Update docs for 2.18

Author: matthchr

.github/workflows/create-release-experimental.yml

@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ jobs:
             
             The recommended way to supply `crdPattern` is using [asoctl template](https://azure.github.io/azure-service-operator/tools/asoctl/#template):
             ```bash
-            asoctl export template --source https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/releases/download/experimental/azureserviceoperator_experimental.yaml --crd-pattern "<pattern>" | kubectl apply -f -
+            asoctl export template --source https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/releases/download/experimental/azureserviceoperator_experimental.yaml --crd-pattern "<pattern>" | kubectl apply --server-side=true -f -
             ```
 
             This release is only intended for developers wishing to try out the latest features, some of which may not be fully implemented.

ROADMAP.md

@@ -8,13 +8,12 @@ We target a new release of ASO approximately every two months, though this may v
 
 Our current release plan:
 
-| Version                                                                |   Estimated Release |
-| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------: |
-| [2.18.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/37) | Early February 2026 |
-| [2.19.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/38) |      Mid April 2026 |
-| [2.20.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/39) |       Mid June 2026 |
-| 2.21.0                                                                 |     Mid August 2026 |
-| 2.22.0                                                                 |    Mid October 2026 |
+| Version                                                                | Estimated Release |
+| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------: |
+| [2.19.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/38) |    Mid April 2026 |
+| [2.20.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/39) |     Mid June 2026 |
+| [2.21.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/40) |   Mid August 2026 |
+| 2.22.0                                                                 |  Mid October 2026 |
 
 Where linked, versions go to a list of feature and bugs that are planned to be included in that release.
 
@@ -32,6 +31,7 @@ Official releases of ASO v2:
 
 | Version                                                                        |     Release Date |                                                                                        |
 | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------: | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| [2.18.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/38)         | 24 February 2026 |                                                                                        |
 | [2.17.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/36)         |  8 December 2025 | Release cycle was abbreviated to get key items out before the 2025/2026 holiday season |
 | [2.16.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/milestone/35)         |  22 October 2025 |
 | [2.15.0](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/releases/tag/v2.15.0) |   20 August 2025 |                                                                                        |

docs/hugo/content/contributing/create-a-new-release.md

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ title: Creating a new release
 11. [Update the ROADMAP](#update-roadmap) to reflect the new release.
 12. [Update Breaking Changes](#update-breaking-changes) if there are any.
 13. [Create a blog post](#create-a-blog-post) highlighting the key aspects of the release.
+14. Post a message in the Slack channel.
 
 ## Catalog breaking changes
 
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ Perform a simple smoke test to make sure the new release is capable of starting
 8. Use asoctl to install the new release
 
    ``` bash
-   ./asoctl export template --version v2.7.0 --crd-pattern "resources.azure.com/*;network.azure.com/*" | kubectl apply -f -
+   ./asoctl export template --version v2.18.0 --crd-pattern "resources.azure.com/*;network.azure.com/*" | kubectl apply --server-side=true -f -
    ```
 
 9. Watch while ASO starts

docs/hugo/content/guide/breaking-changes/breaking-changes-v2.18.0.md

@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+title: "v2.18.0 Breaking Changes"
+linkTitle: "v2.18.0"
+weight: -55  # This should be 5 lower than the previous breaking change document
+---
+## Breaking changes
+
+- **`Storage.Tier` removed from `StorageAccount` spec (`storage/v20250601`)**: The `Tier` property on `StorageAccount.Spec.Sku` has been removed. This field was marked as `readonly` in the upstream TypeSpec migration ([azure-rest-api-specs openapi.json#L12317](https://github.com/Azure/azure-rest-api-specs/blob/main/specification/storage/resource-manager/Microsoft.Storage/stable/2025-06-01/openapi.json#L12317)). The `Tier` value has always been effectively ignored by Azure - it is computed from the `Name` field (e.g., `Standard_LRS` → Standard tier). Users specifying this field in their CRDs will need to remove it.
+
+- **`DataEncryption.GeoBackupEncryptionKeyStatus` and `DataEncryption.PrimaryEncryptionKeyStatus` removed from `dbforpostgresql/FlexibleServer` spec (`v20250801`)**: These two fields have been removed from the `DataEncryption` object on the PostgreSQL FlexibleServer spec. These fields were always read-only but never documented as such until now. The upstream spec now treats these as readonly/status-only properties. Users specifying these fields will need to remove them from their CRDs.
+
+- **`insights/v1api20240101preview/ScheduledQueryRule` API version removed**: The preview API version `2024-01-01-preview` for `ScheduledQueryRule` has been completely removed as it was deprecated and removed upstream. Users using this API version should migrate to a supported version if they haven't already
+
+## Upcoming breaking changes
+
+* Will remove containerservice ManagedCluster and AgentPool api version v1api20240402preview in v2.19 of ASO.

docs/hugo/content/guide/installing-from-yaml.md

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ weight: -4
 1. Download and install the latest version of [asoctl]({{<relref "asoctl#installation">}}).
 2. Install [the latest **v2+** release](https://github.com/Azure/azure-service-operator/releases) of Azure Service Operator.
    ```bash
-   asoctl export template --version v2.6.0 --crd-pattern "<your pattern>" | kubectl apply -f -
+   asoctl export template --version v2.6.0 --crd-pattern "<your pattern>" | kubectl apply --server-side=true -f -
    ```
 
    When specifying `--crd-pattern`, ensure you choose only the CRDs you need, for example: