diff --git a/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml b/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
index 79816fb..1ab8a0d 100644
--- a/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
+++ b/deploy/subscriptions.crd.yaml
@@ -63,6 +63,11 @@ spec:
                 sql:
                   description: The SQL being implemented by this pipeline.
                   type: string
+                hints:
+                  description: The hints being used by this pipeline.
+                  type: object
+                  additionalProperties:
+                    type: string
                 resources:
                   description: The YAML generated to implement this pipeline.
                   type: array
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
index 54de616..cb336b9 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Acl.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Access control rule (colloquially, an Acl)
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Access control rule (colloquially, an Acl)")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1Acl implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
index 5987ebe..16df131 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * AclList is a list of Acl
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "AclList is a list of Acl")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
index bfe2c69..7cd96fa 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpec.java
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
  * A set of related ACL rules.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "A set of related ACL rules.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclSpec {
   /**
    * The resource access method.
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
index 03d2ddb..7a2659d 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclSpecResource.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * The resource being controlled.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "The resource being controlled.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclSpecResource {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_KIND = "kind";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_KIND)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
index 92f93a8..a0de51e 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1AclStatus.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Status, as set by the operator.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Status, as set by the operator.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1AclStatus {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
index a0d61ab..68464b7 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopic.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Kafka Topic
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Kafka Topic")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopic implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
index 24f482d..b9442b9 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * KafkaTopicList is a list of KafkaTopic
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "KafkaTopicList is a list of KafkaTopic")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
index 48cf1ef..937939b 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec.java
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
  * Desired Kafka topic configuration.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Desired Kafka topic configuration.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpec {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_CLIENT_CONFIGS = "clientConfigs";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_CLIENT_CONFIGS)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
index f1774fb..62f99e3 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 /**
  * V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs
  */
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecClientConfigs {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_CONFIG_MAP_REF = "configMapRef";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_CONFIG_MAP_REF)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
index 27dd1fb..8af64e1 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Reference to a ConfigMap to use for AdminClient configuration.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Reference to a ConfigMap to use for AdminClient configuration.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicSpecConfigMapRef {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_NAME = "name";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_NAME)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
index 62e2db1..3fb8eb5 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
  * Current state of the topic.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Current state of the topic.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1KafkaTopicStatus {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
index c4033cd..3f95148 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1Subscription.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Hoptimator Subscription
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Hoptimator Subscription")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1Subscription implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
index b283664..b8d2538 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionList.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
  * SubscriptionList is a list of Subscription
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "SubscriptionList is a list of Subscription")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionList implements io.kubernetes.client.common.KubernetesListObject {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION = "apiVersion";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_API_VERSION)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
index 6ad7693..501afd3 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  * Subscription spec
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Subscription spec")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_DATABASE = "database";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_DATABASE)
diff --git a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
index 261bcdb..4ebef0b 100644
--- a/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
+++ b/hoptimator-models/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/models/V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.java
@@ -24,18 +24,24 @@
 import io.swagger.annotations.ApiModelProperty;
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
 
 /**
  * Filled in by the operator.
  */
 @ApiModel(description = "Filled in by the operator.")
-@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2023-08-25T02:17:32.460Z[Etc/UTC]")
+@javax.annotation.Generated(value = "org.openapitools.codegen.languages.JavaClientCodegen", date = "2024-02-05T21:19:50.466Z[Etc/UTC]")
 public class V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus {
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_FAILED = "failed";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_FAILED)
   private Boolean failed;
 
+  public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_HINTS = "hints";
+  @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_HINTS)
+  private Map<String, String> hints = null;
+
   public static final String SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE = "message";
   @SerializedName(SERIALIZED_NAME_MESSAGE)
   private String message;
@@ -76,6 +82,37 @@ public void setFailed(Boolean failed) {
   }
 
