Carvel

Carvel is a set of reliable, single-purpose, composable command-line tools that help build, configure, and deploy applications to Kubernetes. The toolset includes ytt for YAML templating, kapp for application lifecycle management, kbld for immutable image references, imgpkg for OCI bundling, vendir for vendored configuration, and kapp-controller for GitOps-style continuous delivery.

Carvel publishes 7 APIs on the APIs.io network. Tagged areas include CLI, Configuration, Containers, Deployment, and GitOps.

Carvel’s developer surface includes documentation, engineering blog, CLI, changelog, authentication, sandbox, and 25 more developer resources.

🌐 Visit website 📡 Source on GitHub

38.3/100 thin ▬ flat Agent 21/100 agent aware self hosted · Apache-2.0 Full breakdown ↓
scored 2026-09-08 · rubric v0.20.0

AccessFreemium

7 APIs

CLI Configuration Containers Deployment GitOps Kubernetes Package Management Templating

Kin Score

Kin Score How this is scored →
scored 2026-09-08 · rubric v0.20.0

Composite quality — 38.3/100 · thin

Contract Quality 7.8 / 23

Developer Ergonomics 6.6 / 18

Access Clarity 1.4 / 18

Operational Transparency 4.0 / 12

Contract Governance 2.0 / 11

Discoverability 6.5 / 9

Open Source Surface 10.0 / 10

Agent readiness — 21/100 · agent aware

Machine-Readable Contract 18 / 18

Agentic Access Contract 0 / 10

Documented Reversibility 0 / 6

MCP Server 0 / 12

Machine-Readable Auth 10 / 10

Idempotency 9 / 9

Stable Error Semantics 0 / 8

Request/Response Examples 0 / 7

Rate-Limit Signaling 7 / 7

Typed Event Surface 0 / 6

Agent Skills 0 / 5

Well-Known Catalog 0 / 4

Consent & Bot Identity 0 / 3

A2A Agent Card 0 / 8

Dry-Run / Simulate Mode 0 / 4

Delegated User Identity 0 / 6

Protected Resource Metadata 0 / 5

Registration Without a Human 0 / 6

Agentic Commerce Well-Known Document 0 / 5

Open Source Surface applies to this provider. This product is open source and we read its repository directly, so Open Source Surface carries 10 points of the composite. It is scored from what the repository actually publishes — a security policy, a contribution guide, a release history, a code of conduct — read live from the provider rather than inferred from our own catalog pointers. This facet adds; nothing was taken away to make room for it. An open-source project is not excused from the commercial facets, because exemption would strip it of the points it does earn. If we have the wrong repository, or this product is not open source, say so on your provider repo and we will drop the facet rather than have you publish against it.

Create-or-Update Ergonomics could not be measured. We hold no machine-readable contract for this provider to read, so there is nothing to measure a write surface against. Excluded rather than scored zero: never-measured and measured-empty are different facts. Publishing an OpenAPI is what makes this facet — and several others — scorable at all.

The six quality facets above are damped to 90 points between them, because the conditional facet above carries the other 10. That is why each facet's contribution is shown against a damped maximum: raising a quality facet moves the composite by 90% of its nominal weight, not 100%. The full arithmetic is at apis.io/rating/.

Improve this rating by publishing the missing artifacts — every area above can be raised, and the full rubric is at apis.io/rating/. Every facet and dimension name above is a link: it opens that measurement's own page — what it means, the exact checks that feed it, how the whole catalog distributes on it, and the providers at the top of it. This rating is computed from github.com/api-evangelist/carvel: open an issue to ask a question, or submit a pull request to add artifacts. Submit an artifact on GitHub — free → Manage your own listing — the Influence plan, $499/mo →

APIs 7

Individual APIs this provider publishes, each with its own machine-readable definition.

ytt

ytt is a templating tool that understands YAML structure, letting you use familiar YAML constructs and Python-like language (Starlark) to template Kubernetes configuration. Supp...

kapp

kapp is a CLI tool that installs, upgrades, and deletes multiple Kubernetes resources as a single application. It provides change set previews, resource ordering, and convergenc...

