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K3s: Lightweight Kubernetes Distribution

K3s is a lightweight, certified Kubernetes distribution designed for resource-constrained environments, edge computing, IoT, and development. It is easy to install, requires minimal resources, and is fully compliant with upstream Kubernetes.

What is K3s?​

  • K3s is a simplified, production-ready Kubernetes distribution developed by Rancher Labs (now part of SUSE).
  • It is packaged as a single binary (<100MB) and designed to be easy to install and operate.
  • K3s removes non-essential features and legacy code, making it ideal for edge, IoT, CI, and development environments.

Key Features​

  • Lightweight: Minimal resource requirements, suitable for ARM, x86, and low-power devices.
  • Simple Installation: Single binary, easy to install and upgrade.
  • All-in-One: Bundles required components (containerd, Flannel, CoreDNS, etc.)
  • Reduced Dependencies: Removes legacy and alpha features, uses SQLite by default for storage (can use etcd or external DBs).
  • Secure by Default: Runs as a non-root user and uses minimal privileges.
  • Fully CNCF Certified: 100% Kubernetes API compliant.

Use Cases​

  • Edge computing and IoT devices
  • Development and testing environments
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Home labs and hobbyist clusters
  • Lightweight production clusters

Basic Installation​

Install K3s on a single node (as root or with sudo):

curl -sfL https://get.k3s.io | sh -
  • After installation, use kubectl via the provided k3s kubectl wrapper or configure your kubeconfig at /etc/rancher/k3s/k3s.yaml.

Why Use K3s?​

  • Fast to deploy and easy to manage
  • Low resource consumption
  • Great for learning, prototyping, and edge production
  • Backed by Rancher/SUSE and a large community

Further Reading​