Demystifying Kubernetes: How to Create and Use Custom Resources (CRDs)

Paul Hoke
4 min readJul 24, 2024
Kubernetes

Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) in Kubernetes allow you to extend the Kubernetes API to create your own custom resources. This is particularly useful when you need to manage application-specific or domain-specific objects that are not covered by the standard Kubernetes resources like Pods, Services, or Deployments.

Detailed Description

What is a CRD?

A Custom Resource Definition (CRD) is a way to define a new resource type in Kubernetes. Once a CRD is created, you can use the Kubernetes API to create, read, update, and delete instances of your custom resource, just like you would with built-in resources.

Common Use Cases for Creating CRDs

Using Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs) in Kubernetes can be highly beneficial for a variety of reasons. Here are some typical use cases and scenarios where CRDs are particularly useful:

1. Application-Specific Resources

When you have application-specific requirements that are not covered by the standard Kubernetes resources, CRDs allow you to define and manage these custom resources.

For example:

  • Database Operators

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Paul Hoke

Enterprise software engineer. I enjoy new, cutting-edge technologies, lean software methodologies, and seeking solutions to high-impact world problems.