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Developer ToolsAlternative to KanikoAlternative to Docker BuildAlternative to Jib

ko

Simple, fast container image builder for Go applications without Docker daemon dependencies.

View on GitHub Visit website
LicenseApache-2.0
GitHub stars7.5k
Last commit1 weeks ago
Tags5 topics
Ko Build ToolDaemonless Image BuildsGo Container BuilderDevopsDistroless Oci Images
Overview

Why consider ko?

ko is an open-source container image builder for Go applications written in Go by Google and Chainguard. ko builds multi-platform OCI container images by compiling Go binaries directly onto distroless base images without writing Dockerfiles or running Docker engines.

Guided learning

Learn ko by building

Practical setup notes, real use cases, and copy-ready examples in one focused guide.

1 min read 2 sections
In this guide2 sections

Overview of ko

ko compiles and pushes secure distroless Go container images in one command.

Quickstart

bash
1# Build and publish Go image
2KO_DOCKER_REPO=registry.company.com ko build ./cmd/server

ko is licensed under the Apache License Version 2.0.

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ko FAQs

ko is listed as a Developer Tools tool on TiloBox. Review the overview, features, and official documentation on this page to decide whether it solves your specific workflow.

Start with the project's GitHub repository and official website for supported installation and deployment instructions. Test the setup with representative data or a small project before rolling it out more widely.

ko is listed under the Apache-2.0 license. Read the complete license text and the project's notices before using, modifying, or distributing the software.

Production readiness depends on your requirements. Review maintenance activity, security practices, documentation, backup and upgrade procedures, and compatibility with your stack; then validate it in a non-production environment.

ko is listed as an alternative to Kaniko. Compare the core workflow, deployment model, integrations, and licensing against your must-have requirements before switching.