Add release post for 1.27.0 RC1

content/releases/cloudnative-pg-1-27.0-rc1-released/index.md

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+---
+title: "CloudNativePG 1.27.0 RC1 Released!"
+date: 2025-07-29
+draft: false
+author: fdrees
+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 1.27! This preview introduces features like the dynamic loading of PostgreSQL extensions, and the automatic synchronization of logical decoding slots across high-availability clusters. Join us in testing these updates to shape the final release."
+---
+
+The CloudNativePG Community is thrilled to announce the first release candidate 
+of CloudNativePG 1.27! 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
+
+### Dynamic loading of PostgreSQL extensions 
+
+We introduced the `.spec.postgresql.extensions` field to support mounting 
+PostgreSQL extensions—packaged as OCI-compliant container images—as read-only, 
+immutable volumes within instance pods. This enables dynamic extension 
+management without the need to rebuild base images.
+
+### Logical decoding slot synchronization 
+
+We added the `synchronizeLogicalDecoding` field under 
+`spec.replicationSlots.highAvailability` to enable automatic synchronization 
+of logical decoding slots across high-availability clusters. This ensures 
+seamless continuity for logical replication subscribers after a publisher 
+failover.
+
+### Primary Isolation Check 
+
+The liveness pinger, introduced as an experimental feature in 1.26, has 
+been promoted to stable. A new `.spec.probes.liveness.isolationCheck` section 
+enables primary isolation checks in the liveness probe by default, improving 
+detection and handling of primary connectivity issues in Kubernetes environments.
+
+## There’s More…
+
+Explore other improvements in this release, including:
+
+- An opt-in, experimental feature that enables quorum-based failover to improve 
+safety and data durability during failover events.
+- Added support for user maps for predefined users such as `streaming_replica`, 
+allowing the use of self-managed client certificates with different Common Names 
+in environments with strict policies or shared CAs.
+- Added a new `PhaseFailurePlugin` phase in the `Cluster status` to improve 
+observability of plugin-related failures.
+
+Dive into the full details in the [release notes for 1.27 RC1](https://cloudnative-pg.io/documentation/preview/release_notes/v1.27/).
+
+## 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 1.27 release](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/milestone/28).
+- Report bugs directly on [GitHub](https://github.com/cloudnative-pg/cloudnative-pg/issues/new/choose).
+
+## Release Timeline
+
+CloudNativePG 1.27 RC1 is the first in a series of release candidates. 
+Additional release candidates may follow as needed before the final release, 
+currently planned for the end of August.
+
+# Join the Community
+
+[Connect with our community on your preferred platform](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.