Hi Piyush,

Thanks for the AIP. I’ve added a few comments to the doc. Please take a
look, as I think we should iron out those areas and fully understand the
implications before moving forward.

Regards
- Ephraim

On Tue, 26 May 2026 at 18:24, Przemysław Mirowski <[email protected]> wrote:

> I checked the API - +1. Thanks for writing this up!
>
> Thanks Nathan for mentioning the #63884 PR. It is nice addition (already
> merged), and I think that it will be really useful for users who got used
> to Airflow 2 retry mechanism. I think also that your PR and API-109 are
> complementary as one is focusing on the versioning behaviour for retrying
> task, the latter is focusing on versioning behaviour for new Dag Runs.
> ________________________________
> From: Christos Bisias <[email protected]>
> Sent: 25 May 2026 09:46
> To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment Gating (Building
> on AIP-63)
>
> Hello,
>
> I'm a little late on the discussion but I just came across the AIP and I
> like this idea. I've actually been thinking of working on something
> similar, to allow people to handle a bad rollout by reverting to old code
> for that run without a full slow release pipeline. And this covers it.
>
> In my opinion, this seems more like a natural step towards what dag
> versioning is supposed to do, than a new feature.
>
> Thank you,
> Christos
>
>
> On Mon, May 25, 2026 at 8:15 AM Piyush Maheshwari <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Hi everyone,
> > I wanted to send a gentle nudge to review AIP-109: DAG Version Pinning (
> >
> >
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/AIRFLOW/AIP-109+DAG+Version+Pinning
> > ).
> > If there are no major concerns, I would like to take this to a vote soon.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Piyush
> >
> > On Fri, May 15, 2026 at 7:44 AM Piyush Maheshwari <
> > [email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks for the note, Sumit. Based on the feedback, I've drafted an AIP
> > > that is now up for review.
> > >
> > >
> >
> https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/AIRFLOW/AIP-109+DAG+Version+Pinning
> > >
> > > Would like to get the community's feedback on the same.
> > >
> > > Nathan, I remember seeing your work (the issue and an older PR) while
> > > reviewing all ongoing work related to DAG versions. I agree with the
> PR's
> > > intent, although I haven't reviewed it yet.
> > > I understand your PR makes the version-pinned execution behavior of
> > reruns
> > > and backfills configurable.
> > > However, this discussion revolves around the behavior for new runs
> only.
> > > We need the capability to pin a DAG to a specific version for future
> runs
> > > instead.
> > > Hope that clarifies.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Piyush
> > >
> > > On Thu, May 14, 2026 at 5:11 PM Nathan Hadfield <
> > [email protected]>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> I saw AIP-109 that was created in relation to this discussion and
> > thought
> > >> I’d better mention this PR that I’ve been working on for a while and
> is
> > >> close to being approved.
> > >>
> > >> https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/63884
> > >>
> > >> It is very much related to the motivations described and implements
> the
> > >> desire for control over the behaviour when clearing/backfilling runs.
> > >>
> > >> Happy to discuss best steps for this here or on the PR.
> > >>
> > >> Cheers,
> > >>
> > >> Nathan
> > >>
> > >> From: Przemysław Mirowski <[email protected]>
> > >> Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 21:54
> > >> To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> Subject: Re: [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment Gating
> > >> (Building on AIP-63)
> > >>
> > >> This Message Is From an External Sender
> > >> This message came from outside your organization.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> > P.S. In my opinion, what can be done in/around git, should be done
> > >> there. Recreation of CI/CD in any form inside of Airflow itself is
> > >> something which should not be done.
> > >> > I'm glad we agree on this :) I suppose we just disagree on what is
> > >> possible outside of Airflow :p
> > >>
> > >> I think that we just disagree on what the issue is, not on what is
> > >> possible/should be outside of Airflow.
> > >>
> > >> > I think we are trying to duplicate what we already have in Git.
> > >>
> > >> Not really if we are only referring to version pinning. As far as I am
> > >> aware of how things are working, there is no possibility to determine
> > that
> > >> Dag after e.g. deployment on 1:00:00 PM will be exactly parsed and
> used
> > >> since 1:01:00 PM forward. Basically, what version pinning would
> provide
> > is
> > >> the full control of the time since the given version will be used
> > >> (currently we can only have more-or-less timing which in some cases,
> is
> > not
> > >> sufficient). The "quick revert" is the consequence of having above
> > >> possibility.
> > >>
> > >> Looking at the general concerns, with having that feature or not,
> users
> > >> can pretty easily test things on production, but it just requires more
> > time
> > >> between iterations without it. IMHO it will not change the need for
> > >> Airflow-related platform teams which makes sure, by
> standards/policies,
> > >> that things are properly tested before production deployment. I think
> > that
> > >> assumption that some users will misuse this feature is true (like with
> > most
> > >> of the features really), but on the other hand it would provide more
> > >> control for other users. The other solution possibly would be to make
> > Dag
> > >> Processor work more on "events" instead of "simple" parsing loop (I
> > recall
> > >> that there was some PR couple years ago with PoC of that, but I
> couldn't
> > >> quickly find it).
> > >>
> > >> ________________________________
> > >> From: Jarek Potiuk <[email protected]>
> > >> Sent: 28 April 2026 17:02
> > >> To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> Subject: Re: [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment Gating
> > >> (Building on AIP-63)
> > >>
> > >> Same concerns. I think we are trying to duplicate what we already have
> > in
> > >> Git—branches and reverts, for example—by moving what should be managed
> > as
> > >> part of the development process to Airflow UI.
> > >>
> > >> Almost everything you describe can be done with:
> > >>
> > >> * having a dev/staging system configured properly to use dev/staging
> > >> branches
> > >> * Having a process of managing development and a proper branching
> > strategy
> > >> * single git command (for example, `git revert XXXX` followed by push
> to
> > >> the right branch)
> > >>
> > >> J.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 10:34 AM Pierre Jeambrun <
> [email protected]
> > >
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > At first glance I tend to agree with Jens and Niko.
> > >> >
> > >> > I understand the request, but I agree that this resolves CI/CD and
> > >> testing
> > >> > issues that should probably be remain outside Airflow.
> > >> >
> > >> > On Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 7:43 PM Oliveira, Niko <[email protected]
> >
> > >> > wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > > Hey folks!
> > >> > >
> > >> > > > P.S. In my opinion, what can be done in/around git, should be
> done
> > >> > > there. Recreation of CI/CD in any form inside of Airflow itself is
> > >> > > something which should not be done.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I'm glad we agree on this :) I suppose we just disagree on what is
> > >> > > possible outside of Airflow :p
> > >> > >
> > >> > > But at this point I will bow out of the conversation and let
> others
> > >> weigh
> > >> > > in. I'm not fully convinced any of these requested behaviours
> > require
> > >> > > changes to Airflow (I think that's just masking some dev ops
> work).
> > >> But
> > >> > > also I'm not completely opposed to the change either, I'm more on
> > the
> > >> > > fence, so if others love the feature by all means implement it! :)
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Cheers,
> > >> > > Niko
> > >> > > ________________________________
> > >> > > From: Przemysław Mirowski <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2026 3:06 PM
> > >> > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Subject: RE: [EXT] [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment
> > Gating
> > >> > > (Building on AIP-63)
> > >> > >
> > >> > > CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.
> Do
> > >> not
> > >> > > click links or open attachments unless you can confirm the sender
> > and
> > >> > know
> > >> > > the content is safe.
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > > AVERTISSEMENT: Ce courrier électronique provient d’un expéditeur
> > >> externe.
> > >> > > Ne cliquez sur aucun lien et n’ouvrez aucune pièce jointe si vous
> ne
> > >> > pouvez
> > >> > > pas confirmer l’identité de l’expéditeur et si vous n’êtes pas
> > certain
> > >> > que
> > >> > > le contenu ne présente aucun risque.
