diff --git a/.github/workflows/reviewdog.yml b/.github/workflows/reviewdog.yml
index fcb4440..252b903 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/reviewdog.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/reviewdog.yml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
       uses: reviewdog/action-golangci-lint@7708105983c614f7a2725e2172908b7709d1c3e4 # v2.6.2
       with:
         github_token: ${{ secrets.github_token }}
-        golangci_lint_flags: "--config=.golangci.yml"
+        golangci_lint_flags: "--config=.golangci.yml --timeout=5m"
         fail_on_error: true
         filter_mode: diff_context
         reporter: github-pr-review
@@ -50,6 +50,6 @@ jobs:
       uses: reviewdog/action-golangci-lint@7708105983c614f7a2725e2172908b7709d1c3e4 # v2.6.2
       with:
         github_token: ${{ secrets.github_token }}
-        golangci_lint_flags: "--config=.golangci.yml"
+        golangci_lint_flags: "--config=.golangci.yml --timeout=5m"
         fail_on_error: false
         filter_mode: nofilter
diff --git a/cmd/vela-kaniko/build.go b/cmd/vela-kaniko/build.go
index 21443ee..4f4ac33 100644
--- a/cmd/vela-kaniko/build.go
+++ b/cmd/vela-kaniko/build.go
@@ -27,6 +27,10 @@ type Build struct {
 	SingleSnapshot bool
 	// https://github.com/GoogleContainerTools/kaniko#flag---ignore-var-run
 	IgnoreVarRun bool
+	// https://github.com/GoogleContainerTools/kaniko#flag---ignore-path
+	IgnorePath []string
+	// https://github.com/GoogleContainerTools/kaniko#flag---log-timestamp
+	LogTimestamp bool
 }
 
 // SnapshotModeValues represents the available options for setting a snapshot mode.
diff --git a/cmd/vela-kaniko/main.go b/cmd/vela-kaniko/main.go
index 1f5be91..033f6d7 100644
--- a/cmd/vela-kaniko/main.go
+++ b/cmd/vela-kaniko/main.go
@@ -116,6 +116,18 @@ func main() {
 			Usage:    "By default Kaniko ignores /var/run when taking image snapshot. Include this parameter to preserve /var/run/* in destination image.",
 			Value:    true,
 		},
+		&cli.StringSliceFlag{
+			EnvVars:  []string{"PARAMETER_IGNORE_PATH", "KANIKO_IGNORE_PATH"},
+			FilePath: "/vela/parameters/kaniko/ignore_path,/vela/secrets/kaniko/ignore_path",
+			Name:     "build.ignore_path",
+			Usage:    "ignore paths when taking image snapshot",
+		},
+		&cli.BoolFlag{
+			EnvVars:  []string{"PARAMETER_LOG_TIMESTAMPS", "KANIKO_LOG_TIMESTAMPS"},
+			FilePath: "/vela/parameters/kaniko/log_timestamps,/vela/secrets/kaniko/log_timestamps",
+			Name:     "build.log_timestamps",
+			Usage:    "enable timestamps in logs",
+		},
 
 		// Image Flags
 
@@ -248,6 +260,13 @@ func main() {
 			Name:     "repo.compression_level",
 			Usage:    "set the compression level (1-9, inclusive)",
 		},
+		&cli.BoolFlag{
+			EnvVars:  []string{"PARAMETER_COMPRESSED_CACHING", "KANIKO_COMPRESSED_CACHING"},
+			FilePath: "/vela/parameters/kaniko/compressed_caching,/vela/secrets/kaniko/compressed_caching",
+			Name:     "repo.compressed_caching",
+			Usage:    "when set to false, will prevent tar compression for cached layers",
+			Value:    true,
+		},
 		&cli.StringFlag{
 			EnvVars:  []string{"PARAMETER_REPO", "KANIKO_REPO"},
 			FilePath: "/vela/parameters/kaniko/repo,/vela/secrets/kaniko/repo",
@@ -374,6 +393,8 @@ func run(c *cli.Context) error {
 			TarPath:        c.String("build.tar_path"),
 			SingleSnapshot: c.Bool("build.single_snapshot"),
 			IgnoreVarRun:   c.Bool("build.ignore_var_run"),
+			IgnorePath:     c.StringSlice("build.ignore_path"),
+			LogTimestamp:   c.Bool("build.log_timestamps"),
 		},
 		// image configuration
 		Image: &Image{
@@ -398,14 +419,15 @@ func run(c *cli.Context) error {
 		},
 		// repo configuration
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			AutoTag:          c.Bool("repo.auto_tag"),
-			Cache:            c.Bool("repo.cache"),
-			CacheName:        c.String("repo.cache_name"),
-			Compression:      c.String("repo.compression"),
-			CompressionLevel: c.Int("repo.compression_level"),
-			Name:             c.String("repo.name"),
-			Tags:             c.StringSlice("repo.tags"),
-			TopicsFilter:     c.String("repo.topics_filter"),
+			AutoTag:           c.Bool("repo.auto_tag"),
+			Cache:             c.Bool("repo.cache"),
+			CacheName:         c.String("repo.cache_name"),
+			Compression:       c.String("repo.compression"),
+			CompressionLevel:  c.Int("repo.compression_level"),
+			CompressedCaching: c.Bool("repo.compressed_caching"),
+			Name:              c.String("repo.name"),
+			Tags:              c.StringSlice("repo.tags"),
+			TopicsFilter:      c.String("repo.topics_filter"),
 			Label: &Label{
 				AuthorEmail: c.String("label.author_email"),
 				Commit:      c.String("label.commit"),
diff --git a/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin.go b/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin.go
index 8e67721..b9200ab 100644
--- a/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin.go
+++ b/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin.go
@@ -65,6 +65,18 @@ func (p *Plugin) Command() *exec.Cmd {
 
 	flags = append(flags, fmt.Sprintf("--ignore-var-run=%s", strconv.FormatBool(p.Build.IgnoreVarRun)))
 
+	// add paths to be ignored if provided
+	if len(p.Build.IgnorePath) > 0 {
+		for _, path := range p.Build.IgnorePath {
+			flags = append(flags, fmt.Sprintf("--ignore-path=%s", path))
+		}
+	}
+
+	// add timestamps if enabled
+	if p.Build.LogTimestamp {
+		flags = append(flags, "--log-timestamp")
+	}
+
 	// iterate through all image build args
 	for _, arg := range p.Image.Args {
 		// add flag for build args from provided image build arg
@@ -96,6 +108,11 @@ func (p *Plugin) Command() *exec.Cmd {
 		flags = append(flags, fmt.Sprintf("--compression-level=%d", p.Repo.CompressionLevel))
 	}
 
+	// check if compressed caching is disabled
+	if !p.Repo.CompressedCaching {
+		flags = append(flags, "--compressed-caching=false")
+	}
+
 	// add flag for context from provided image context
 	flags = append(flags, fmt.Sprintf("--context=%s", p.Image.Context))
 
diff --git a/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin_test.go b/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin_test.go
index a27d946..42914a5 100644
--- a/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin_test.go
+++ b/cmd/vela-kaniko/plugin_test.go
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command(t *testing.T) {
 			Sha:          "7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
 			Tag:          "v0.0.0",
 			IgnoreVarRun: true,
+			IgnorePath:   []string{"/tmp", ".git"},
+			LogTimestamp: true,
 		},
 		Image: &Image{
 			Args:       []string{"foo=bar"},
@@ -113,18 +115,22 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command(t *testing.T) {
 			InsecurePush:       true,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
 	want := exec.Command(
 		kanikoBin,
 		"--ignore-var-run=true",
+		"--ignore-path=/tmp",
+		"--ignore-path=.git",
+		"--log-timestamp",
 		"--build-arg=foo=bar",
 		"--cache",
 		"--cache-repo=index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
@@ -184,12 +190,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_AutoTag_TagBuild(t *testing.T) {
 			InsecurePush:       true,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -259,12 +266,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_AutoTag_PushBuild(t *testing.T) {
 			InsecurePush:       true,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -330,13 +338,14 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_Labels(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
-			Labels:    []string{"key1=tag1"},
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			Labels:            []string{"key1=tag1"},
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -397,12 +406,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_MultipleTopics(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     label,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             label,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -462,13 +472,14 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_MultipleTopicsWithFilter(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:        true,
-			CacheName:    "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:         []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:      true,
-			TopicsFilter: "^id",
-			Label:        label,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			TopicsFilter:      "^id",
+			Label:             label,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -528,12 +539,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_MultipleTopicsNoTopics(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     label,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             label,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -591,12 +603,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_SnapshotMode(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -657,12 +670,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_UseNewRun(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -723,12 +737,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_TarPath(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -789,12 +804,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_UseSingleSnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -854,12 +870,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_UseIgnoreVarRunFalse(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -918,12 +935,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_UseIgnoreVarRunTrue(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -983,12 +1001,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_ForceBuildMetaData(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1049,12 +1068,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_Mirror(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1114,14 +1134,15 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_With_Compression(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:            true,
-			CacheName:        "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Compression:      "zstd",
-			CompressionLevel: 3,
-			Name:             "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:             []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:          true,
-			Label:            testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Compression:       "zstd",
+			CompressionLevel:  3,
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1182,11 +1203,12 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_NoCacheRepo(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:   true,
-			Name:    "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:    []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag: true,
-			Label:   testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1244,12 +1266,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_NoDryRun(t *testing.T) {
 			PushRetry: 1,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1310,12 +1333,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Command_CustomPlatform(t *testing.T) {
 			InsecurePush:       true,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     testLabel(),
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             testLabel(),
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1378,12 +1402,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Validate(t *testing.T) {
 			DryRun:   false,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     &Label{},
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             &Label{},
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1410,11 +1435,12 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Validate_NoBuild(t *testing.T) {
 			DryRun:   false,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1447,12 +1473,13 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Validate_AutoTag_InvalidBuildTag(t *testing.T) {
 			DryRun:   false,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
-			Label:     &Label{},
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			Label:             &Label{},
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1482,11 +1509,12 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Validate_NoImage(t *testing.T) {
 			DryRun:   false,
 		},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -1513,11 +1541,12 @@ func TestDocker_Plugin_Validate_NoRegistry(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		Registry: &Registry{},
 		Repo: &Repo{
-			Cache:     true,
-			CacheName: "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Name:      "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
-			Tags:      []string{"latest"},
-			AutoTag:   true,
+			Cache:             true,
+			CacheName:         "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Name:              "index.docker.io/target/vela-kaniko",
+			Tags:              []string{"latest"},
+			AutoTag:           true,
+			CompressedCaching: true,
 		},
 	}
 
diff --git a/cmd/vela-kaniko/repo.go b/cmd/vela-kaniko/repo.go
index 450439f..40070aa 100644
--- a/cmd/vela-kaniko/repo.go
+++ b/cmd/vela-kaniko/repo.go
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ type (
 		Compression string
 		// level of compression - 1 to 9 (inclusive)
 		CompressionLevel int
+		// prevent tar compression for cached layers
+		CompressedCaching bool
 		// used for translating the pre-defined image labels
 		Label *Label
 		// labels of the image for the repository