Gardener Documentation
First Steps with Gardener
If you're new to Gardener, we recommend starting with our Getting Started guide to understand the basic concepts.
For an easy-to-grasp analogy of how Gardener works, check out Podrick and the Infinite Garden.
Understanding the Documentation Personas
Our documentation is organized around three user personas to help you find the most relevant content for your needs. Below you will find more information on each of them.
NOTE
You can switch between personas through the Documentation drop-down menu in the top navigation bar.
User
You are a User if you:
- Create and manage Kubernetes clusters (shoots) using Gardener
- Work with Gardener through the Dashboard or API
- Configure cluster specifications, extensions, and networking
- Have access to shoot clusters but not to the underlying seed infrastructure
User documentation focuses on how to use Gardener to create, configure, and manage your Kubernetes clusters.
Operator
You are an Operator if you:
- Run and maintain Gardener landscapes
- Manage seed clusters and infrastructure
- Configure Gardener components and extensions
- Handle platform-level operations and monitoring
- Provide Gardener as a service to end-users
Operator documentation covers installation, configuration, maintenance, and operational aspects of running Gardener.
Developer
You are a Developer if you:
- Contribute to Gardener core components
- Develop Gardener extensions or integrations
- Work on the Gardener codebase
- Need to understand Gardener's internal architecture and APIs
Developer documentation includes architecture details, development guides, API references, and contribution guidelines.
Support
If you need assistance or have questions:
- Community Support: Join our community channels to connect with other Gardener users and contributors
- GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features in our GitHub repository
- Slack: Join the Gardener community on Slack