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Hi,
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I think that CI/CD and version pining are a little two different
> > >> things
> > >> > > here. In a use cases with some critical systems involved, the
> > >> situation
> > >> > > when the Dag changes the version to the latest without possibility
> > to
> > >> > > determine when it will exactly happen (CI/CD will have some
> > >> more-or-less
> > >> > > time to deploy the change, the same goes for Dag Processor parsing
> > >> time)
> > >> > is
> > >> > > rather hard to do and in some systems it can make change
> deployment
> > >> > harder
> > >> > > and less safe. Of course, the ideal solution would be to have
> proper
> > >> > > non-prod environment, which is fully representative in comparison
> to
> > >> > > production (in some cases exposing non-prod to prod
> > data/traffic/etc.
> > >> is,
> > >> > > just, not an option - e.g. security), but it is not always
> possible
> > >> to do
> > >> > > due to various reasons like costs, licenses, space and/or vendors.
> > I'm
> > >> > > agreeing especially with point 5 of Piyush latest message. Having
> > >> above
> > >> > in
> > >> > > mind, I think that version pinning would be a nice addition to the
> > Dag
> > >> > > Versioning feature with an assumption that it is for critical
> > Airflow
> > >> > Dags
> > >> > > when full control of the Dags version change time is required
> (maybe
> > >> > there
> > >> > > is also another way to achieve that).
> > >> > >
> > >> > > P.S. In my opinion, what can be done in/around git, should be done
> > >> there.
> > >> > > Recreation of CI/CD in any form inside of Airflow itself is
> > something
> > >> > which
> > >> > > should not be done.
> > >> > > ________________________________
> > >> > > From: Oliveira, Niko <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Sent: 23 April 2026 01:50
> > >> > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Subject: Re: [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment Gating
> > >> > (Building
> > >> > > on AIP-63)
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Hey Piyush,
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Thanks for your reply, I do love how clearly it is written and I
> see
> > >> > > exactly the problem you're trying to solve!
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I'm still just not convinced this needs to be done in Airflow, at
> > >> least
> > >> > > not with a first class feature. As interesting as I think your
> > >> > microservice
> > >> > > analogy is, Airflow is not a microservice component, it is a
> (very,
> > >> very)
> > >> > > fancy cron scheduler. And I'm not sure the complexity is worth the
> > use
> > >> > > case. Since any new code added to Airflow must be maintained by
> this
> > >> > > community and we must be cautious that any new pieces serves
> enough
> > >> use
> > >> > > cases/users to make it worth it.
> > >> > > To me this should either be managed outside of an individual
> Airflow
> > >> > > environment e.g. you have an entirely separate staging/gamma/dev
> > >> Airflow
> > >> > > environment, which is exposed to some level of production traffic
> > (to
> > >> > > borrow your microservice analogy) until it can graduate to the
> > >> production
> > >> > > environment. And if you really need on the fly toggling of a
> > version,
> > >> as
> > >> > > you say, Airflow does this quite responsively, if you deploy a new
> > >> > version
> > >> > > of your dags it will parse and start using that new version
> > >> immediately
> > >> > > (the problem you're trying to solve can be a benefit here). You
> can
> > >> even
> > >> > > have multiple versions of your dags deployed at once and use
> > >> > configuration
> > >> > > to control which dag directory Airflow reads from (or move/symlink
> > >> Dags
> > >> > in
> > >> > > and out of the Dags directory as needed from a known good or
> pinned
> > >> > > source). Or use variables or some other parameter store to control
> > >> other
> > >> > > pieces of runtime behaviour inside the Dags themselves. Between
> > CI/CD,
> > >> > dev
> > >> > > ops and making use of existing Airflow primitives I think you can
> > >> achieve
> > >> > > what you're looking for.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > But as always, this is open and community based software, so I'm
> > >> happy to
> > >> > > disagree and commit if the rest of the community thinks this is a
> > >> > valuable
> > >> > > feature :)
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Cheers,
> > >> > > Niko
> > >> > > ________________________________
> > >> > > From: Piyush Maheshwari <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 10:46 PM
> > >> > > To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> > > Subject: RE: [EXT] [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for Deployment
> > Gating
> > >> > > (Building on AIP-63)
> > >> > >
> > >> > > CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.
