feast-dev · ntkathole · Aug 18, 2026 · Jul 17, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026
diff --git a/.secrets.baseline b/.secrets.baseline
@@ -957,7 +957,7 @@
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/api/v1/featurestore_types.go",
         "hashed_secret": "44e17306b837162269a410204daaa5ecee4ec22c",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 970
+        "line_number": 1029
       }
     ],
     "infra/feast-operator/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go": [
@@ -966,21 +966,21 @@
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go",
         "hashed_secret": "f914fc9324de1bec1ad13dec94a8ea2ddb41fc87",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 842
+        "line_number": 909
       },
       {
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go",
         "hashed_secret": "44e17306b837162269a410204daaa5ecee4ec22c",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 903
+        "line_number": 970
       },
       {
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go",
         "hashed_secret": "c2028031c154bbe86fd69bef740855c74b927dcf",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 1605
+        "line_number": 1672
       }
     ],
     "infra/feast-operator/api/v1alpha1/featurestore_types.go": [
@@ -1165,14 +1165,14 @@
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/internal/controller/services/repo_config.go",
         "hashed_secret": "44e17306b837162269a410204daaa5ecee4ec22c",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 133
+        "line_number": 137
       },
       {
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/internal/controller/services/repo_config.go",
         "hashed_secret": "e2fb052132fd6a07a56af2013e0b62a1f510572c",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 241
+        "line_number": 245
       }
     ],
     "infra/feast-operator/internal/controller/services/services.go": [
@@ -1181,7 +1181,7 @@
         "filename": "infra/feast-operator/internal/controller/services/services.go",
         "hashed_secret": "36dc326eb15c7bdd8d91a6b87905bcea20b637d1",
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 184
+        "line_number": 233
       }
     ],
     "infra/feast-operator/internal/controller/services/tls_test.go": [
@@ -1564,5 +1564,5 @@
       }
     ]
   },
-  "generated_at": "2026-08-18T09:56:16Z"
+  "generated_at": "2026-08-18T12:17:21Z"
 }
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@
     * [5 — Security](how-to-guides/feast-operator/05-security.md)
     * [6 — Batch & Jobs](how-to-guides/feast-operator/06-batch-and-jobs.md)
     * [7 — OpenLineage & Materialization](how-to-guides/feast-operator/07-openlineage-and-materialization.md)
+    * [8 — MLflow Integration](how-to-guides/feast-operator/08-mlflow-integration.md)
 * [Feast Production Deployment Topologies](how-to-guides/production-deployment-topologies.md)
 * [Online Server Performance Tuning](how-to-guides/online-server-performance-tuning.md)
 * [Customizing Feast](how-to-guides/customizing-feast/README.md)

@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+# Guide 8 — MLflow Integration
+
+The operator auto-discovers MLflow on RHOAI/ODH clusters and enables experiment tracking
+for every FeatureStore deployment. When the MLflow operator is present and healthy, Feast
+pods receive MLflow configuration automatically — no manual YAML editing required.
+
+---
+
+## Auto-discovery
+
+The operator lists all `MLflow` CRs (`mlflow.opendatahub.io/v1`) in the cluster and uses
+the first one with an `Available=True` or `Ready=True` condition. When found, it populates
+`tracking_uri` from `status.address.url` and `ui_url` from `status.url`.
+
+If the MLflow CR does not report conditions (older operator versions), auto-discovery will
+not activate. Set `trackingUri` explicitly in that case.
+
+> **No MLflow?** The FeatureStore stays Ready. Non-MLflow FeatureViews and all other Feast
+> services are completely unaffected.
