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+[//]: # (The syntax preceeding this line is a comment marker used to help guide the author in populating this document)
+[//]: # (to github. Unlike HTML comments commonly used throughout istio.io documentation, this comment will not be rendered)
+[//]: # (by github. Comments must be separated by carriage return preceding and concluding the text and be a single line.)
+
+[//]: # (This is a living document representing the maturity of a feature. Completion of this template enables Istio work groups)
+[//]: # (to collect information on potential new functionality. This template should be completed before users are exposed to)
+[//]: # (any new experimental feature. Please complete this template during development.)
+
+[//]: # (The feature implementation section must be completed before submission of the document.)
+
+# Feature:
+
+[//]: # (All information in this section is mandatory.)
+
+**Feature name:**
+
+Standalone Istio Operator
+
+[//]: # (The name of the feature, e.g. Multiple control planes)
+
+**Primary lead(s):**
+
+Martin Ostrowski
+
+[//]: # (The primary lead or leads responsible for the feature. These individuals serve as a point of contact for the feature.)
+
+**Short description:**
+
+[//]: # (A short description of the feature. One or two sentences maximum.)
+
+
+**Design Docs:**
+
+[Istio Operator Overview](https://docs.google.com/document/d/136m1oPSA89q-MXPhEMnAwPZcI2yLiZLZXLL_ltItbuc/edit#heading=h.xw1gqgyqs5b)
+[Istio Operator Design](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_FpIaQx0eb05iXMLAnzgETp2cV4NGgLsPG-VHlUTOlQ/edit#heading=h.kcaw1qrzv2y7)
+[Istio Install Operator Design](https://docs.google.com/document/d/11j9ZtYWNWnxQYnZy8ayZav1FMwTH6F6z6fkDYZ7V298/edit#heading=h.7zgnj8bwqfld)
+[Helm Migration to Istio Operator](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P7GAWKH8kiI9SC83TIjyEfBmUbBaRreDwciQiDNu_Sc/edit#heading=h.mjr32gvnkdmd)
+[Integrate Istio Operator into istioctl](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZSqI0qSHCSmLqWSscaxEfLnWXSjzyyzeA903pYkpKQ/edit#heading=h.u2k8rqep28j3)
+[Istio Operator CLI reference](https://docs.google.com/document/d/16SWW14zrwFKc9OzH6biMQD1u9INllzMa56jde9vgQkM/edit#heading=h.k46l2lwylfnj)
+
+[//]: # (Design docs for feature)
+
+
+**Relevant Documentation:**
+
+[Operator API Open Items](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XF-9HswZUcORuBiDdCoIl1TSVcfTYTBTQeJyOC2U_YM/edit)
+
+[//]: # (Links to relevant documentation for feature)
+
+**RFC:**
+
+[//]: # (Link to RFC for feature)
+
+
+---
+
+## Experimental
+
+### Requirements:
+
+[//]: # (All information in this section is mandatory for promotion. Please modify the links in this)
+[//]: # (section.)
+
+- [ ] [User stories](insert_your_link_here) reviewed in a work group meeting.
+
+[//]: # (User stories are a way to communicate user value. User stories follow the style)
+[//]: # (as a [type of user], I want [an action] so that [a benefit/a value]. Istio currently has no user)
+[//]: # (story template. Maybe you can make one?)
+
+[//]: # (User stories must be presented in a work group meeting. They need no approval and are later integrated)
+[//]: # (into the RFCs, which do need approval for alpha. You may find value to negotiate within the work group where the)
+[//]: # (user stories are presented to help clarify the user stories.)
+
+- [ ] [RFC Authored] - [create an RFC using template](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ewJoCcw5-04crH-M0xw4zFxz1cfwVCPnNyW4K3m4Yyc/template/preview).
+
+[//]: # (An RFC is mandatory to graduate to experimental. The RFC does not have to be reviewed in a work group)
+[//]: # (meeting to graduate to experimental.)
+
+- [ ] [Documentation](insert_your_link_here) for enabling and using the feature.
+
+[//]: # (The documentation instructions may exist on the developer wiki or the team drive. They may include instructions)
+[//]: # (for building running a `istioctl experimental command`, or using the preview profile,)
+[//]: # (or any other relevant information.)
+
+- [ ] [Feedback plan](insert_your_link_here).
+
+[//]: # (This may include user feedback meetings, discuss.istio.io conversations, GitHub issues, or mailing lists.)