> Do
> > >> not
> > >> > > click links or open attachments unless you can confirm the sender
> > and
> > >> > know
> > >> > > the content is safe.
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > > AVERTISSEMENT: Ce courrier électronique provient d’un expéditeur
> > >> externe.
> > >> > > Ne cliquez sur aucun lien et n’ouvrez aucune pièce jointe si vous
> ne
> > >> > pouvez
> > >> > > pas confirmer l’identité de l’expéditeur et si vous n’êtes pas
> > certain
> > >> > que
> > >> > > le contenu ne présente aucun risque.
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Hi Ephraim, Jarek, Jens, and Niko,
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Thank you for the candid feedback. I want to clarify a few things,
> > as
> > >> I
> > >> > > completely agree with Jens and Niko that "testing in production"
> is
> > an
> > >> > > anti-pattern. That is absolutely not the intention here.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 1. I view this as bringing standard microservice-like deployment
> > >> maturity
> > >> > > to DAGs.
> > >> > > Before service deployments in our org, code is tested locally, in
> a
> > >> dev
> > >> > > environment, and via strict unit/e2e integration tests before it
> > ever
> > >> > makes
> > >> > > it to main. But even after merging and passing those CI pipelines,
> > we
> > >> > still
> > >> > > use load tests, pre-prod soak times, shadow traffic, and gated
> > >> production
> > >> > > rollouts with automated rollback triggers. Having deployment gates
> > for
> > >> > the
> > >> > > production environment doesn't mean the pre-merge checks weren't
> > >> strict
> > >> > or
> > >> > > that the change wasn't tested beforehand -- it just allows us to
> > place
> > >> > > additional safety gates for the code to take effect, exactly like
> in
> > >> the
> > >> > > service world.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 2. The core issue we are trying to solve is that Airflow currently
> > >> > > inseparably links Code Distribution (a file arriving on the
> > >> dag-processor
> > >> > > and being parsed) with Release Activation (the scheduler executing
> > >> that
> > >> > > code).
> > >> > > To extend the microservices analogy, I can think of the DAG
> > processor
> > >> > > parsing all files as "building the artifact(s)," while the
> scheduler
> > >> and
> > >> > > executor acting on the DAG versions created thereafter as
> > "deploying"
> > >> or
> > >> > > running the changed code.
> > >> > > We simply want to decouple the build from the deployment. This
> does
> > >> not
> > >> > > mean that the code arriving on the dag-processor will be tested
> for
> > >> the
> > >> > > first time straight in production. It should've already passed a
> set
> > >> of
> > >> > > checks in the CI pipeline.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 3. It is also worth calling out that Airflow already supports this
> > >> > > decoupled behavior at the run level for task re-runs and
> > mid-execution
> > >> > DAG
> > >> > > version bumps (by pinning the version for the rest of the
> execution
> > or
> > >> > the
> > >> > > rerun). We are simply trying to expose this existing capability at
> > the
> > >> > DAG
> > >> > > level so users can govern which version new scheduled runs are
> > created
> > >> > > with.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 4. I also agree that Airflow itself should not be aware of our
> CI/CD
> > >> > > pipeline, nor would it manage the deployment orchestration or
> > testing.
> > >> > > For our requirements, I just need Airflow to expose APIs to deploy
> > >> (pin)
> > >> > a
> > >> > > DAG version, and to remove the pin (to restore/enable the default
> > >> > > "auto-deploy latest" behavior).
> > >> > > Beyond that, we intend to use an external release orchestrator
> that
> > >> can
> > >> > > explicitly tell Airflow when a parsed version is actually allowed
> to
> > >> run.
> > >> > > Until that API call is made, the previously pinned version remains
> > >> > active.
> > >> > > This ensures we don't introduce assumptions or awareness of the
> > >> presence
> > >> > of
> > >> > > any external gating mechanisms to Airflow.