 
+  public V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus hints(Map<String, String> hints) {
+    
+    this.hints = hints;
+    return this;
+  }
+
+  public V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus putHintsItem(String key, String hintsItem) {
+    if (this.hints == null) {
+      this.hints = new HashMap<>();
+    }
+    this.hints.put(key, hintsItem);
+    return this;
+  }
+
+   /**
+   * The hints being used by this pipeline.
+   * @return hints
+  **/
+  @javax.annotation.Nullable
+  @ApiModelProperty(value = "The hints being used by this pipeline.")
+
+  public Map<String, String> getHints() {
+    return hints;
+  }
+
+
+  public void setHints(Map<String, String> hints) {
+    this.hints = hints;
+  }
+
+
   public V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus message(String message) {
     
     this.message = message;
@@ -186,6 +223,7 @@ public boolean equals(Object o) {
     }
     V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus = (V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus) o;
     return Objects.equals(this.failed, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.failed) &&
+        Objects.equals(this.hints, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.hints) &&
         Objects.equals(this.message, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.message) &&
         Objects.equals(this.ready, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.ready) &&
         Objects.equals(this.resources, v1alpha1SubscriptionStatus.resources) &&
@@ -194,7 +232,7 @@ public boolean equals(Object o) {
 
   @Override
   public int hashCode() {
-    return Objects.hash(failed, message, ready, resources, sql);
+    return Objects.hash(failed, hints, message, ready, resources, sql);
   }
 
 
@@ -203,6 +241,7 @@ public String toString() {
     StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
     sb.append("class V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus {\n");
     sb.append("    failed: ").append(toIndentedString(failed)).append("\n");
+    sb.append("    hints: ").append(toIndentedString(hints)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    message: ").append(toIndentedString(message)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    ready: ").append(toIndentedString(ready)).append("\n");
     sb.append("    resources: ").append(toIndentedString(resources)).append("\n");
diff --git a/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java b/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
index 85e5f0b..1db3931 100644
--- a/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
+++ b/hoptimator-operator/src/main/java/com/linkedin/hoptimator/operator/subscription/SubscriptionReconciler.java
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Optional;
@@ -79,13 +80,17 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
         object.setStatus(status);
       }
 
+      if (object.getSpec().getHints() == null) {
+        object.getSpec().setHints(new HashMap<>());
+      }
+
       // We deploy in three phases:
       // 1. Plan a pipeline, and write the plan to Status.
       // 2. Deploy the pipeline per plan.
       // 3. Verify readiness of the entire pipeline.
       // Each phase should be a separate reconcilation loop to avoid races.
       // TODO: We should disown orphaned resources when the pipeline changes.
-      if (status.getSql() == null || !status.getSql().equals(object.getSpec().getSql())) {
+      if (diverged(object.getSpec(), status)) {
         // Phase 1
         log.info("Planning a new pipeline for {}/{} with SQL `{}`...", kind, name, object.getSpec().getSql());
 
@@ -121,6 +126,7 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
           status.setResources(combined);
 
           status.setSql(object.getSpec().getSql());
+          status.setHints(object.getSpec().getHints());
           status.setReady(null);  // null indicates that pipeline needs to be deployed
           status.setFailed(null);
           status.setMessage("Planned.");
@@ -175,7 +181,7 @@ public Result reconcile(Request request) {
     return result;
   }
 
-  Pipeline pipeline(V1alpha1Subscription object) throws Exception {
+  private Pipeline pipeline(V1alpha1Subscription object) throws Exception {
     String name = object.getMetadata().getName();
     String sql = object.getSpec().getSql();
     String database = object.getSpec().getDatabase();
@@ -291,6 +297,12 @@ private static boolean isReady(DynamicKubernetesObject obj) {
     return true;
   }
 
+  // Whether status has diverged from spec (i.e. we need to re-plan the pipeline)
+  private static boolean diverged(V1alpha1SubscriptionSpec spec, V1alpha1SubscriptionStatus status) {
+    return status.getSql() == null || !status.getSql().equals(spec.getSql())
+        || !status.getHints().equals(spec.getHints());
+  }
+
   public static Controller controller(Operator operator, HoptimatorPlanner.Factory plannerFactory, Resource.Environment environment) {
     Reconciler reconciler = new SubscriptionReconciler(operator, plannerFactory, environment);
     return ControllerBuilder.defaultBuilder(operator.informerFactory())