> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.serverlessapigateway.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.serverlessapigateway.com/glossary/k/kubernetes.md). # Kubernetes An open-source system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. Kubernetes (often abbreviated as K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform originally developed by Google and now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). It automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications across clusters of machines. Kubernetes organizes containers into pods (the smallest deployable units), manages them through deployments and services, and provides built-in mechanisms for load balancing, service discovery, storage orchestration, automated rollouts and rollbacks, and self-healing. Configuration is declarative, typically defined in YAML files that describe the desired state of the system. While serverless platforms abstract away infrastructure management entirely, Kubernetes and serverless can be complementary. Some organizations run backend microservices on Kubernetes while using a serverless API gateway to handle edge routing, authentication, and rate limiting. Kubernetes-based API gateway solutions like Kong and Ambassador also exist for teams that prefer to manage their gateway infrastructure within their Kubernetes clusters. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.serverlessapigateway.com/glossary/k/kubernetes.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.