+
+---
+
+## FeatureStore CR configuration
+
+### Auto-enabled (default when MLflow is present)
+
+No `spec.mlflow` needed. The operator auto-enables when an Available MLflow CR is detected:
+
+```yaml
+apiVersion: feast.dev/v1
+kind: FeatureStore
+metadata:
+  name: my-store
+spec:
+  feastProject: my_project
+  services:
+    onlineStore: {}
+    registry: {}
+    ui: {}
+```
+
+### Explicit configuration
+
+Override defaults or enable additional features:
+
+```yaml
+apiVersion: feast.dev/v1
+kind: FeatureStore
+metadata:
+  name: my-store
+spec:
+  feastProject: my_project
+  services:
+    onlineStore: {}
+    registry: {}
+    ui: {}
+  mlflow:
+    enabled: true
+    trackingUri: "https://custom-mlflow.example.com:8443"
+    uiUrl: "https://dashboard.example.com/mlflow"
+    trackingAuth: "kubernetes-namespaced"
+    autoLog: true
+    autoLogEntityDf: true
+    entityDfMaxRows: 50000
+    logOperations: true
+    opsExperimentSuffix: "-feast-ops"
+```
+
+### Opt-out
+
+Disable MLflow even when the MLflow operator is present:
+
+```yaml
+spec:
+  mlflow:
+    enabled: false
+```
+
+---
+
+## Field reference
+
+| Field | Type | Default | Description |
+|-------|------|---------|-------------|
+| `enabled` | bool | auto-detected | Master switch for MLflow integration |
+| `trackingUri` | string | auto-discovered | MLflow tracking server URI (in-cluster, from `status.address.url`) |
+| `uiUrl` | string | auto-discovered | Browser-reachable MLflow URL for Feast UI lineage links (from `status.url`) |
+| `trackingAuth` | *string | `"kubernetes-namespaced"` | Auth method for Feast pods calling MLflow |
+| `autoLog` | *bool | `true` | Auto-log feature metadata on every retrieval |
+| `autoLogEntityDf` | *bool | `false` | Save entity DataFrame as artifact |
+| `entityDfMaxRows` | *int32 | `100000` | Skip artifact for large DataFrames |
+| `logOperations` | *bool | `false` | Log `feast apply` / `materialize` to ops experiment |
+| `opsExperimentSuffix` | *string | `"-feast-ops"` | Ops experiment name suffix |
+| `extraConfig` | map[string]string | — | Additional YAML fields (coerced to native types) |
+
+---
+
+## Authentication
+
+The operator injects `MLFLOW_TRACKING_AUTH` into all Feast pod containers. The MLflow
+Python client's auth plugin system uses this env var to attach credentials to tracking
+server requests.
+
+| `trackingAuth` value | Behavior |
+|---------------------|----------|
+| `"kubernetes-namespaced"` (default) | SA token + `X-MLFLOW-WORKSPACE: <namespace>` header. Multi-tenant on RHOAI. |
+| `"kubernetes"` | SA token only. Single-tenant setups. |
+| `"basic"` | HTTP Basic auth via `MLFLOW_TRACKING_USERNAME` / `MLFLOW_TRACKING_PASSWORD` env vars. |
+| `"bearer"` | Static bearer token from `MLFLOW_TRACKING_TOKEN` env var. |
+| `""` (empty string) | No auth header. Local dev or unprotected MLflow. |
+
+No Kubernetes RoleBinding is needed for MLflow tracking API access. The MLflow server
+validates the SA token directly via TokenReview.
+
+---
+
+## Tracking URI resolution order
+
+1. Explicit `trackingUri` in the FeatureStore CR
+2. Auto-discovered from MLflow CR `status.address.url` (first Available/Ready CR)
+3. `MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI` environment variable (on workbench pods, injected by the MLflow operator)
+4. MLflow default (`./mlruns`)
+
+---
+
+## UI URL resolution order
+
+Used for browser hyperlinks in Feast UI lineage panels:
+
+1. Explicit `uiUrl` in the FeatureStore CR
+2. `MLFLOW_UI_URL` environment variable
+3. Auto-discovered from MLflow CR `status.url` (external gateway route)
+4. Falls back to `trackingUri` (works for local dev)
+
+---
+
+## Graceful degradation
+
+| Scenario | Behavior |
+|----------|----------|
+| MLflow operator not installed | No `mlflow` block in YAML; FeatureStore stays Ready |
+| MLflow CR exists but not Ready | Discovery returns empty; MLflow stays off |
+| Tracking URI becomes unreachable | SDK logs a warning; feature retrieval is not blocked |
+| `spec.mlflow.enabled: false` | MLflow integration explicitly disabled |
+
+---
+
+## Workbench usage
+
+In a RHOAI workbench notebook connected to the FeatureStore:
+
+```python
+from feast import FeatureStore
+
+store = FeatureStore(...)  # from mounted client config
+
+with store.mlflow.start_run(run_name="training"):
+    df = store.get_historical_features(
+        entity_df=entity_df,
+        features=["driver_stats:conv_rate", "driver_stats:acc_rate"],
+    ).to_df()
+    model = train(df)
+    store.mlflow.log_model(model, "model")
+```
+
+> **Dependency**: the Feast image must include `feast[mlflow]` (`mlflow` or `mlflow-skinny`).
+
+---
+
+## RBAC permissions
+
+The operator needs `get`, `list`, `watch` on `mlflows` in the `mlflow.opendatahub.io` API
+group. This is included in the default operator ClusterRole.
+
+```yaml
+- apiGroups:
+    - mlflow.opendatahub.io
+  resources:
+    - mlflows
+  verbs:
+    - get
+    - list
+    - watch
+```
+
+---
+
+## See also
+
+- [API field reference — `MlflowConfig`](https://github.com/feast-dev/feast/blob/stable/infra/feast-operator/docs/api/markdown/ref.md)
+- [MLflow DataSource reference](../../reference/mlflow.md)
+- [Guide 5 — Security](05-security.md) (RBAC / OIDC auth)
+- [Guide 7 — OpenLineage & Materialization](07-openlineage-and-materialization.md)
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ look for store-specific YAML options in the Feast SDK docs.
 | 5 | [Security](05-security.md) | Kubernetes RBAC roles vs OIDC auth; TLS for all servers |
 | 6 | [Batch Jobs](06-batch-and-jobs.md) | `batchEngine` ConfigMap contract, `cronJob` for scheduled materialization |
 | 7 | [OpenLineage & Materialization](07-openlineage-and-materialization.md) | Lineage transports, API key Secret, materialization batch size |
+| 8 | [MLflow Integration](08-mlflow-integration.md) | Auto-discovery, experiment tracking, auth, Feast UI lineage |
 
 ---
 
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ look for store-specific YAML options in the Feast SDK docs.
 - **"How do I enable Kubernetes RBAC or OIDC auth?"** → [Guide 5](05-security.md)
 - **"How do I schedule nightly materialization?"** → [Guide 6](06-batch-and-jobs.md)
 - **"How do I send lineage events to Marquez?"** → [Guide 7](07-openlineage-and-materialization.md)
+- **"How do I connect Feast to MLflow for experiment tracking?"** → [Guide 8](08-mlflow-integration.md)
 - **"What are all valid fields on `ServingConfig`?"** → [API ref](https://github.com/feast-dev/feast/blob/stable/infra/feast-operator/docs/api/markdown/ref.md#servingconfig)
 
 ---

@@ -142,6 +142,59 @@ type OpenLineageConsumerConfig struct {
 	NamespaceMapping map[string]string `json:"namespaceMapping,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// MlflowConfig enables MLflow experiment tracking integration for Feast.
+// When enabled, feature retrieval metadata is automatically logged to MLflow runs
+// and the Feast UI displays lineage from feature views to registered models.
+// +kubebuilder:validation:XValidation:rule="!has(self.extraConfig) || !('enabled' in self.extraConfig) && !('tracking_uri' in self.extraConfig) && !('ui_url' in self.extraConfig) && !('tracking_auth' in self.extraConfig) && !('auto_log' in self.extraConfig) && !('auto_log_entity_df' in self.extraConfig) && !('entity_df_max_rows' in self.extraConfig) && !('log_operations' in self.extraConfig) && !('ops_experiment_suffix' in self.extraConfig)",message="extraConfig must not contain keys that duplicate typed fields (enabled, tracking_uri, ui_url, tracking_auth, auto_log, auto_log_entity_df, entity_df_max_rows, log_operations, ops_experiment_suffix); use the corresponding spec fields instead."
