# Getting started

LLMS index: [llms.txt](/llms.txt)

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This section lists the different ways to set up and run Kubernetes.
When you install Kubernetes, choose an installation type based on: ease of maintenance, security,
control, available resources, and expertise required to operate and manage a cluster.

You can [download Kubernetes](/releases/download/) to deploy a Kubernetes cluster
on a local machine, into the cloud, or for your own datacenter.

Several [Kubernetes components](/docs/concepts/overview/components/) such as <a class='glossary-tooltip' title='Control plane component that serves the Kubernetes API.' data-bs-toggle='tooltip' data-bs-placement='top' href='/docs/concepts/architecture/#kube-apiserver' target='_blank' aria-label='kube-apiserver'>kube-apiserver</a> or <a class='glossary-tooltip' title='kube-proxy is a network proxy that runs on each node in the cluster.' data-bs-toggle='tooltip' data-bs-placement='top' href='/docs/reference/command-line-tools-reference/kube-proxy/' target='_blank' aria-label='kube-proxy'>kube-proxy</a> can also be
deployed as [container images](/releases/download/#container-images) within the cluster.

It is **recommended** to run Kubernetes components as container images wherever
that is possible, and to have Kubernetes manage those components.
Components that run containers - notably, the kubelet - can't be included in this category.

If you don't want to manage a Kubernetes cluster yourself, you could pick a managed service, including
[certified platforms](/docs/setup/production-environment/turnkey-solutions/).
There are also other standardized and custom solutions across a wide range of cloud and
bare metal environments.

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## Learning environment

If you're learning Kubernetes, use the tools supported by the Kubernetes community,
or tools in the ecosystem to set up a Kubernetes cluster on a local machine.
See [Learning environment](/docs/setup/learning-environment/)

## Production environment

When evaluating a solution for a
[production environment](/docs/setup/production-environment/), consider which aspects of
operating a Kubernetes cluster (or _abstractions_) you want to manage yourself and which you
prefer to hand off to a provider.

For a cluster you're managing yourself, the officially supported tool
for deploying Kubernetes is [kubeadm](/docs/setup/production-environment/tools/kubeadm/).

## What's next

- [Download Kubernetes](/releases/download/)
- Download and [install tools](/docs/tasks/tools/) including `kubectl`
- Select a [container runtime](/docs/setup/production-environment/container-runtimes/) for your new cluster
- Learn about [best practices](/docs/setup/best-practices/) for cluster setup

Kubernetes is designed for its <a class='glossary-tooltip' title='The container orchestration layer that exposes the API and interfaces to define, deploy, and manage the lifecycle of containers.' data-bs-toggle='tooltip' data-bs-placement='top' href='/docs/reference/glossary/?all=true#term-control-plane' target='_blank' aria-label='control plane'>control plane</a> to
run on Linux. Within your cluster you can run applications on Linux or other operating systems, including
Windows.

- Learn to [set up clusters with Windows nodes](/docs/concepts/windows/)

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Section pages:

- [Learning environment](/docs/setup/learning-environment/)
- [Production environment](/docs/setup/production-environment/): Create a production-quality Kubernetes cluster
- [Best practices](/docs/setup/best-practices/)