Upgrading Cluster Version

---
name: upgrading-cluster-version
description: Guides CockroachDB version upgrades with tier-appropriate procedures. Self-Hosted covers manual rolling binary replacement with finalization control. Advanced/BYOC covers Console-initiated major upgrades, maintenance windows for patches, and release channel selection. Standard and Basic upgrades are fully automatic with no customer action required. Use when planning, executing, or monitoring a version upgrade.
compatibility: Self-Hosted requires CLI and SQL access with admin role. Advanced/BYOC requires Cloud Console with Cluster Admin role. Standard/Basic upgrades are automatic — SQL access needed only for post-upgrade verification.
metadata:
  author: cockroachdb
  version: "2.0"
---

# Upgrading Cluster Version

Guides CockroachDB version upgrades end-to-end. Before providing procedures, this skill gathers deployment context to deliver only the steps relevant to the operator's tier.

## When to Use This Skill

- Planning or executing a version upgrade (Self-Hosted)
- Initiating a major version upgrade via Cloud Console (Advanced, BYOC)
- Configuring how patches are applied (Advanced, BYOC)
- Verifying upgrade completion (all tiers)
- Deciding whether to finalize or roll back (Self-Hosted)

**For pre-upgrade health check:** Use [reviewing-cluster-health](../reviewing-cluster-health/SKILL.md).
**For node drain during Self-Hosted upgrade:** Use [performing-cluster-maintenance](../performing-cluster-maintenance/SKILL.md).
**For maintenance window configuration:** Use [performing-cluster-maintenance](../performing-cluster-maintenance/SKILL.md).