- Very large patches may now be specified to `kubectl patch` with the `--patch-file` flag instead of including them directly on the command line. The `--patch` and `--patch-file` flags are mutually exclusive. ([#93548](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/93548), [@smarterclayton](https://github.com/smarterclayton)) [SIG CLI]

- The `kubectl patch` command no longer exits with exit code 1 when a redundant patch results in a no-op ([#66725](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/66725), [@juanvallejo](https://github.com/juanvallejo))

## Changes by Kind

### API Change

* PATCH (i.e. apply and edit) now supports merging lists of primitives ([#38665](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/38665), [@ymqytw](https://github.com/ymqytw))

volume source is CSI type or it has migrated annotation, when it's deleted, the PersisentVolume controller won't changes its phase to the Failed state. 
  
  With this patch, the external provisioner can remove the finalizer in next reconcile loop. Unfortunately if the provious existing pv has the Failed state, this patch won't take effort. It requires users to remove finalizer. ([#126044](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/126044), [@carlory](https://github.com/carlory)) [SIG Apps...

        """
        Add a *path operation* using an HTTP PATCH operation.

        ## Example

        ```python
        from fastapi import FastAPI
        from pydantic import BaseModel

        class Item(BaseModel):
            name: str
            description: str | None = None

        app = FastAPI()

        @app.patch("/items/")
        def update_item(item: Item):

    builder = builder.head()
    builder = builder.post(requestBody)
    builder = builder.delete(requestBody)
    builder = builder.delete(null)
    builder = builder.put(requestBody)
    builder = builder.patch(requestBody)
    builder = builder.method("", requestBody)
    builder = builder.method("", null)
    builder = builder.tag("")
    builder = builder.tag(null)
    builder = builder.tag(String::class.java, "")

  // DOES NOT prevent that port from being exposed. Any port which is
  // listening on the default "0.0.0.0" address inside a container will be
  // accessible from the network.
  // Modifying this array with strategic merge patch may corrupt the data.
  // For more information See https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/issues/108255.
  // Cannot be updated.
  // +optional
  // +patchMergeKey=containerPort
  // +patchStrategy=merge

* version bump for gci to milestone 53 ([#27210](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/27210), [@adityakali](https://github.com/adityakali))
* kubectl apply: retry applying a patch if a version conflict error is encountered ([#26557](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/26557), [@AdoHe](https://github.com/AdoHe))

* Add the Patch method to the generated clientset. ([#27293](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/27293), [@caesarxuchao](https://github.com/caesarxuchao))
* let patch use --local flag like `kubectl set image` ([#26722](https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/pull/26722), [@deads2k](https://github.com/deads2k))