cluster-requirements.md): Resource profiles and node sizing.
* [Storage classes](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/storage-classes.md): EKS, AKS, GKE.
* [DNS and TLS certificates](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/dns-and-tls-certificates.md): DNS resolution and certificate management.
* [Registry setup](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites/registry-setup.md): Online and air-gapped registry configuration.

#### Installation <a href="#installation" id="installation"></a>

Installation methods and post-installation validation. For more information, see [Installation](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install.md).

* [Install with the SMP Operator](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/install-with-smp-operator.md): Online and air-gapped installation.
* [CLI reference](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/cli-reference.md): All flags and options.
* [FIPS-compliant installation](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/fips-compliant-installation.md)
* [Post-installation checks](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/post-installation-checks.md)

#### Upgrade <a href="#upgrade" id="upgrade"></a>

Operator and platform upgrades. For more information, see [Upgrade](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/upgrade.md).

#### Workflow tasks <a href="#workflow-tasks" id="workflow-tasks"></a>

Pre-defined automation tasks. For more information, see [Workflow tasks](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/workflow-tasks.md).

#### Advanced configuration <a href="#advanced-configuration" id="advanced-configuration"></a>

Deep-dive configuration topics. For more information, see [Advanced configuration](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/advanced-configuration/index.md).

#### Support and troubleshooting <a href="#support-and-troubleshooting" id="support-and-troubleshooting"></a>

Common issues and how to resolve them. For more information, see [Support and troubleshooting](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/troubleshooting.md).

***

### Related articles <a href="#related-articles" id="related-articles"></a>

* [Prerequisites](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/prerequisites.md): Review cluster, storage, DNS, TLS, and registry requirements before you install.
* [Install with the SMP Operator](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/install/install-with-smp-operator.md): Install the Harness Platform using Helm or the clustermgr CLI.
* [CLI reference](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/cli-reference.md): Review installation parameters across both the helm and clustermgr flows.
* [Support and troubleshooting](/self-managed-enterprise-edition/use-self-managed-enterprise-edition/smp-installationupgrade/operator-installation/troubleshooting.md): Resolve common issues with your installation.