---
title: Extensions
id: Extensions
date: 2019-02-01
full_link: /docs/concepts/extend-kubernetes/#extensions
short_description: >
  Extensions are software components that extend and deeply integrate with Kubernetes to support
  new types of hardware.

aka:
tags:
- fundamental
- extension
---
 Extensions are software components that extend and deeply integrate with Kubernetes to support new types of hardware.

<!--more-->

Many cluster administrators use a hosted or distribution instance of Kubernetes. These clusters
come with extensions pre-installed. As a result, most Kubernetes users will not need to install
[extensions](/docs/concepts/extend-kubernetes/) and even fewer users will need to author new ones.