DOC-1459 Document new cluster scope default for Redpanda Operator 25.2

modules/deploy/pages/deployment-option/self-hosted/kubernetes/k-deployment-overview.adoc

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ To deploy Redpanda in Kubernetes, you can choose between Helm for its simplicity
 | Multi-tenancy management
 | ✅
 | ⚠️
-| Helm requires separate releases to manage multiple clusters, making management more complex. The Redpanda Operator simplifies this through declarative custom resources.
+| Helm requires separate releases to manage multiple clusters, making management more complex. The Redpanda Operator simplifies multi-tenancy by managing clusters across different namespaces from a single operator instance.
 
 |===
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ TIP: If you are already using the Redpanda Helm chart and want to migrate to the
 [[helm-and-redpanda-operator]]
 === Redpanda Operator
 
-The Redpanda Operator is designed for production-grade Redpanda deployments, offering enhanced lifecycle management, automation, and GitOps compatibility.
+The Redpanda Operator is designed for production-grade Redpanda deployments, offering enhanced lifecycle management, automation, and GitOps compatibility. The Redpanda Operator defaults to cluster scope, enabling it to manage multiple Redpanda clusters across different namespaces from a single operator instance.
 
 The Redpanda Operator directly reconciles Redpanda resources, performing tasks such as installations, updates, and cleanup.
 

modules/deploy/pages/deployment-option/self-hosted/kubernetes/k-production-deployment.adoc

@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ Operator::
 +
 --
 
-NOTE: The Redpanda Operator is namespace scoped. You must install the Redpanda Operator in the same namespace as your Redpanda resource (Redpanda cluster).
 
 . Make sure that you have permission to install custom resource definitions (CRDs):
 +
@@ -109,8 +108,6 @@ spec:
 ```bash
 kubectl apply -f redpanda-cluster.yaml --namespace <namespace>
 ```
-+
-NOTE: The Redpanda resource must be deployed in the same namespace as the Redpanda Operator. Each new deployment of Redpanda requires a separate namespace.
 
 . Wait for the Redpanda Operator to deploy Redpanda using the Helm chart:
 +
@@ -260,19 +257,8 @@ Operator::
 +
 --
 
-. Install another instance of the Redpanda Operator in a different namespace to your existing ones. This Redpanda Operator will manage Redpanda clusters only in its namespace.
-+
-[,bash,subs="attributes+"]
-----
-helm repo add redpanda https://charts.redpanda.com
-helm repo update
-helm upgrade --install redpanda-controller redpanda/operator \
-  --namespace <another-namespace> \
-  --set image.tag={latest-operator-version} \
-  --create-namespace
-----
 
-. Apply a Redpanda resource in the same namespace as your new Redpanda Operator to deploy your new Redpanda cluster.
+. Deploy additional Redpanda clusters in different namespaces. Your existing Redpanda Operator will automatically manage them.
 +
 NOTE: Make sure to use unique node ports for the listeners in your Redpanda resource so that they don't conflict with any existing node ports in your other Redpanda clusters. See <<External access>>.
 +
@@ -283,6 +269,7 @@ apiVersion: cluster.redpanda.com/v1alpha2
 kind: Redpanda
 metadata:
   name: redpanda-two
+  namespace: <different-namespace>
 spec:
   clusterSpec:
     listeners:
@@ -305,6 +292,13 @@ spec:
           default:
             advertisedPorts: [30084]
 ----
+
+. Apply the resource to a different namespace:
++
+```bash
+kubectl apply -f redpanda-cluster-two.yaml --namespace <different-namespace>
+```
+
 --
 Helm::
 +
@@ -660,7 +654,6 @@ rbac:
   annotations: {}
 ----
 
-NOTE: If you use the Redpanda Operator, you must also deploy the Redpanda Operator Helm chart with `rbac.createRPKBundleCRs` set to `true` to give it the required roles.
 
 See also: xref:manage:kubernetes/k-rack-awareness.adoc[]
 

modules/deploy/partials/kubernetes/deploy-operator.adoc

@@ -13,6 +13,24 @@ helm upgrade --install redpanda-controller redpanda/operator \
 <1> This flag specifies the exact version of the Redpanda Operator Helm chart to use for deployment. By setting this value, you pin the chart to a specific version, which prevents automatic updates that might introduce breaking changes or new features that have not been tested in your environment.
 <2> This flag ensures that the CRDs are installed as part of the Redpanda Operator deployment.
 +
+This command deploys the Redpanda Operator in cluster scope (default in v25.2+), allowing it to manage Redpanda clusters across multiple namespaces.
++
+To deploy the Redpanda Operator in namespace scope (managing only resources within its deployment namespace), use:
++
+[,bash,subs="attributes+"]
+----
+helm upgrade --install redpanda-controller redpanda/operator \
+  --namespace <namespace> \
+  --create-namespace \
+  --version {latest-operator-version} \
+  --set crds.enabled=true \
+  --set 'additionalCmdFlags=["--namespace=<namespace>"]' <3>
+----
++
+<3> This flag restricts the Redpanda Operator to manage resources only within the specified namespace.
++
+WARNING: Do not run multiple Redpanda Operators in different scopes (cluster and namespace scope) in the same cluster as this can cause resource conflicts.
++
 :note-caption: Older versions of the Redpanda Operator
 +
 [NOTE]

modules/get-started/pages/release-notes/operator.adoc

@@ -9,15 +9,44 @@ See also:
 * xref:upgrade:k-compatibility.adoc[]
 * xref:upgrade:k-rolling-upgrade.adoc[]
 
-== Redpanda Operator v25.1.x (GA)
+NOTE: Redpanda Console v3 is **not yet available when deploying with the Redpanda Operator**. The Redpanda Operator continues to deploy Redpanda Console v2. To try Redpanda Console v3, you can deploy the link:https://artifacthub.io/packages/helm/redpanda-data/console[standalone Redpanda Console Helm chart^] or xref:deploy:deployment-option/self-hosted/kubernetes/k-production-deployment.adoc[deploy Redpanda using the Redpanda Helm chart] instead of the Redpanda Operator.
 
-link:https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/blob/release/v25.1.x/operator/CHANGELOG.md[Changelog^]
+== Redpanda Operator v25.2.x
+
+link:https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/blob/release/v25.2.x/operator/CHANGELOG.md[Changelog^]
+
+=== Cluster scope by default
+
+Starting in v25.2, the Redpanda Operator defaults to cluster scope instead of namespace scope. This change provides several benefits:
+
+* **Simplified management**: A single operator instance can manage multiple Redpanda clusters across different namespaces.
+* **Reduced resource overhead**: No need to deploy separate operator instances for each namespace.
+* **Centralized upgrades**: Upgrade the operator once to benefit all managed Redpanda clusters.
+* **Cross-namespace management**: Deploy the operator in a dedicated namespace (such as `redpanda-system`) while managing clusters in application namespaces.
+* **Simplified RBAC for debug bundles**: The Redpanda Operator now provides all required permissions for `rpk` debug bundle collection by default. The `rbac.createRPKBundleCRs` flag is no longer needed.
+
+==== Migration considerations
+
+If you're upgrading from a previous version that used namespace-scoped operators:
 
-=== Redpanda Console v3
+* **No manual steps required**: The Redpanda Operator automatically reconciles existing Redpanda clusters across namespaces.
+* **New deployments default to cluster scope**: Regardless of which namespace you deploy the Redpanda Operator to (including `default`).
+* **Delete extra Redpanda Operator deployments**: After upgrading, ensure only one Redpanda Operator remains in the cluster (the one running in cluster scope). Use `helm uninstall` to remove any other Redpanda Operator deployments from previous namespace-scoped installations.
 
-Redpanda Console v3 is **not yet available when deploying with the Redpanda Operator**, due to pending CRD updates. The Redpanda Operator continues to deploy Redpanda Console v2. xref:24.3@ROOT:console:index.adoc[View the Redpanda Console v2 documentation].
+To maintain namespace scope, use the `--set 'additionalCmdFlags=["--namespace=<namespace>"]'` flag when installing or upgrading the Redpanda Operator. The `--namespace` flag in the helm command only specifies which namespace to deploy the Redpanda Operator into and does not affect its operational scope.
 
-To try Redpanda Console v3 in Kubernetes, you can xref:deploy:deployment-option/self-hosted/kubernetes/k-production-deployment.adoc[deploy Redpanda using the Redpanda Helm chart] instead of the Redpanda Operator. Redpanda Console v3 introduces support for unified authentication and authorization with Redpanda, including user impersonation.
+WARNING: Do not run multiple Redpanda Operators in different scopes (cluster and namespace scope) in the same cluster as this can cause resource conflicts.
+
+==== RBAC requirements
+
+Important RBAC considerations for v25.2+:
+
+* **ClusterRole permissions always required**: Regardless of whether you use cluster or namespace scope, the Redpanda Operator always needs ClusterRole permissions.
+* **Automatic configuration**: These permissions are automatically configured when you install the Redpanda Operator.
+
+== Redpanda Operator v25.1.x (GA)
+
+link:https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/blob/release/v25.1.x/operator/CHANGELOG.md[Changelog^]
 
 === Flux removed
 

modules/manage/pages/kubernetes/k-rack-awareness.adoc

@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ You must have the following:
 
 * https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/#kubectl[Kubectl^]: Ensure you have the `kubectl` command-line tool installed and configured to communicate with your cluster.
 
-* If you use the xref:deploy:deployment-option/self-hosted/kubernetes/kubernetes-deploy.adoc[Redpanda Operator], you must deploy it with the `--set rbac.createRPKBundleCRs=true` flag to give it the required ClusterRoles to read node labels and annotations.
 
