API Overview

This section provides reference information for the Kubernetes API.

Here's a summary of each level:

• Alpha:

  • The version names contain alpha (for example, v1alpha1).
  • The software may contain bugs. Enabling a feature may expose bugs. A feature may be disabled by default.
  • The support for a feature may be dropped at any time without notice.
  • The API may change in incompatible ways in a later software release without notice.
  • The software is recommended for use only in short-lived testing clusters, due to increased risk of bugs and lack of long-term support.

• Beta:

  • The version names contain beta (for example, v2beta3).

  • The software is well tested. Enabling a feature is considered safe. Features are enabled by default.

  • The support for a feature will not be dropped, though the details may change.

  • The schema and/or semantics of objects may change in incompatible ways in a subsequent beta or stable release. When this happens, migration instructions are provided. Schema changes may require deleting, editing, and re-creating API objects. The editing process may not be straightforward. The migration may require downtime for applications that rely on the feature.

  • The software is not recommended for production uses. Subsequent releases may introduce incompatible changes. If you have multiple clusters which can be upgraded independently, you may be able to relax this restriction.

  Note: Please try beta features and provide feedback. After the features exit beta, it may not be practical to make more changes.

• Stable:

  • The version name is vX where X is an integer.
  • The stable versions of features appear in released software for many subsequent versions.

API groups

There are several API groups in Kubernetes: