Installing a custom CHYT version

By default, the latest stable CHYT version is automatically installed when you start a clique. However, you can manually pin a different required version — this lets you control updates and avoid compatibility and stability issues.

In this section, you’ll find information on when it’s important to specify a version manually, where to find the list of available versions, and how to specify a custom version.

When to specify a version manually

Sometimes, automatic installation of the latest stable version isn’t suitable, so you need to select a CHYT version yourself. Below are possible reasons for such situations:

Compatibility. Some integrations or services work only with a specific CHYT version. If you don’t pin the version, they might not work correctly after an update (for example, if the JSON processing format changes).
Update policies. In organizations, software is often updated only after review (audit) and during pre‑agreed periods (outside peak loads).
Testing. You can create a separate clique with a new CHYT version to test functionality without risking production workflows, or compare results with the old version without affecting service operations.

CHYT version format

A CHYT version has the following format:
ytserver-clickhouse-2.17.16028654~22a615876d+sb,
where:

2.17 — the base version;
16028654~22a615876d+sb — the update identifier.

Where to find available CHYT versions

All available CHYT versions are stored in binary files in Cypress at the path //sys/bin/ytserver-clickhouse.

In addition to binary files with CHYT builds, the directory contains symlinks (files that store references to binary files) for the latest stable and latest base versions.

Ways to specify CHYT versions

The update behaviour depends on the option you choose. There are three approaches:

Strict version specification — for example, ytserver-clickhouse-2.17.16028654~22a615876d+sb — completely disables updates. This is useful when you need absolute stability and predictable system behaviour.
Loose version specification — for example, just the base part ytserver-clickhouse-2.17 — means the system will update the version within the 2.17 range. This is suitable if minor fixes are acceptable but major changes should be avoided.
If no version is specified, the system installs the latest stable CHYT version when you start the clique. This approach is convenient for test environments or systems where stability isn’t critical.

Warning

Updating to a higher stable version only happens when you restart the clique. This applies to both cliques without a specified version and those with a base version specified.

Example:
A new clique is started without specifying an exact version. The system automatically installs the latest stable CHYT version 2.17.some_id. The clique runs continuously: when a new update 2.17.some_new_id or a new base CHYT version 2.18.yet_another_id is released, no automatic update occurs.
Only after restarting the clique will the version automatically update to the new stable version 2.17.some_new_id or 2.18.yet_another_id.

How to install a custom version

Go to Cypress at the path //sys/bin/ytserver-clickhouse.
In the list of available versions, select the required CHYT version or symlink.
Copy the version name (for example, ytserver-clickhouse-2.17).
Open the clique interface as described in the section How to open the clique interface.
Click Edit speclet in the upper-right corner of the Action buttons block, or the button Edit speclet on the Speclet tab in the Tabs panel.
On the left, select the Advanced section.
In the Chyt version field, paste the copied version name (for example, ytserver-clickhouse-2.17).

Useful links:

Clique web interface in YTsaurus
Getting CHYT and ClickHouse versions

Getting CHYT and Clickhouse versions

Advanced settings configuration