Andero Johnson enhanced observability in the apache/cassandra-sidecar repository by adding INDEX_STATUS exposure for Cassandra 5.0 secondary indexes. Leveraging backend development skills in Java and deep knowledge of Cassandra, Andero updated the GossipInfoResponse class and its associated parser tests to include index health information. This technical approach allowed clients to parse and monitor index status, improving troubleshooting and monitoring capabilities for distributed systems. The implementation maintained backward compatibility with existing GossipInfo consumers and continuous integration pipelines. Andero’s work demonstrated a focused, in-depth contribution that addressed a specific monitoring gap, delivering measurable value for Cassandra 5.0 deployments in production environments.