 == Annotate or label Node resources
 

modules/migrate/pages/kubernetes/helm-to-operator.adoc

@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ You should see `yes` in the output.
 +
 You need these cluster-level permissions to install the Redpanda Operator CRDs in the next steps.
 
-. Install the Redpanda Operator *in the same namespace as your Redpanda Helm chart*:
+. Install the Redpanda Operator. Starting in v25.2, the Redpanda Operator can manage Redpanda clusters in any namespace:
 +
 include::deploy:partial$kubernetes/deploy-operator.adoc[]
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ spec:
 TIP: The Redpanda CRD is compatible with the version of the Helm chart defined in the operator. For details on the structure and configuration options of the Redpanda custom resource, refer to the xref:reference:k-crd.adoc#redpandaclusterspec[Redpanda Operator CRD reference].
 --
 
-. Adopt the Redpanda cluster by creating an instance of the Redpanda custom resource in the same namespace as the Redpanda Operator:
+. Adopt the Redpanda cluster by creating an instance of the Redpanda custom resource:
 +
 ```bash
 kubectl apply -f redpanda-cluster.yaml --namespace <namespace>

modules/troubleshoot/partials/debug-bundle/generate-rpk.adoc

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ spec:
 kubectl apply -f redpanda-cluster.yaml --namespace <namespace>
 ```
 
-NOTE: You must deploy the Redpanda Operator with the `--set rbac.createRPKBundleCRs=true` flag to give it the required ClusterRoles.
+
 
 --
 Helm::

modules/troubleshoot/partials/errors-and-solutions.adoc

@@ -232,18 +232,7 @@ helm repo update
 
 //end::deployment-name-exists[]
 
-//tag::deployment-forbidden-debug-bundle[]
-=== redpanda-rpk-debug-bundle is forbidden
 
-If you see this error, your Redpanda Operator's RBAC settings are out of sync with the Pod-level RBAC in the Redpanda resource:
-
-[.no-copy]
-----
-… forbidden: user "…-operator" … attempting to grant RBAC permissions not currently held …
-----
-
-To fix this error, make sure you haven't disabled xref:reference:k-operator-helm-spec.adoc#rbac-createrpkbundlecrs[`rbac.createRPKBundleCRs`] in the Redpanda Operator chart while still leaving xref:reference:k-crd.adoc#k8s-api-github-com-redpanda-data-redpanda-operator-operator-api-redpanda-v1alpha2-rbac[`spec.clusterSpec.rbac.rpkDebugBundle`] enabled in your Redpanda resource. Either enable both or disable both.
-//end::deployment-forbidden-debug-bundle[]
 
 //tag::deployment-data-dir-not-writable[]
 === Fatal error during checker "Data directory is writable" execution

modules/upgrade/pages/k-compatibility.adoc

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The Redpanda Helm chart and Redpanda Operator are versioned and tested alongside
 
 Starting from version 25.1.1, the Redpanda Operator and Redpanda Helm chart follow a new versioning scheme aligned with Redpanda core releases:
 
-- `v25.1` refers to the Redpanda core feature release deployed by default.
+- `25.1` refers to the Redpanda core feature release deployed by default.
 
 - The patch version denotes the patch version for either the operator or Helm chart. It is not the patch version of Redpanda core.
 
@@ -37,7 +37,13 @@ Redpanda Core has no direct dependency on Kubernetes. Compatibility is influence
 |===
 |Redpanda Core / `rpk` |Helm Chart |Operator Helm Chart |Operator |Helm CLI |Kubernetes
 
-.1+|25.2.x
+.2+|25.2.x
+
+|25.2.x
+|25.2.x
+|25.2.x
+|3.12+
+d|1.30.x - 1.33.x{fn-k8s-compatibility}
 
 |25.1.x
 |25.1.x
@@ -123,12 +129,12 @@ Upgrading the Helm chart may also upgrade Redpanda Console. Because of this buil
 |Redpanda Console |Helm Chart |Operator
 
 |v3.x.x
-|25.1.x
+|25.2.x, 25.1.x
 |Not yet supported
 
 |v2.x.x
 |5.10.1, 5.9.x, 5.8.x
-|25.1.x, 2.4.x, 2.3.x, 2.2.x
+|25.2.x, 25.1.x, 2.4.x, 2.3.x, 2.2.x
 
 |===
 

modules/upgrade/pages/k-upgrade-operator.adoc

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 . Make sure to https://github.com/redpanda-data/redpanda-operator/releases[review the release notes^] to understand any significant changes, bug fixes, or potential disruptions that could affect your existing deployment.
 
-. xref:upgrade:k-compatibility.adoc[Review the Kubernetes compatibility matrix] and determine the version of the Redpanda Operator that is compatible with the Helm chart version you plan to use. The Redpanda Operator must be able to understand and manage the Helm chart and the Redpanda version you are deploying.
+. xref:upgrade:k-compatibility.adoc[Review the Kubernetes compatibility matrix].
 
 . Back up your current Helm values for the Redpanda Operator Helm chart:
 +