> > >> > > Also note that the intention is to keep the default auto-deploy
> > >> behavior
> > >> > > unless a user (or a system on their behalf) explicitly asks
> Airflow
> > to
> > >> > pin
> > >> > > a DAG to a specific version.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 5. Most importantly, this feature provides an incident response
> > >> > "rollback"
> > >> > > behavior. If a bad DAG version slips through CI/CD into
> production,
> > >> > either
> > >> > > an on-call engineer or a rollback-trigger (airflow-external) can
> > >> > instantly
> > >> > > roll back to the previous pinned version via the API/UI to
> mitigate.
> > >> > > Without this, users have to revert the code in Git and wait for
> the
> > >> > entire
> > >> > > CI/CD pipeline and file-sync process to run, which is often too
> slow
> > >> > during
> > >> > > an outage.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > 6. Jarek - You are right, database schema changes can be discussed
> > >> later.
> > >> > > My intention was only to share a very brief summary of how I
> deemed
> > >> it to
> > >> > > be technically feasible for early feedback. I did briefly share
> the
> > >> > > high-level use cases ("Safe Deployment Gating" and "Instant
> > >> Rollbacks")
> > >> > in
> > >> > > the original mail, but I completely agree that aligning on the UX
> > >> first
> > >> > > would be a good next step.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > If there are no major remaining concerns after this response, I
> can
> > >> draft
> > >> > > and share an AIP to detail the UX, followed by a high-level
> > proposal,
> > >> > > caveats and next steps.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Thanks for your time.
> > >> > > Regards,
> > >> > > Piyush
> > >> > >
> > >> > > On Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 5:59 PM Oliveira, Niko <
> [email protected]
> > >
> > >> > > wrote:
> > >> > >
> > >> > > > I am with Jens on this one. I think we're complicating Airflow
> to
> > >> get
> > >> > > > around a bad practice. If stability of your Dags is critical and
> > >> they
> > >> > are
> > >> > > > highly versioned then I think as Jens suggested running them
> > >> through a
> > >> > > > pipeline that first deploys them to a dev or gamma environment
> > which
> > >> > > > verifies that quality of the Dags is what you expect. If
> something
> > >> > slips
> > >> > > > through, then it's just normal software practices of either
> > >> reverting
> > >> > and
> > >> > > > rolling back or rolling forward with a fix pushed through the
> > >> > pipeline. I
> > >> > > > don't think Airflow should be aware of that process or
> opinionated
> > >> > about
> > >> > > it.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Cheers,
> > >> > > > Niko
> > >> > > > ------------------------------
> > >> > > > *From:* Jens Scheffler <[email protected]>
> > >> > > > *Sent:* Monday, April 20, 2026 11:17 AM
> > >> > > > *To:* [email protected] <[email protected]>
> > >> > > > *Subject:* RE: [EXT] [DISCUSS] DAG Version Pinning for
> Deployment
> > >> > Gating
> > >> > > > (Building on AIP-63)
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.
> > Do
> > >> not
> > >> > > > click links or open attachments unless you can confirm the
> sender
> > >> and
> > >> > > know
> > >> > > > the content is safe.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > AVERTISSEMENT: Ce courrier électronique provient d’un expéditeur
> > >> > externe.
> > >> > > > Ne cliquez sur aucun lien et n’ouvrez aucune pièce jointe si
> vous
> > ne
> > >> > > pouvez
> > >> > > > pas confirmer l’identité de l’expéditeur et si vous n’êtes pas
> > >> certain
> > >> > > que
> > >> > > > le contenu ne présente aucun risque.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Hi,
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > I am still quite sceptical. Yes, if such pinning is made, then
> per
> > >> Dag
> > >> > a
> > >> > > > change need to be possible via UI and API. But I still see it as
> > >> > > > checken-and-egg - so you want to run a pinned version but then
> how
> > >> do
> > >> > > > you test the changes (w/o moving a version pin)? Then again some
> > >> test
> > >> > > > mode is needed or per run you need to make a "test run" with
> > another
> > >> > > > version. Smells a bit like mis-using a production system for
> > >> testing.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > On the other hand, yes if all Dags share the same Git repo then
> > >> merging
> > >> > > > a branch to some other will switch all Dags at the same time.
> > Still
> > >> you
> > >> > > > could utilize standard Git tools and cherry-pick individual
> > changes
> > >> and
> > >> > > > no force to always make a full rollout. At least 80% possible
> with
> > >> > > > standard CI/CD tools and Git.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > TLDR I see the danger that instead of a proper CI/CD and test
> > system
> > >> > > > such a feature might feel like you can easily test on a
> production
> > >> > > > system. Effectively it would be needed allowing to start a Dag
> > with
> > >> any
> > >> > > > version to also be able to jump back as a reversion. Even
> though,
> > >> yes,
> > >> > > > agree, all is technically possible.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Jens
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > On 20.04.26 16:40, Jarek Potiuk wrote:
> > >> > > > > +1 to what Ephraim wrote. I think that was a natural next step
> > we
> > >> > > > > discussed, but it needs significant refinement, starting with
> > the
> > >> > > actual
> > >> > > > > use cases it should serve and the UX for user interaction. I
> > think
> > >> > > > related
> > >> > > > > database changes are pretty secondary. Use cases cover runs,
> > >> re-runs,
> > >> > > > > backfills, CI testing, rollbacks, etc. Following the
> > >> "documentation
> > >> > > > first"
> > >> > > > > approach discussed in separate thread, describing the context
> > and
> > >> > > > intention
> > >> > > > > of what we want to achieve is much more important than DB
> schema
> > >> > > changes.
> > >> > > > > Once we know which use cases we want to serve, the DB schema
> > >> changes
> > >> > > and
> > >> > > > > other related items will emerge naturally.
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > On Mon, Apr 20, 2026 at 3:15 PM Ephraim Anierobi <
> > >> > > > [email protected]>
> > >> > > > > wrote:
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > >> Hi Piyush, thanks for starting this discussion.
> > >> > > > >>
> > >> > > > >> I like the proposal. We can introduce an active execution
> > version
> > >> > for
> > >> > > > >> "versioned bundles" and make scheduler/API resolve through
> it.
> > >> The
> > >> > > hard
> > >> > > > >> part of this is making airflow able to distinguish the latest
> > >> parsed
> > >> > > > >> dagmodel's metadata from active scheduling metadata. I will
> > >> suggest
> > >> > > you
> > >> > > > >> draft this in a google docs and share for further
> discussions.
> > >> > > > >>
> > >> > > > >> Regards
> > >> > > > >> - Ephraim
> > >> > > > >>
> > >> > > > >> On Mon, 20 Apr 2026 at 01:31, Piyush Maheshwari <
> > >> > > [email protected]>
> > >> > > > >> wrote:
> > >> > > > >>
> > >> > > > >>> Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jens.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>>> be able to test it? … a Q&A/Testing environment to be able
> to
> > >> > > sign-off
> > >> > > > >>> changes.
> > >> > > > >>> Yes, we’ve have built an isolated airflow environment to run
> > >> > > regression
> > >> > > > >>> checks before promoting to production.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> As you suggested, we’re already running both generic and
> > >> DAG-custom
> > >> > > > >> static
> > >> > > > >>> checks in a CI job as a required step to merge to the main
> > >> branch.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>>> But then the "main" branch might be best suited if
> > >> > > > >>> implemented on the test system
> > >> > > > >>> In this case, problematic commits on “main” can choke other
> > >> > unrelated
> > >> > > > >>> changes.
> > >> > > > >>> So the other option would be to revert the problematic
> commits
> > >> and
> > >> > > > deploy
> > >> > > > >>> forward.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> However, a key limitation with this approach that remains is
> > >> that a
> > >> > > > >> commit
> > >> > > > >>> affecting multiple DAGs goes live for either all DAGs or
> none.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> Second important feature we get with this is instant
> DAG-level
> > >> > > rollback
> > >> > > > >>> without waiting for a revert commit to merge and be picked
> by
> > >> > > airflow.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> I think DAG-level version pinning can also unlock a lot of
> > >> > > flexibility
> > >> > > > >> for
> > >> > > > >>> deployments including tiered rollouts, auto-rollback
> triggers,
> > >> > timed
> > >> > > > >>> deployment windows and so on.
