KubeSphere Core

Overview

KubeSphere is a distributed operating system for cloud-native application management built on Kubernetes. Version 4.x adopts a microkernel + extension architecture (codename LuBan) where the core provides essential functions and independent functional modules are delivered as extensions.

Core Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                              KubeSphere Console                                                 │
│                                   (React-based Web UI + Extension Framework)                                    │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                                             │
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                            KubeSphere Core (LuBan)                                              │
│  ┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐  │
│  │ Multi-Cluster     │ │ Multi-Tenant      │ │ K8s Resource      │ │ Extension         │ │ Application       │  │
│  │ Management        │ │ Management        │ │ Management        │ │ Management        │ │ Management        │  │
│  └───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘  │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                                             │
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────▼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                      Underlying Kubernetes Clusters                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Core Components

Component	Description
ks-apiserver	API aggregation layer. Acts as the central API entry point for KubeSphere, aggregating APIs from core services and extensions. Handles authentication, authorization, and multi-cluster API routing.
ks-controller-manager	Resource controllers. Manages the lifecycle of KubeSphere custom resources (workspaces, projects, users, etc.). Reconciles desired state and handles event-driven operations.
ks-console	Web UI. React-based console providing visual management interface for all KubeSphere capabilities. Supports extension framework for custom UI components.

API

API Path Prefixes

KubeSphere provides two main API path prefixes with different routing behaviors:

Path Prefix	Routed To	Use Case
/apis/	kube-apiserver on target cluster	Direct Kubernetes CRUD operations
/kapis/	KubeSphere API server	KubeSphere-specific APIs, workspace-scoped operations

Multi-Cluster API Routing

Use the /clusters/{cluster-name}/ prefix to forward requests to specific member clusters:

# Access member-1 cluster
/clusters/member-1/kapis/tenant.kubesphere.io/v1beta1/workspaces/demo/namespaces

API Script Usage

Use the ks_api.py script to make API calls. The script handles authentication automatically.

Prerequisites:

pip install requests
export KUBESPHERE_HOST="http://<kubesphere-host>"
python scripts/ks_api.py --login --username admin --password <password>

Usage:

# Get token info
python scripts/ks_api.py

# List resources (GET)
python scripts/ks_api.py GET /kapis/tenant.kubesphere.io/v1beta1/workspacetemplates

# Query specific cluster
python scripts/ks_api.py GET /clusters/member-1/kapis/tenant.kubesphere.io/v1beta1/namespaces

# Clear cached token
python scripts/ks_api.py --clear-cache

Skill Routing

kubesphere-core routes to specific Skills based on user requests.

Skill	Capabilities	Restrictions
kubesphere-core	Architecture, API routing, API utilities	No management operations
kubesphere-cluster-management	Multi-cluster management	Cluster operations
kubesphere-multi-tenant-management	Create user/workspace/project, assign roles	No delete, No custom roles
kubesphere-extension-management	Extension install/upgrade/uninstall	Extension-related only

References

• KubeSphere
• KubeSphere Documentation
• Extension Development Guide
• API Documentation