Kubernetes 1.37 release upgrades Metrics API and retires legacy components
The new Kubernetes v1.37, nicknamed Garhwal, moves the Metrics API to stable and deprecates kube-dns, IPVS support, and cgroup v1.
Kubernetes v1.37, dubbed Garhwal, introduces 67 updates, with 16 features graduating to stable status and the Metrics API finally reaching GA after a long beta period. The release deprecates the original kube-dns add-on, requiring clusters to switch to CoreDNS before version 1.40, and announces that kube-proxy will cease supporting Linux IPVS starting with v1.43, moving to nftables instead. It also drops the first version of Linux control groups (cgroup v1) in favor of cgroup v2, limiting node initialization for older setups.
New capabilities include an alpha pod-level checkpoint/restore mechanism, a beta HPAScaleToZero feature that lets the Horizontal Pod Autoscaler scale workloads down to zero, and a resilient watch cache to mitigate API server load spikes. The KYAML format, a stricter subset of YAML, is now stable and usable without altering existing manifests. The development cycle spanned 15 weeks, drawing contributions from over 1,700 individuals across 212 companies.
Why it matters
The update stabilizes key APIs and removes outdated components, simplifying Kubernetes management for the growing number of production users.
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