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> Looking forward to hear your thoughts.
> > >> > > > >>> Regards,
> > >> > > > >>> Piyush
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>> On Sun, 19 Apr 2026 at 3:12 PM, Jens Scheffler <
> > >> > [email protected]>
> > >> > > > >>> wrote:
> > >> > > > >>>
> > >> > > > >>>> Thanks Piyush for dropping the discussion!
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> I think in general QA processes are important and a valid
> use
> > >> > case.
> > >> > > So
> > >> > > > >> a
> > >> > > > >>>> kind of pinning Dag versions really is important.
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> Thinking about it, if you pin the version ... how would you
> > >> then
> > >> > be
> > >> > > > >> able
> > >> > > > >>>> to test it? I assume you would need (and should have or
> > invest
> > >> > > into) a
> > >> > > > >>>> Q&A/Testing environment to be able to sign-off changes.
> Both
> > in
> > >> > > > >>>> infrastructure but also for Dag changes.
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> If you are changing Dags first of all static checks on Dag
> > code
> > >> > are
> > >> > > > >> very
> > >> > > > >>>> much proposed as well as you can have tests implemented and
> > >> test
> > >> > > your
> > >> > > > >>>> Dags and logic. Similar like software a CI/CD system will
> be
> > a
> > >> > good
> > >> > > > >>>> setup. Alongside Dag changes also have logical changes that
> > >> mostly
> > >> > > can
> > >> > > > >>>> only be tested in a live system and not as static checks.
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> Have you considered using Git and a set of branches for
> > >> > implementing
> > >> > > > >>>> such staging? E.g. you have a git repo and you plan to make
> > >> > changes.
> > >> > > > >>>> Then you would open a PR for the change and merge it to the
> > >> "main"
> > >> > > > >>>> branch - and there in your CI/CD you can check all sorts of
> > >> static
> > >> > > > >>>> checks and tests. But then the "main" branch might be best
> > >> suited
> > >> > if
> > >> > > > >>>> implemented on the test system. Once you validate the
> changes
> > >> > > > >> end-to-end
> > >> > > > >>>> you could make another PR for example to a "prod" branch.
> And
> > >> if
> > >> > > your
> > >> > > > >>>> production system is only pulling Dags from the "prod"
> branch
> > >> then
> > >> > > you
> > >> > > > >>>> can have this merging strategy as a staging setup.
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> Would this resolve your PING problem? Or which other detail
> > in
> > >> the
> > >> > > use
> > >> > > > >>>> case would require a PIN on top of a staging strategy?
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> Jens
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> P.S.: Have enabled your confluence account after it was
> > >> created in
> > >> > > > >> order
> > >> > > > >>>> to write to Confluence, sorry, typical pitfall after
> account
> > >> > > creation
> > >> > > > >>>> permissions were not set. Now it should work. Let me know
> if
> > >> not.
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>> On 19.04.26 01:40, Piyush Maheshwari wrote:
> > >> > > > >>>>> Hi everyone,
> > >> > > > >>>>> I'm a new contributor to Airflow. I'd like to propose a
> new
> > >> > feature
> > >> > > > >> for
> > >> > > > >>>> Airflow: DAG Version Pinning.
> > >> > > > >>>>> Building on the foundation introduced by AIP-63: DAG
> > >> Versioning (
> > >> > > > >>
> > >> > > >
> > >> > >
> > >> >
> > >>
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/AIRFLOW/AIP-63*3A*DAG*Versioning__;JSsr!!Ci6f514n9QsL8ck!l3ZKTOw996h9qu4NR0VT4ouUryUdk_HmXUAVPbwCHwPwn0N2CCptVdx95-V0BoRFjws9huE_1Vy-THL8jw$
> > >> > > > >>> ),
> > >> > > > >>>> this proposal aims to extend Airflow's capabilities to
> > support
> > >> > true
> > >> > > > >>>> continuous deployment (CD) gating and safer release cycles.
