---
title: Container Runtime
id: container-runtime
date: 2019-06-05
full_link: /docs/setup/production-environment/container-runtimes
short_description: >
 The container runtime is the software that is responsible for running containers.

aka:
tags:
- fundamental
- workload
---
 A fundamental component that empowers Kubernetes to run containers effectively.
 It is responsible for managing the execution and lifecycle of containers within the Kubernetes environment.

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Kubernetes supports container runtimes such as
{{< glossary_tooltip term_id="containerd" >}}, {{< glossary_tooltip term_id="cri-o" >}},
and any other implementation of the [Kubernetes CRI (Container Runtime
Interface)](https://github.com/kubernetes/community/blob/master/contributors/devel/sig-node/container-runtime-interface.md).