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Checklist · devops-cicd

DevOps & CI/CD MVP checklist — Step by Step 2026

This checklist helps DevOps and CI/CD startups and teams launch their MVP effectively. It covers essential phases from core setup to compliance, ensuring a smooth launch and addressing common pain points like integration, scale, cost, and adoption.

50 checklist items 7 min read
Reviewed by Roman Trotsko & Denis TrotskoLast reviewed April 2026

Phase 01

Core Infrastructure Setup

10 tasks
  • 1.1
    critical1 day

    Provision Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP)

    Set up your cloud infrastructure using services like AWS EC2, Azure VMs, or Google Compute Engine. Consider using infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation.

  • 1.2
    critical1 day

    Configure Networking (VPC, Subnets, Security Groups)

    Configure your network architecture, including VPCs, subnets, and security groups, to ensure proper isolation and security. Use tools like AWS VPC or Azure Virtual Network.

  • 1.3
    critical3 hours

    Set up a Repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)

    Choose a code repository service like GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket for version control and collaboration.

  • 1.4
    high4 hours

    Configure Base Operating System (Linux, Windows)

    Configure your base operating system with necessary packages and security settings. Consider using a hardened image for security.

  • 1.5
    high6 hours

    Implement Basic Monitoring (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, Prometheus)

    Implement basic monitoring using tools like CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, or Prometheus to track key metrics and identify potential issues.

  • 1.6
    critical8 hours

    Establish Basic Security Measures (Firewall, IAM)

    Implement basic security measures such as firewalls and IAM policies to protect your infrastructure and data.

  • 1.7
    medium4 hours

    Set up DNS and Domain Management

    Configure DNS records and manage your domain using a service like Route 53 or Cloudflare.

  • 1.8
    medium4 hours

    Configure a CDN (CloudFront, Azure CDN)

    Set up a Content Delivery Network (CDN) using services like CloudFront or Azure CDN to improve performance and availability.

  • 1.9
    high6 hours

    Implement Basic Backup and Recovery

    Implement a basic backup and recovery strategy to protect against data loss.

  • 1.10
    low4 hours

    Document Infrastructure Setup

    Document your infrastructure setup, including configurations, dependencies, and security measures.

Phase 02

CI/CD Pipeline Implementation

10 tasks
  • 2.1
    critical4 hours

    Choose a CI/CD Tool (Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI)

    Select a CI/CD tool like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI based on your needs and budget.

  • 2.2
    critical1 day

    Configure Build Automation

    Set up build automation to compile, test, and package your code. Use tools like Make, Maven, or Gradle.

  • 2.3
    critical1 day

    Implement Automated Testing (Unit, Integration)

    Implement automated unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and reliability. Use tools like JUnit, pytest, or Selenium.

  • 2.4
    high1 day

    Configure Deployment Automation (Ansible, Chef, Puppet)

    Set up deployment automation using tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet to deploy your application to different environments.

  • 2.5
    high2 days

    Set up Environment Management (Docker, Kubernetes)

    Manage your environments using containerization technologies like Docker and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.

  • 2.6
    high8 hours

    Integrate Security Scanning (SonarQube, Snyk)

    Integrate security scanning tools like SonarQube or Snyk into your CI/CD pipeline to identify vulnerabilities.

  • 2.7
    medium6 hours

    Configure Automated Rollbacks

    Set up automated rollbacks to quickly revert to a previous version in case of deployment failures.

  • 2.8
    medium1 day

    Implement Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)

    Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to manage your infrastructure in a declarative way.

  • 2.9
    medium4 hours

    Configure Pipeline Monitoring and Alerts

    Set up monitoring and alerts for your CI/CD pipeline to track build status, deployment success, and error rates.

  • 2.10
    low4 hours

    Document CI/CD Pipeline

    Document your CI/CD pipeline, including configurations, dependencies, and deployment processes.

Phase 03

Integrations and API Configuration

10 tasks
  • 3.1
    high8 hours

    Integrate with Monitoring Tools (Datadog, New Relic)

    Integrate your platform with monitoring tools like Datadog or New Relic to collect and analyze performance data.

  • 3.2
    high6 hours

    Integrate with Alerting Systems (PagerDuty, Opsgenie)

    Integrate with alerting systems like PagerDuty or Opsgenie to receive notifications about critical issues.