+
+- [ ] Disabled by default.
+
+- [ ] No impact on performance when the feature is disabled.
+
+
+[//]: # (Once all other items are completed, features.yaml should be updated to promote the feature)
+
+- [ ] [features.yaml](https://github.com/istio/enhancements/blob/master/features.yaml) updated for this feature
+---
+
+## Alpha
+
+### Requirements: 
+
+**Design**
+
+- [x] RFC has been approved describing the intention of the feature as well as the user stories behind the feature. 
+
+**Config**
+
+- [x] Explicit user action is required to enable this feature (e.g. a config field, config resource, or installation action). 
+
+> Link to instructions for enabling
+
+**Docs**
+
+- [x] Reference docs are published to preliminary.istio.io or the Istio wiki.
+- [x] Basic feature docs are published on preliminary.istio.io describing what the feature does, how to use it, and any caveats. 
+- [x] Release notes entries added as appropriate
+- [x] Upgrade notes entries added as appropriate
+
+**Tests**
+
+- [x] Automated integration tests cover core use cases with the feature enabled. 
+- [x] When disabled, the feature does not affect system stability or performance. 
+
+**API**
+
+- [x] Initial API review.
+
+**Approvals**
+
+- [x] The appropriate work group(s) have reviewed and approved promotion of the feature.
+- [x] The TOC has reviewed and approved promotion of the feature as part of the
+	roadmap for a release.
+
+**Promotion**
+
+[//]: # (Once all other items are completed, features.yaml should be updated to promote the feature)
+
+- [x] [features.yaml](https://github.com/istio/enhancements/blob/master/features.yaml) updated for this feature
+
+---
+
+## Beta
+
+### Requirements: 
+
+**Design**
+
+- [x] Design doc describing the intention of the feature, how it will be
+	implemented, and any thoughts on how to test the feature has been approved by
+	relevant work group leads
+- [x] Feature coverage and test plans written and approved.
+
+**Docs** 
+
+- [x] Documentation on istio.io includes performance expectations; may have caveats. 
+- [x] Documentation on istio.io includes samples/tutorials. 
+- [x] Documentation on istio.io includes appropriate glossary entries. 
+- [x] All new documentation containing user actions includes istio.io tests.
+- [x] Release notes have been added. 
+- [x] Upgrade notes have been added. 
+
+**Tests**
+
+- [x] Integration tests cover feature edge cases
+- [x] End-to-end tests cover samples/tutorials
+- [x] Fixed issues have tests to prevent regressions
+- [x] Stability/stress test suite includes coverage for the feature.
+
+**Performance**
+
+- [x] Feature coverage and test plans written and approved 
+- [x] Tests exist with the feature enabled that can be integrated with our automated performance testing.
+
+**API**
+
+- [x] TOC has reviewed the API and determined it to be complete. 
+
+**Tooling**
+
+- [x] Any necessary tooling to use/debug the feature has been implemented and is complete. 
+
+**Bugs**
+
+- [x] Feature has no known major issues.
+
+**Approvals**
+
+- [x] The appropriate work group(s) have reviewed and approved promotion of the feature.
+- [x] The supportability review panel has reviewed promotion of the feature.  
+- [x] The TOC has reviewed and approved promotion of the feature as part of the
+	road map for a release.
+
+
+**Promotion**
+
+[//]: # (Once all other items are completed, features.yaml should be updated to promote the feature)
+
+- [x] [features.yaml](https://github.com/istio/enhancements/blob/master/features.yaml) updated for this feature
+---
+
+## Stable
+
+### Requirements: 
+
+**Performance**
+
+- [ ] Latency, throughput, and scalability are quantified and documented on
+	istio.io. 
+
+**Bugs**
+
+- [ ] Feature has no known major issues. 
+
+**Approvals**
+
+- [ ] The appropriate work group(s) have reviewed and approved promotion of the feature.
+- [ ] The [supportability review panel](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w0epyFhhDSf_TwFEfa_lrn1v61mXNJKpEp_kUgp4sSc/edit#) has reviewed the feature in order to find any supportability concerns.  
+- [ ] The TOC has reviewed and approved promotion of the feature as part of the
+	roadmap for a release.
+
+
+**Promotion**
+
+[//]: # (Once all other items are completed, features.yaml should be updated to promote the feature)
+
+- [ ] [features.yaml](https://github.com/istio/enhancements/blob/master/features.yaml) updated for this feature