diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d3b33aed5..c1b07136b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 # cdk8s-cli
 
+> ⚠️ Version 1.x of the cdk8s toolchain is deprecated and will become end-of-life on 01/01/25.
+> **[We strongly recommend migrating to `2.x`](https://cdk8s.io/docs/latest/migrating-from-1.x/)**
+
 ### A command-line-interface for CDK for Kubernetes
 
 **cdk8s** is a software development framework for defining Kubernetes
diff --git a/src/cli/index.ts b/src/cli/index.ts
index a2ad94960..a875386e7 100644
--- a/src/cli/index.ts
+++ b/src/cli/index.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,15 @@
-import { yellow } from 'colors';
+import { yellow, red } from 'colors';
 import * as yargs from 'yargs';
 import { upgradeAvailable } from '../upgrades';
 
+if (new Date() < new Date('2025-01-01')) {
+  console.warn(yellow('⚠️ Version 1.x of the cdk8s toolchain is deprecated and will become end-of-life on 01/01/25.'));
+  console.warn(yellow('We strongly recommend migrating to 2.x. See https://cdk8s.io/docs/latest/migrating-from-1.x/'));
+} else {
+  console.warn(red('⚠️ Version 1.x of the cdk8s toolchain is end-of-life (since 01/01/25).'));
+  console.warn(red('We strongly recommend migrating to 2.x. See https://cdk8s.io/docs/latest/migrating-from-1.x/'));
+}
+
 async function main() {
   const ya = yargs
     .option('check-upgrade', { type: 'boolean', desc: 'Check for cdk8s-cli upgrade', default: true })