I think this is where the operator pattern really shines. By defining a custom resource that contains the cluster configuration, the operator can detect certain

I think this is where the operator pattern really shines. By defining a custom resource that contains the cluster configuration, the operator can detect certain types of changes, such as upgrading Postgres to a new major version, and automate that change the same way that you'd do it manually. Of course, if such an operator doesn't already exist, its on you to build it, but with popular databases like Postgres, they are generally already out there in some form. That said, I'm not sure if existing Postgres operators handle your specific example.