The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for lifecycle processing of declarative artifacts. Declarative artifacts defining a target state for application content related to a software application are read. When running, the software application includes runtime artifacts executing in a containerized environment. Model definition objects for processing during runtime of the software application based on the declarative artifacts are created and stored in a model repository at a container associated with the software application. The model repository is scanned as well as the runtime artifacts executing as part of the software application in the containerized runtime environment to identify a model definition object from the model repository for processing at runtime of the software application. An operation related to a runtime artifact to run as part of the running software application at the containerized runtime environment is executed based on input from the identified model definition object.