> > >> > > > >>>>> The Problem & Use Cases
> > >> > > > >>>>> Currently, the scheduler always creates DagRuns using the
> > >> latest
> > >> > > > >> parsed
> > >> > > > >>>> DagVersion. This means that the updated DAG code is
> deployed
> > >> > (takes
> > >> > > > >>> effect)
> > >> > > > >>>> right after the dag-processor processes it. While this is
> > great
> > >> > for
> > >> > > > >> rapid
> > >> > > > >>>> development, teams running business-critical pipelines
> often
> > >> need
> > >> > > > >>> stricter
> > >> > > > >>>> deployment mechanisms. Specifically:
> > >> > > > >>>>>     *
> > >> > > > >>>>> Safe Deployment Gating: The ability to pin a DAG to its
> last
> > >> > known
> > >> > > > >>>> stable version while new code is parsed in the background.
> > This
> > >> > > allows
> > >> > > > >>> the
> > >> > > > >>>> new version to be held back until it passes automated
> > >> regression
> > >> > > tests
> > >> > > > >> or
> > >> > > > >>>> receives explicit manual approval.
> > >> > > > >>>>>     *
> > >> > > > >>>>> Instant Rollbacks: If an issue is detected in a newly
> > promoted
> > >> > DAG
> > >> > > > >>>> version, users need the capability to instantly roll back
> to
> > a
> > >> > > > previous
> > >> > > > >>>> version via the UI/API, without having to revert the
> > underlying
> > >> > code
> > >> > > > >> and
> > >> > > > >>>> wait for the repository sync and DAG processing cycle.
> > >> > > > >>>>> High-Level Proposed Solution
> > >> > > > >>>>> Introduce an optional active_dag_version_id to the
> DagModel.
> > >> This
> > >> > > > >> field
> > >> > > > >>>> can be used to pin a DAG version for scheduling and
> > execution,
> > >> > while
> > >> > > > >> the
> > >> > > > >>>> dag-processor can continue to parse and register newer DAG
> > >> > versions.
> > >> > > > >>>>>     *
> > >> > > > >>>>> When this pin is set, the scheduler and API will respect
> the
> > >> > pinned
> > >> > > > >>>> version for creating runs and executing tasks, separating
> the
> > >> > > parsing
> > >> > > > >> of
> > >> > > > >>>> new code from the execution of new code.
> > >> > > > >>>>>     *
> > >> > > > >>>>> If the pin is NULL, the system defaults to the current
> > >> behavior
> > >> > > > >> (always
> > >> > > > >>>> executing the latest parsed version). This way, we can
> > maintain
> > >> > > > >> complete
> > >> > > > >>>> backwards compatibility.
> > >> > > > >>>>> I have put together some detailed notes covering the data
> > >> model
> > >> > > > >>> changes,
> > >> > > > >>>> database migrations, and edge cases with this approach. If
> > >> there
> > >> > is
> > >> > > > >>> general
> > >> > > > >>>> alignment that this fits the vision for Airflow, I would
> like
> > >> to
> > >> > > take
> > >> > > > >>> this
> > >> > > > >>>> proposal through the formal AIP review process.
> > >> > > > >>>>> But I would love to get the community's feedback on the
> > >> feature
> > >> > and
> > >> > > > >> the
> > >> > > > >>>> high-level approach.
> > >> > > > >>>>> I'll also need someone to grant me access to create
> content
> > on
> > >> > the
> > >> > > > >>>> Airflow Confluence wiki.
> > >> > > > >>>>> Thanks for your time!
> > >> > > > >>>>> Regards,
> > >> > > > >>>>> Piyush
> > >> > > > >>>>>
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >> > > > >>>> To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
> > >> > > > >>>> For additional commands, e-mail:
> [email protected]
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > > >>>>
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >> > > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
> > >> > > > For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> >
>

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