Pod-Level Checkpoint/Restore

[rst0git]

Enhancement Description

• One-line enhancement description (can be used as a release note): Enable support for Pod-level checkpoint and restore.
• Kubernetes Enhancement Proposal:
• Discussion Link:
  • WG Checkpoint Restore weekly meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZMtHBibXfTw4cQerM4O4DJonzVs3W7Hp2K5ml6pTufs/edit
• PRs by stage and milestone:
  • Alpha - v1.36
    • KEP (k/enhancements) update PR(s):
    • Code (k/k) update PR(s):
    • Docs (k/website) update PR(s):

Please keep this description up to date. This will help the Enhancement Team to track the evolution of the enhancement efficiently.

[rst0git]

/sig node
/wg checkpoint-restore
/assign

[rst0git]

/stage alpha

[rst0git]

/cc @viktoriaas @adrianreber @haircommander

[haircommander]

/label lead-opted-in
/milestone v1.36

[Rajalakshmi-Girish]

Hello @rst0git 👋, v1.36 Enhancements team here.

This is a reminder of the upcoming PRR freeze on Wednesday 4th February 2026 (AoE) / Thursday 5th February 2026, 12:00 UTC.

This enhancement is targeting stage alpha for v1.36 (correct me, if otherwise)

Here's where this enhancement currently stands:

• PR open or merged with the KEP's PRR questionnaire filled out. - PENDING
• PR open or merged with kep.yaml updated with the stage, latest-milestone, and milestone struct filled out. - PENDING
• PR open or merged with a PRR approval file with the PRR approver listed for the stage the KEP is targeting.- PENDING

For this KEP, we would just need to update the following:

• Open KEP-5823: Pod-Level Checkpoint/Restore #5851 for review
• Make sure KEP's PRR questionnaire filled out
• Add a PRR approval file with the PRR approver mentioned for the stage the KEP is targeting

Note that the PR is not required to be approved or merged by the PRR freeze deadline. Having the PRR questionnaire filled out by the deadline will help ensure that the PRR team has enough time to review your KEP before Enhancements Freeze on Wednesday 11th February 2026 (AoE) / Thursday 12th February 2026, 12:00 UTC. For more information on the PRR process, see here.

The status of this enhancement is marked as At risk for PRR freeze. Please keep the issue description up-to-date with appropriate stages as well.

If you anticipate missing PRR freeze, you can file an exception request in advance. Thank you!