Build images with the Cloud-Native Toolkit

Building universal application images that meet all the requirements needed to run well in Kubernetes and Red Hat OpenShift can feel overwhelming. Using the open source Cloud-Native Toolkit makes it easier to create well-built images.

The Cloud-Native Toolkit includes a number of image-building best practices, tools, and learning materials along with a repeatable and maintainable process. You can use the toolkit throughout the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC) to develop complete applications -- including the ability to build universal application images for Red Hat Container Certification. The toolkit can run in any Kubernetes or OpenShift cluster, on IBM Cloud, or elsewhere.

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Prerequisites

To complete the tutorials in this learning path, a cluster administrator needs to install the Cloud-Native Toolkit on a Red Hat OpenShift cluster. This only needs to be done once on a cluster, and then multiple projects can use it.

• Install the Cloud-Native Toolkit

Steps and outcomes

1. Start with the starter kits

To get a feel for how to use the Cloud-Native Toolkit, start with the first tutorial: Use the Cloud-Native Toolkit starter kits

This tutorial will help you:

• Learn how to use the Cloud-Native Toolkit
• Create and run CI pipelines
• Build a cloud-native application that's deployed as a container

2. Use an existing application with the Cloud-Native Toolkit to build an image

If you have an existing application in a single repo that you want to containerize using the Cloud-Native Toolkit, follow the instructions in the tutorial Use Cloud-Native Toolkit on an existing application, which will guide you to:

• Use the Cloud-Native Toolkit with an existing application
• Learn how to prepare your GitHub repo to run in a CI pipeline
• Learn how to modify the pipeline tasks to accommodate your application
• Prepare the container image for OpenShift certification

3. Use an application from multiple repos

If you have a more complex application that spans multiple repos, read the advanced tutorial Build an OpenShift certifiable image from a complex application to learn how to:

• Use the Cloud-Native Toolkit on a real-world open source application
• Modify the pipeline tasks to work with multiple GitHub repos
• Add and use parameters to modify pipeline actions
• Use semantic versioning for image releases
• Prepare the container image for OpenShift certification