--- title: Kubernetes description: Instructions for installing the Istio control plane on Kubernetes and adding virtual machines into the mesh. weight: 10 type: section-index aliases: - /docs/tasks/installing-istio.html - /docs/setup/install-kubernetes.html icon: kubernetes keywords: [kubernetes,install,quick-start,setup,installation] content_above: true --- {{< tip >}} Istio {{< istio_version >}} has been tested with these Kubernetes releases: {{< supported_kubernetes_versions >}}. {{< /tip >}} ## Getting started Istio offers multiple installation flows depending on your Kubernetes platform. However, the basic flow is the same regardless of platform: 1. [Review the pod requirements](/docs/setup/kubernetes/requirements/) 1. [Prepare your platform for Istio](/docs/setup/kubernetes/platform-setup/) 1. [Download the Istio release](/docs/setup/kubernetes/download-release/) 1. [Install Istio on your platform](/docs/setup/kubernetes/) Whether or not you intend to use Istio in production is an important consideration when deciding which installation flow to follow. ## Evaluating Istio To quickly test Istio's features, you can: - Install Istio [on Kubernetes without Helm](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/kubernetes/) - Configure Istio's **minimal** profile using the [helm installation guide](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/helm/) ## Installing Istio for production We recommend you install Istio for production using the [Helm Installation guide](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/helm/). If you run Kubernetes on a supported platform, you can follow the instructions specific to your Kubernetes platform: - [Alibaba Cloud Kubernetes Container Service](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/platform/alicloud/) - [Google Kubernetes Engine](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/platform/gke/) - [IBM Cloud](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/platform/ibm/) If you want your installation to use Istio's Container Network Interface (CNI) plugin, visit our [CNI guide](/docs/setup/kubernetes/additional-setup/cni/). If you want to perform a multicluster setup, visit our [Multicluster installation documents](/docs/setup/kubernetes/install/multicluster/). ## Adding services to your mesh To expand your existing mesh with additional containers or VMs not running on your mesh's Kubernetes cluster, follow our [Mesh Expansion guide](/docs/setup/kubernetes/additional-setup/mesh-expansion/). Adding services requires understanding sidecar injection in detail. Visit our [Installing the Sidecar guide](/docs/setup/kubernetes/additional-setup/sidecar-injection/) to learn more.