kbld

kbld builds or references container images in Kubernetes configuration in an immutable way by resolving image tags to digests and optionally building images from source during t...

imgpkg

imgpkg bundles and distributes application configuration and container images as OCI artifacts via Docker registries, enabling relocation across registries including air-gapped ...

vendir

vendir declaratively states what files should be in a directory, syncing from upstream sources such as Git repositories, HTTP archives, Helm charts, and OCI images. Enables repr...

kapp-controller

kapp-controller is a Kubernetes controller that provides GitOps-style continuous delivery for applications and packages using Carvel tools. It introduces PackageRepository, Pack...

secretgen-controller

secretgen-controller provides CRDs to generate Kubernetes Secrets, export and import secrets across namespaces, and manage certificate and password creation declaratively.

Scroll for all 7

Pricing Plans 1

Published pricing tiers and plan structures.

Carvel Plans Pricing

0 plans

PLANS

Rate Limits 1

Documented rate limits and quota policies.

Carvel Rate Limits

0 limits

RATE LIMITS

FinOps 1

Cost, billing, and metering signals for API financial operations.

Carvel Finops

FINOPS

Security Posture 3

Authentication, domain security, vulnerability disclosure, and trust-center signals.

Carvel Authentication

delegated-kubernetes-rbac/registry-credentials · 3 schemes

SECURITY

Carvel Domain Security

TLSv1.3 · HSTS

SECURITY

Carvel Vulnerability Disclosure

contact published

SECURITY

Resources

Get Started 1

Portal, sign-up, and the first successful call

Sandbox

Sandbox

Documentation 3

Reference material describing how the API behaves

ContributionGuide

ContributionGuide

Documentation

Documentation

JSONSchema

JSONSchema

Agent Surfaces 1

MCP servers, agent skills, and machine-readable catalogs

LLMsTxt

LLMsTxt

Design & Contract 5

Pagination, idempotency, versioning, errors, and events

Lifecycle

Conformance

Conventions

Idempotency

DataModel

Build 4

SDKs, sample code, and the tooling you integrate with

CodeOfConduct

CodeOfConduct

GitHubOrganization

GitHubOrganization

Packages

Packages

CLI

CLI

Access & Security 5

Authentication, authorization, and security posture

SecurityPolicy

DomainSecurity

Security

Authentication

VulnerabilityDisclosure

VulnerabilityDisclosure

Operate 7

Status, limits, changes, and where to get help

IssueTracker

Releases

Slack

Community

RoadMap

ChangeLog

RateLimits

Scroll for all 7

Commercial 2

Pricing, plans, and the legal terms of use

License

License

Plans

Plans

Company 2

The organization behind the API

Website

Website

Blog

Blog

Other 1

Properties that don't map to a standard resource type

Protobuf

Protobuf

Source (apis.yml)

