# Introducing KWOK: Kubernetes WithOut Kubelet

DevFeed: [Introducing KWOK: Kubernetes WithOut Kubelet](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/introducing-kwok-kubernetes-without-kubelet-17558.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.kubernetes.dev/blog/2023/03/01/introducing-kwok/>)

Author: The Kubernetes Authors

Published: 2023-03-01T00:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Kubernetes Contributors Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/kubernetes-contributors-blog.md>)

Topics: [Kubernetes](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/kubernetes.md>), [Command-line interface](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cli.md>), [API](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/api.md>), [Testing](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/testing.md>), [Development](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/development.md>), [Docker](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/docker.md>)

Tags: [cli](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cli.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [docker](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/docker.md>), [kubernetes](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/kubernetes.md>), [testing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/testing.md>), [tool](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tool.md>)

## AI overview

The article introduces KWOK, or Kubernetes WithOut Kubelet, a toolkit for creating Kubernetes clusters with simulated nodes, pods, and other API resources. It describes the kwok and kwokctl tools, along with use cases such as learning, development, and testing at scale with low resource consumption.

## Source excerpt

Author: Shiming Zhang (DaoCloud), Wei Huang (Apple), Yibo Zhuang (Apple) Have you ever wondered how to set up a cluster of thousands of nodes just in seconds, how to simulate real nodes with a low resource footprint, and how to test your Kubernetes controller at scale without spending much on infrastructure? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you might be interested in KWOK, a toolkit that enables you to create a cluster of thousands of nodes in seconds. What is KWOK? KWOK stands for Kubernetes WithOut Kubelet. So far, it provides two tools: kwok kwok is the cornerstone of this project, responsible for simulating the lifecycle of fake nodes, pods, and other Kubernetes API resources. kwokctl kwokctl is a CLI tool designed to streamline the creation and management of clusters, with nodes simulated by kwok. Why use KWOK? KWOK has several advantages: Speed: You can create and delete clusters and nodes almost instantly, without waiting for boot or provisioning. Compatibility: KWOK works with any tools or clients that are compliant with Kubernetes APIs, such as kubectl, helm, kui, etc. Portability: KWOK has no specific hardware or software requirements. You can run it using pre-built images, once Docker or Nerdctl is installed. Alternatively, binaries are also available for all platforms and can be easily installed. Flexibility: You can configure different node types, labels, taints, capacities, conditions, etc., and you can configure different pod behaviors, status, etc. to test different scenarios and edge cases. Performance: You can simulate thousands of nodes on your laptop without significant consumption of CPU or memory resources. What are the use cases? KWOK can be used for various purposes: Learning: You can use KWOK to learn about Kubernetes concepts and features without worrying about resource waste or other consequences. Development: You can use KWOK to develop new features or tools for Kubernetes without accessing to a real cluster or requir