:_mod-docs-content-type: CONCEPT

// This assembly is included in the following assemblies:
//
// assembly-deploy-intro-operators.adoc

[id='con-pod-management-{context}']
= Managing pod resources

[role="_abstract"]
The `StrimziPodSet` custom resource is used by Strimzi to create and manage Kafka, Kafka Connect, and MirrorMaker 2 pods.

You must not create, update, or delete `StrimziPodSet` resources.
The `StrimziPodSet` custom resource is used internally and resources are managed solely by the Cluster Operator.
As a consequence, the Cluster Operator must be running properly to avoid the possibility of pods not starting and Kafka clusters not being available.

NOTE: Kubernetes `Deployment` resources are used for creating and managing the pods of other components.