aid: carvel
name: Carvel
description: Carvel is a set of reliable, single-purpose, composable command-line tools that help build, configure, and deploy
  applications to Kubernetes. The toolset includes ytt for YAML templating, kapp for application lifecycle management, kbld
  for immutable image references, imgpkg for OCI bundling, vendir for vendored configuration, and kapp-controller for GitOps-style
  continuous delivery.
type: Index
kind: opensource
deliveryModel:
  model: self-hosted
  license: Apache-2.0
  open_source: true
  commercial: false
  callable_host: false
  label: Self-hosted open source · you run it yourself
  confidence: high
  source:
  - license
  generated: '2026-08-28'
  method: derived
accessModel:
  pricing: freemium
  onboarding: unknown
  trial: false
  try_now: false
  public: false
  label: Freemium
  confidence: medium
  source:
  - plans
  generated: '2026-07-22'
  method: derived
position: Consuming
access: Open Source
image: https://kinlane-images.s3.amazonaws.com/shared/apis-json/icons/carvel.png
tags:
- CLI
- Configuration
- Containers
- Deployment
- GitOps
- Kubernetes
- Package Management
- Templating
url: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/carvel/refs/heads/main/apis.yml
created: '2026-03-26'
modified: '2026-09-05'
specificationVersion: '0.23'
apis:
- aid: carvel:ytt
  name: ytt
  description: ytt is a templating tool that understands YAML structure, letting you use familiar YAML constructs and Python-like
    language (Starlark) to template Kubernetes configuration. Supports overlays, data values, and functions without text-based
    substitution.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/ytt/
  tags:
  - Configuration
  - Kubernetes
  - Templating
  - YAML
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/ytt/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt
  - type: Playground
    url: https://carvel.dev/ytt/#playground
  x-features:
  - YAML-structure-aware templating
  - Starlark-based programming model
  - Overlays to patch existing YAML
  - Data values for parameterization
  - Schema validation for data values
  - Reusable functions and libraries
  x-use-cases:
  - Parameterizing Kubernetes manifests
  - Patching third-party YAML without forking
  - Generating multi-environment configuration
  - Creating reusable configuration libraries
- aid: carvel:kapp
  name: kapp
  description: kapp is a CLI tool that installs, upgrades, and deletes multiple Kubernetes resources as a single application.
    It provides change set previews, resource ordering, and convergence detection for predictable deployments.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/kapp/
  tags:
  - Deployment
  - Kubernetes
  - Lifecycle
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/kapp/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/kapp
  x-features:
  - Change-set preview before apply
  - Resource ordering and waiting
  - Label-based application grouping
  - Convergence detection on deploy
  - Garbage collection of removed resources
  x-use-cases:
  - Deploying Kubernetes applications atomically
  - Previewing infrastructure changes before apply
  - Managing application lifecycle without Helm
- aid: carvel:kbld
  name: kbld
  description: kbld builds or references container images in Kubernetes configuration in an immutable way by resolving image
    tags to digests and optionally building images from source during the deployment pipeline.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/kbld/
  tags:
  - Container Images
  - Immutable
  - Kubernetes
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/kbld/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/kbld
  x-features:
  - Resolve image tags to digests
  - Build images from source with Docker/pack
  - Push to registries during deploy
  - Integration with ytt and kapp
  x-use-cases:
  - Ensuring immutable image references
  - Building and deploying images in one pipeline
  - Auditing which images are actually deployed
- aid: carvel:imgpkg
  name: imgpkg
  description: imgpkg bundles and distributes application configuration and container images as OCI artifacts via Docker registries,
    enabling relocation across registries including air-gapped environments.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/imgpkg/
  tags:
  - Bundles
  - Container Images
  - OCI
  - Registry
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/imgpkg/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/imgpkg
  x-features:
  - OCI-compliant bundles
  - Bundle relocation between registries
  - Air-gapped deployment support
  - Lock files for reproducibility
  x-use-cases:
  - Distributing Kubernetes app bundles
  - Air-gapped deployments
  - Registry-to-registry mirroring
- aid: carvel:vendir
  name: vendir
  description: vendir declaratively states what files should be in a directory, syncing from upstream sources such as Git
    repositories, HTTP archives, Helm charts, and OCI images. Enables reproducible vendored configuration.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/vendir/
  tags:
  - Configuration
  - Vendoring
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/vendir/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/vendir
  - type: Protobuf