  • 3.3
    medium4 hours

    Integrate with Collaboration Tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams)

    Integrate with collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate communication and collaboration.

  • 3.4
    medium1 day

    Implement API Gateway (Kong, Apigee)

    Implement an API gateway using tools like Kong or Apigee to manage and secure your APIs.

  • 3.5
    high1 day

    Configure API Authentication and Authorization

    Configure API authentication and authorization using protocols like OAuth or JWT.

  • 3.6
    medium4 hours

    Implement API Rate Limiting

    Implement API rate limiting to protect your APIs from abuse and ensure fair usage.

  • 3.7
    medium4 hours

    Implement API Versioning

    Implement API versioning to manage changes to your APIs without breaking existing integrations.

  • 3.8
    low8 hours

    Document APIs (Swagger, OpenAPI)

    Document your APIs using tools like Swagger or OpenAPI to make them easier for developers to use.

  • 3.9
    medium6 hours

    Set up API Monitoring and Analytics

    Set up monitoring and analytics for your APIs to track usage, performance, and errors.

  • 3.10
    high8 hours

    Test API Integrations

    Thoroughly test your API integrations to ensure they are working correctly.

Phase 04

Security and Compliance

10 tasks
  • 4.1
    critical1 day

    Implement Vulnerability Scanning (Nessus, OpenVAS)

    Implement vulnerability scanning using tools like Nessus or OpenVAS to identify security weaknesses.

  • 4.2
    critical2 days

    Perform Penetration Testing

    Perform penetration testing to simulate real-world attacks and identify vulnerabilities.

  • 4.3
    critical1 day

    Implement Data Encryption (TLS, AES)

    Implement data encryption using protocols like TLS and algorithms like AES to protect sensitive data.

  • 4.4
    high8 hours

    Configure Access Control (RBAC, ACLs)

    Configure access control using Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Access Control Lists (ACLs) to restrict access to resources.

  • 4.5
    high1 day

    Implement Logging and Auditing

    Implement logging and auditing to track user activity and identify security incidents.

  • 4.6
    high2 days

    Comply with Industry Standards (PCI DSS, HIPAA)

    Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards like PCI DSS or HIPAA.

  • 4.7
    medium1 day

    Implement Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

    Implement an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to detect malicious activity.

  • 4.8
    medium1 day

    Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF)

    Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to protect against web-based attacks.

  • 4.9
    low4 hours

    Conduct Security Awareness Training

    Conduct security awareness training for your team to educate them about security threats and best practices.

  • 4.10
    low8 hours

    Document Security Policies and Procedures

    Document your security policies and procedures, including incident response plans.

Phase 05

Launch and Monitoring

10 tasks
  • 5.1
    critical1 day

    Prepare Launch Plan

    Create a detailed launch plan including timelines, responsibilities, and communication strategies.

  • 5.2
    critical1 day

    Perform Final Testing

    Perform final testing to ensure everything is working as expected before launch.

  • 5.3
    critical4 hours

    Deploy to Production

    Deploy your application to the production environment.

  • 5.4
    highOngoing

    Monitor System Performance

    Monitor system performance using tools like Grafana to identify bottlenecks and issues.

  • 5.5
    highOngoing

    Monitor Application Logs

    Monitor application logs to identify errors and security incidents.

  • 5.6
    medium1 day

    Implement Automated Scaling

    Implement automated scaling to handle traffic spikes.

  • 5.7
    medium4 hours

    Set up Automated Health Checks

    Set up automated health checks to detect and resolve issues automatically.

  • 5.8
    highOngoing

    Monitor Security Alerts

    Monitor security alerts and respond to incidents promptly.

  • 5.9
    lowOngoing

    Gather User Feedback

    Gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement.

  • 5.10
    lowOngoing

    Document Post-Launch Activities

    Document all post-launch activities and issues.

Pro tips

  • Prioritize security from the beginning. Implement security scanning early in the CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities before they reach production.
  • Automate everything possible. Use infrastructure-as-code, automated testing, and deployment automation to reduce errors and speed up development cycles.
  • Monitor your systems closely. Use monitoring tools to track performance, identify issues, and ensure uptime.
  • Embrace continuous improvement. Regularly review your processes, tools, and security measures to identify areas for improvement.
  • Document everything. Keep detailed documentation of your infrastructure, CI/CD pipeline, and security policies to facilitate troubleshooting and knowledge sharing.

Frequently asked questions

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