# KubeSphere — Multi-Cluster Kubernetes Platform

> KubeSphere is an open-source container platform that adds multi-tenancy, DevOps pipelines, service mesh, observability, and an app store on top of any standard Kubernetes cluster.

## Install

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# KubeSphere — Multi-Cluster Kubernetes Platform

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install KubeSphere on an existing cluster
kubectl apply -f https://github.com/kubesphere/ks-installer/releases/download/v3.4.1/kubesphere-installer.yaml
kubectl apply -f https://github.com/kubesphere/ks-installer/releases/download/v3.4.1/cluster-configuration.yaml

# Watch the install logs
kubectl logs -n kubesphere-system $(kubectl -n kubesphere-system get pod -l app=ks-installer -o name) -f

# Reach the console
kubectl -n kubesphere-system get svc ks-console
# Default login: admin / P@88w0rd
```

## Introduction
KubeSphere provides a polished web console for running many Kubernetes clusters as one platform. It bundles DevOps, monitoring, service mesh, and application lifecycle management, targeting enterprises that want an open-source alternative to Rancher or OpenShift.

## What KubeSphere Does
- Adds a multi-tenant console with workspaces, projects, and RBAC
- Orchestrates app delivery via Jenkins-based or Tekton pipelines
- Installs and configures Istio with topology and tracing views
- Ships Prometheus, Loki, and Jaeger for unified observability
- Federates workloads across clusters through KubeFed-style APIs

## Architecture Overview
`ks-installer` bootstraps an operator that deploys modular subsystems: ks-apiserver, ks-controller-manager, ks-console, plus optional DevOps, ServiceMesh, Logging, Alerting, and Metering components. Each cluster registers with a host cluster to form a federation.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Works on any CNCF-conformant K8s ≥ 1.20
- Or use `kubekey` to spin up a fresh cluster plus KubeSphere in one step
- Toggle components by editing `cluster-configuration.yaml`
- Persistent storage required for logs, events, and audit
- Supports air-gapped installs via private image registry

## Key Features
- Workspace + project hierarchy for multi-team governance
- App Store with Helm-backed catalog
- Visual pipeline editor with Blue Ocean Jenkins flavor
- Edge computing via KubeEdge integration
- Open source, Apache-2.0, backed by QingCloud

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Rancher** — similar scope, more cluster lifecycle features
- **OpenShift** — commercial, opinionated, heavier
- **Portainer** — simpler UI, fewer DevOps features
- **Gardener** — cluster-as-a-service, not app-focused
- **Devtron** — newer, app-delivery focused, lighter footprint

## FAQ
**Q:** Does KubeSphere replace kubectl?
A: No — it augments it with a UI. The native K8s API remains fully usable.

**Q:** Can I start small?
A: Yes, only the core console is required; other modules are opt-in.

**Q:** Is a commercial edition available?
A: Yes — the QKE service on QingCloud and enterprise support contracts.

**Q:** How is multi-cluster handled?
A: Clusters join a host-cluster federation; workloads and policies propagate through it.

## Sources
- https://github.com/kubesphere/kubesphere
- https://kubesphere.io/docs/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/4e682acc-38fa-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source