The model is base yaml with patches applied to it results in final yaml that get sent to the api, so the typical structure for us is to have the base yaml live

The model is base yaml with patches applied to it results in final yaml that get sent to the api, so the typical structure for us is to have the base yaml live with the service source, be maintained by the service owners and include all environment-agnostic properties. We then have one folder per targeted environment for that service which includes any patches and the kustomization.yaml manifest. Basically in line with what other replies have mentioned.