---
id: cdk8s
version: "2.70.92"
license: Apache-2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# cdk8s — This is the core library of Cloud Development Kit (CDK) for Kubernetes (cdk8s). cdk8s apps synthesize into standard Kubernetes manifests which can be applied to any Kubernetes cluster.

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 599.6K/mo

## What it is and what it does

cdk8s is the core library of the Cloud Development Kit for Kubernetes, a framework that lets you write Kubernetes applications in Python instead of YAML. Rather than hand-editing manifest files, you define Kubernetes resources using object-oriented constructs—reusable, composable building blocks that can represent anything from a single Pod to a complete application stack. The library synthesizes your Python code into standard Kubernetes manifests that can be applied to any cluster.

The package depends on constructs, jsii, and publication. It targets modern Python versions (3.10 through 3.14) and is marked production-stable. It is part of a larger cdk8s ecosystem; this package is the programmatic core used by applications and higher-level tools.

Use it for:

- Define multi-environment Kubernetes deployments as Python code with shared logic and parameterization.
- Build reusable Kubernetes component libraries that teams can compose into larger applications.
- Generate Kubernetes manifests programmatically for templated or dynamic workloads.
- Integrate Kubernetes infrastructure definition into Python CI/CD pipelines and automation.
- Leverage IDE autocomplete and type checking when defining Kubernetes resources.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

cdk8s is a framework for defining Kubernetes applications using object-oriented Python code that synthesizes into standard Kubernetes manifests, allowing you to compose reusable constructs instead of writing YAML directly.

Yes, if you are building Kubernetes applications in Python and prefer code-based infrastructure definition. The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries no known vulnerabilities, and uses a permissive license. The main consideration is whether the constructs abstraction and jsii bridge fit your team's workflow.

## Install

pip install cdk8s
uv add cdk8s
poetry add cdk8s

## Installing cdk8s

Before you install: Low install friction with a pure Python wheel. Actively maintained with a release 1 day old; repository shows recent activity and is not archived. Three runtime dependencies are part of the standard ecosystem.

License in practice: Apache License 2.0 is permissive; you can use this package in commercial and proprietary projects without restriction, though you must include a copy of the license.

Quickstart:

pip install cdk8s

from cdk8s import App, Chart
from constructs import Construct

app = App()
Chart(app, "my-chart")
app.synth()

Requires Python 3.10 or later.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the jsii bridge adds meaningful overhead or complexity for Python users compared to alternatives.
- How well the constructs abstraction maps to real-world Kubernetes patterns beyond basic resource definition.
- Whether cdk8s-cli (the separate command-line tool) is required for practical use or if the core library alone suffices.

## Package facts

- License: Apache-2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 599.6K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

kubernetes infrastructure as code, define k8s manifests with python, kubernetes cdk framework, programmatic kubernetes deployment, kubernetes construct library, kubernetes yaml generation, declarative k8s applications, kubernetes, infrastructure-as-code, manifests

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