# KubeVela — Modern Application Delivery Platform on Kubernetes

> KubeVela is an application-centric delivery platform built on the Open Application Model (OAM). It lets platform teams assemble reusable components and traits into policies and workflows that run across multiple clusters.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# KubeVela — Application Delivery Platform on Kubernetes

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install the KubeVela CLI and control plane
curl -fsSl https://kubevela.io/script/install.sh | bash
vela install

# Deploy a webservice application
vela init my-app --template webservice
vela up -f my-app/app.yaml

# Observe deployment
vela status my-app
```

## Introduction
KubeVela is a CNCF incubating project that gives platform engineers a vocabulary above raw Kubernetes YAML. Instead of shipping raw Deployments, Services and NetworkPolicies, teams describe Applications composed of Components (stateless service, web-service, helm) and Traits (ingress, autoscaling, sidecar) that the control plane compiles into the right cluster-native objects.

## What KubeVela Does
- Provides a declarative `Application` CRD with Components, Traits, Policies and Workflow
- Renders those high-level definitions into Kubernetes objects via CUE-powered templates
- Orchestrates multi-cluster rollouts with Canary, Blue/Green and manual-approval steps
- Bundles an addon registry (observability, secrets, FluxCD, Velero) for one-click install
- Offers a web UI, CLI and REST API for developer-friendly workflows

## Architecture Overview
The core is a vela-core controller that reconciles `Application`, `ComponentDefinition`, `TraitDefinition`, `PolicyDefinition` and `WorkflowStepDefinition` CRDs. Definitions are CUE scripts; the controller evaluates them to generate child resources (Deployments, Services, Argo Rollouts, etc.) and tracks ownership. A multi-cluster manager (ClusterGateway) projects those resources onto managed clusters. The VelaUX add-on provides a dashboard for developer self-service.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install with `vela install` or the published Helm chart
- Register managed clusters with `vela cluster join <kubeconfig>`
- Author reusable Components/Traits as CUE files checked into Git
- Integrate with Flux, Terraform or Crossplane through built-in definitions
- Secure the control plane with RBAC projections per tenant

## Key Features
- Open Application Model abstractions standardise how apps are shipped
- CUE-based definitions are code — type-checked, testable, reusable
- Workflow engine for advanced rollouts (canary, dependency, approval)
- Multi-cluster and multi-environment delivery in one Application
- Addon ecosystem brings Argo, Flux, Velero and more

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Argo CD** — GitOps for raw manifests; KubeVela adds modelling above that
- **Flux** — also GitOps-focused; KubeVela adds rollouts and app abstractions
- **Crossplane** — cloud resource control plane; KubeVela focuses on app delivery
- **Helm** — templating; KubeVela models full applications with traits and workflows
- **Backstage + plugins** — developer portal layer; KubeVela exposes the runtime substrate

## FAQ
**Q:** Do I need to learn CUE?
A: Basic CUE helps when authoring custom Components/Traits. For day-to-day use the CLI, UI and built-in definitions are enough.

**Q:** Does KubeVela replace GitOps?
A: No. It complements GitOps tools like Flux and Argo CD; you commit KubeVela Applications to Git and let the controller reconcile them.

**Q:** How does multi-cluster work?
A: The ClusterGateway component proxies API calls to managed clusters, so the control plane schedules resources to them transparently.

**Q:** Is there a UI for developers?
A: Yes. Enable the VelaUX add-on for a web console covering applications, environments, targets and deployment history.

## Sources
- https://github.com/kubevela/kubevela
- https://kubevela.io

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/2fce2464-38e7-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot