# What is Carvel?

Carvel provides a set of reliable, single-purpose tools that help your application building, configuration, and deployment to Kubernetes. Each tool in the Carvel toolkit is designed to be composable, meaning you can mix and match them to suit your specific needs. Whether you're a seasoned Kubernetes expert or just getting started, Carvel simplifies the process of managing your applications, allowing you to focus on what really matters: delivering value to your customers. With Carvel, you can trust that your deployments will be consistent, repeatable, and error-free, saving you time and reducing risk.

### Why was carvel created?

## Who should use Carvel?

## Carvel projects

#### Kapp

Take control of your Kubernetes resources. Deploy and view groups of Kubernetes resources as "applications". Apply changes safely and predictably, watching resources as they converge.

#### Kapp-controller

Continuous delivery and package management for Kubernetes.
kapp-controller's declarative APIs and layered approach enables you to build, deploy, and manage your own applications. It also helps package your software into easily distributable packages and enables your users to discover, configure, and install these packages on a Kubernetes cluster.

#### ytt

All your YAML shaping in one tool.Template and patch as needed to easily make your configuration reusable and extensible. Works with your own and third-party YAML configuration.

#### kbld

Image solver for your configuration. kbld seamlessly incorporates image building, pushing, and resolution into your development and deployment workflows. Result is configuration with immutable image references.

#### imgpkg

Bundle your bits with guaranteed immutability. Package, distribute, and relocate your Kubernetes configuration and dependent OCI images as one OCI artifact: a bundle. Consume bundles with confidence that their contents are unchanged after relocation.

#### vendir

Declaratively state directory's contents. Sync any number of data sources into a consistent structure by writing a YAML definition. Share the definition or generated lockfile and ensure that your whole team is working under the same expectations.

#### secretgen-controller

### How were the projects in Carvel selected?

### How are we growing Carvel

The carvel project also has some experimental tools, which are....

#### kwt

Expose Kubernetes overlay network to your machine. No more port mapping, or starting multiple proxies.

#### terraform-provider-carvel
Use ytt, kbld, and/or kapp in your Terraform module.