+type MlflowConfig struct {
+	// Enable MLflow integration.
+	Enabled bool `json:"enabled"`
+	// MLflow tracking server URI. When omitted, the operator auto-discovers
+	// from the cluster MLflow CR (status.address.url). Falls back to
+	// MLFLOW_TRACKING_URI env var on pods.
+	// +optional
+	TrackingUri *string `json:"trackingUri,omitempty"`
+	// Browser-reachable MLflow UI URL used for hyperlinks in Feast UI lineage.
+	// When omitted, the operator auto-discovers from the MLflow CR status.url
+	// (the external gateway route). Falls back to MLFLOW_UI_URL env var, then
+	// to trackingUri. Only needed when the tracking URI is cluster-internal.
+	// +optional
+	UiUrl *string `json:"uiUrl,omitempty"`
+	// Automatically log feature metadata on every retrieval inside an active MLflow run.
+	// Defaults to true when enabled.
+	// +optional
+	AutoLog *bool `json:"autoLog,omitempty"`
+	// Save entity DataFrame as MLflow artifact on historical retrieval.
+	// Defaults to false.
+	// +optional
+	AutoLogEntityDf *bool `json:"autoLogEntityDf,omitempty"`
+	// Maximum number of entity DataFrame rows to save as an MLflow artifact.
+	// DataFrames exceeding this limit are skipped. Defaults to 100000.
+	// +kubebuilder:validation:Minimum=1
+	// +optional
+	EntityDfMaxRows *int32 `json:"entityDfMaxRows,omitempty"`
+	// Log feast apply and materialize operations to a separate MLflow experiment.
+	// Defaults to false.
+	// +optional
+	LogOperations *bool `json:"logOperations,omitempty"`
+	// Suffix appended to the project name for the operations experiment.
+	// Defaults to "-feast-ops".
+	// +optional
+	OpsExperimentSuffix *string `json:"opsExperimentSuffix,omitempty"`
+	// Authentication method used by Feast pods when calling the MLflow tracking
+	// server. Common values: "kubernetes-namespaced" (token-based, default on
+	// OpenShift AI), "basic", "bearer", or "" (no auth for local/dev).
+	// Defaults to "kubernetes-namespaced".
+	// +optional
+	TrackingAuth *string `json:"trackingAuth,omitempty"`
+	// ExtraConfig holds additional MLflow key-value settings written inline into
+	// the mlflow block of feature_store.yaml. Boolean and integer string values
+	// are coerced to native YAML types. Keys must be valid Feast MlflowConfig
+	// YAML field names.
+	// +optional
+	ExtraConfig map[string]string `json:"extraConfig,omitempty"`
+}
+
 // FeatureStoreSpec defines the desired state of FeatureStore
 // +kubebuilder:validation:XValidation:rule="self.replicas <= 1 || !has(self.services) || !has(self.services.scaling) || !has(self.services.scaling.autoscaling)",message="replicas > 1 and services.scaling.autoscaling are mutually exclusive."
 // +kubebuilder:validation:XValidation:rule="self.replicas <= 1 && (!has(self.services) || !has(self.services.scaling) || !has(self.services.scaling.autoscaling)) || (has(self.services) && has(self.services.onlineStore) && has(self.services.onlineStore.persistence) && has(self.services.onlineStore.persistence.store))",message="Scaling requires DB-backed persistence for the online store. Configure services.onlineStore.persistence.store when using replicas > 1 or autoscaling."
@@ -172,6 +225,12 @@ type FeatureStoreSpec struct {
 	// Written into feature_store.yaml for all service pods.
 	// +optional
 	OpenLineage *OpenLineageConfig `json:"openlineage,omitempty"`
+	// Mlflow enables MLflow experiment tracking integration for Feast.
+	// Written into feature_store.yaml for all service pods and the client ConfigMap.
+	// When omitted and a cluster MLflow instance is detected, defaults to enabled
+	// with the discovered tracking URI.
+	// +optional
+	Mlflow *MlflowConfig `json:"mlflow,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // FeastProjectDir defines how to create the feast project directory.