Apache OpenWhisk runs pieces of application code in response to events, such as an incoming web request or a message from another system. These pieces are called actions or functions. It handles invoking them and provides a record of their execution, helping teams build event-driven services without writing a separate always-running service for every task. Installing OpenWhisk on Kubernetes means operating the underlying functions platform as well as writing those functions.
Deployment and operating notes
The historical wording calls OpenWhisk an incubating project. The current Apache project and its Kubernetes deployment repository identify it as Apache OpenWhisk, with actions, triggers, rules and feeds forming the application model. Its Helm deployment is a platform installation with several cooperating services, rather than a generic way to scale an arbitrary existing Deployment.
Before adopting it, map the runtimes, invocation limits, event feeds, authentication and backing-service requirements for your functions. Check the deployment repository against the chosen Kubernetes and container-runtime versions; a repository README is not proof that this site tested that combination. Existing operators should export action packages and configuration, preserve persistent backing data, and verify runtime images before an upgrade. Rehearse a trigger-driven invocation and a failed invocation as well as an HTTP success. If evaluating another functions platform, compare event delivery and action semantics first: source code portability does not imply equivalent retries, execution limits or activation records.
Historical upstream link check · 2026-10-09
The recorded upstream address redirects to https://github.com/apache/openwhisk-deploy-kube and returned HTTP 200 on 2026-10-09. GitHub does not mark apache/openwhisk-deploy-kube archived or disabled; this does not establish active maintenance, support or compatibility. GitHub resolves the old repository identity to apache/openwhisk-deploy-kube. Link availability does not certify the historical installation instructions or current security support.
Website availability is separate from project, chart and image support. Use the current guidance and primary sources on this page to assess the distribution.
Historical Kubedex content
Preserved for context. Commands, versions, prices and results below reflect the original research.
Apache OpenWhisk (Incubating) is an open source, distributed serverless platform that executes functions (fx) in response to events at any scale. OpenWhisk manages the infrastructure, servers and scaling using Docker containers so you can focus on building amazing and efficient applications.
The OpenWhisk platform supports a programming model in which developers write functional logic (called Actions), in any supported programming language, that can be dynamically scheduled and run in response to associated events (via Triggers) from external sources (Feeds) or from HTTP requests. The project includes a REST API-based Command Line Interface (CLI) along with other tooling to support packaging, catalog services and many popular container deployment options.
Sources & further reading
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