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This example demonstrates the parameter flow from PipelineRun through Pipeline to individual Tasks, including how to handle extra parameters.

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Example

apiVersion: tekton.dev/v1
kind: Pipeline
metadata:
  name: pipeline-with-extra-params
spec:
  params:
  - name: pl-param-x
    type: string
  - name: pl-param-y
    type: string
  tasks:
  - name: add-params
    taskRef:
      name: add-params
    params:
    - name: a
      value: "$(params.pl-param-x)"
    - name: b
      value: "$(params.pl-param-y)"
---
apiVersion: tekton.dev/v1
kind: Task
metadata:
  name: add-params
  annotations:
    description: |
      A simple task that sums the two provided integers
spec:
  params:
  - name: a
    type: string
    description: The first integer
  - name: b
    type: string
    description: The second integer
  steps:
  - name: sum
    image: mirror.gcr.io/bash
    script: |
      #!/usr/bin/env bash
      echo -n $(( "$(inputs.params.a)" + "$(inputs.params.b)" ))
---
apiVersion: tekton.dev/v1
kind: PipelineRun
metadata:
  generateName: pipelinerun-with-extra-params
spec:
  params:
  - name: pl-param-x
    value: "100"
  - name: pl-param-y
    value: "200"
    # the extra parameter
  - name: pl-param-z
    value: "300"
  pipelineRef:
    name: pipeline-with-extra-params

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How It Works

1

PipelineRun Provides Parameters

The PipelineRun provides three parameters: pl-param-x, pl-param-y, and pl-param-z. Note that pl-param-z is extra and not used by the pipeline.
2

Pipeline Accepts Two Parameters

The Pipeline only declares two parameters (pl-param-x and pl-param-y). The extra parameter is ignored without causing an error.
3

Pipeline Passes Parameters to Task

The Pipeline maps its parameters to the task’s parameters using $(params.pl-param-x) syntax. The pipeline parameter names don’t need to match the task parameter names.
4

Task Executes with Parameters

The task receives the parameter values and performs the addition operation using bash arithmetic.

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Parameter Mapping

Parameters flow through three levels: 
PipelineRun params → Pipeline params → Task params
Each level can have different parameter names:
  • PipelineRun: pl-param-x → Pipeline: pl-param-x → Task: a
  • PipelineRun: pl-param-y → Pipeline: pl-param-y → Task: b

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Extra Parameters

Tekton allows PipelineRuns to provide extra parameters that aren’t used by the Pipeline. This can be useful for:
  • Forward compatibility when adding new parameters
  • Reusing PipelineRun templates across different pipelines
  • Conditional parameter usage (though not in this example)

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Expected Output

300
The task adds 100 + 200 = 300.

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Alternative Syntax

Note that the task uses $(inputs.params.a) which is equivalent to the shorter $(params.a) syntax. Both are supported for backward compatibility.

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Key Concepts

  • Parameter Flow: Parameters cascade from PipelineRun → Pipeline → Task
  • Parameter Mapping: Each level can rename parameters when passing them down
  • Extra Parameters: PipelineRuns can provide more parameters than the Pipeline declares
  • Type Safety: Parameters have types (string, array, object) that are validated

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Next Steps

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