    name: vendir versions v1alpha1 protobuf (semver VersionSelection)
    url: grpc/carvel-vendir-versions-v1alpha1.proto
  x-features:
  - Declarative sync from Git, HTTP, Helm, OCI
  - Lock files for reproducibility
  - Selective inclusion of files
  - Integration with overlays via ytt
  x-use-cases:
  - Vendoring third-party Kubernetes configuration
  - Pinning upstream Helm charts
  - Reproducible configuration builds
- aid: carvel:kapp-controller
  name: kapp-controller
  description: kapp-controller is a Kubernetes controller that provides GitOps-style continuous delivery for applications
    and packages using Carvel tools. It introduces PackageRepository, Package, PackageInstall, and App custom resources for
    package management.
  humanURL: https://carvel.dev/kapp-controller/
  tags:
  - CRD
  - GitOps
  - Kubernetes
  - Package Management
  properties:
  - type: Documentation
    url: https://carvel.dev/kapp-controller/docs/latest/
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/kapp-controller
  - type: JSONSchema
    name: kapp-controller CRD schemas (App, PackageInstall, PackageRepository, InternalPackage, InternalPackageMetadata)
    url: json-schema/carvel-kapp-controller-crds.yml
  - type: Protobuf
    name: kappctrl.k14s.io v1alpha1 protobuf
    url: grpc/carvel-kapp-controller-kappctrl-v1alpha1.proto
  - type: Protobuf
    name: data.packaging.carvel.dev v1alpha1 protobuf
    url: grpc/carvel-kapp-controller-datapackaging-v1alpha1.proto
  - type: DataModel
    url: data-model/carvel-data-model.yml
  x-features:
  - App and Package CRDs
  - PackageRepository for distribution
  - GitOps continuous reconciliation
  - ytt, kbld, and kapp integration
  - Versioning and constraints for packages
  x-use-cases:
  - Kubernetes package management
  - GitOps-driven continuous delivery
  - Distributing internal platform packages
- aid: carvel:secretgen-controller
  name: secretgen-controller
  description: secretgen-controller provides CRDs to generate Kubernetes Secrets, export and import secrets across namespaces,
    and manage certificate and password creation declaratively.
  humanURL: https://github.com/carvel-dev/secretgen-controller
  tags:
  - CRD
  - Kubernetes
  - Secrets
  properties:
  - type: GitHubRepository
    url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/secretgen-controller
  - type: JSONSchema
    name: secretgen-controller CRD schemas (SecretExport, SecretImport, SecretTemplate, Certificate, Password, RSAKey, SSHKey)
    url: json-schema/carvel-secretgen-controller-crds.yml
  x-features:
  - Generate Certificates, Passwords, RSA Keys, SSH Keys
  - Cross-namespace secret export/import
  - Declarative secret management via CRDs
  x-use-cases:
  - Generating bootstrap credentials
  - Sharing secrets across namespaces
  - Declarative certificate management
common:
- type: IssueTracker
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/issues
- type: Releases
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/releases
- type: SecurityPolicy
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/blob/develop/SECURITY.md
- type: CodeOfConduct
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/blob/develop/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
- type: ContributionGuide
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/blob/develop/CONTRIBUTING.md
- type: License
  name: Apache-2.0
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/ytt/blob/develop/LICENSE
- type: DomainSecurity
  url: security/carvel-domain-security.yml
- type: Website
  url: https://carvel.dev/
- type: Documentation
  url: https://carvel.dev/shared/docs/latest/
- type: GitHubOrganization
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev
- type: Blog
  url: https://carvel.dev/blog/
- type: Slack
  url: https://kubernetes.slack.com/archives/CH8KCCKA5
- type: Community
  url: https://carvel.dev/community/
- type: RoadMap
  url: https://github.com/carvel-dev/carvel/blob/develop/ROADMAP.md
- type: Security
  url: https://carvel.dev/shared/docs/latest/security-policy/
- type: Protobuf
  name: kapp-controller and vendir Kubernetes API protobuf definitions
  url: grpc/_index.yml
- type: JSONSchema
  name: Carvel CustomResourceDefinition schemas (12 CRDs, openAPIV3Schema)
  url: json-schema/_index.yml
- type: Packages
  url: packages/carvel-packages.yml
- type: CLI
  url: cli/carvel-cli.yml
- type: LLMsTxt
  url: llms/carvel-llms.txt
- type: ChangeLog
  url: changelog/carvel-changelog.yml
- type: Lifecycle
  url: lifecycle/carvel-lifecycle.yml
- type: Conformance
  url: conformance/carvel-conformance.yml
- type: Conventions
  url: conventions/carvel-conventions.yml
- type: Idempotency
  url: conventions/carvel-conventions.yml
- type: DataModel
  url: data-model/carvel-data-model.yml
- type: Authentication
  url: authentication/carvel-authentication.yml
- type: VulnerabilityDisclosure
  url: security/carvel-vulnerability-disclosure.yml
- type: Sandbox
  url: sandbox/carvel-sandbox.yml
- type: Plans
  url: plans/carvel-plans-pricing.yml
- type: RateLimits
  url: rate-limits/carvel-rate-limits.yml
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com
x-enrichment:
  date: '2026-09-05'
  status: enriched
  artifacts_added: 20
  pass: local-v3

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