:_mod-docs-content-type: REFERENCE

// Module included in the following assemblies:
//
// assembly-using-the-topic-operator.adoc

[id='ref-operator-topic-{context}']
= Topic management

[role="_abstract"]
The `KafkaTopic` resource is responsible for managing a single topic within a Kafka cluster.

The Topic Operator operates as follows: 

* When a `KafkaTopic` is created, deleted, or changed, the Topic Operator performs the corresponding operation on the Kafka topic.

If a topic is created, deleted, or modified directly within the Kafka cluster, without the presence of a corresponding `KafkaTopic` resource, the Topic Operator does not manage that topic.
The Topic Operator will only manage Kafka topics associated with `KafkaTopic` resources and does not interfere with topics managed independently within the Kafka cluster.
If a `KafkaTopic` does exist for a Kafka topic, any configuration changes made outside the resource are reverted.

The Topic Operator can detect cases where where multiple `KafkaTopic` resources are attempting to manage a Kafka topic using the same `.spec.topicName`. 
Only the oldest resource is reconciled, while the other resources fail with a resource conflict error.
