:_mod-docs-content-type: ASSEMBLY

// This assembly is included in the following assemblies:
//
// deploying/assembly-deploy-create-cluster.adoc

[id='cluster-operator-{context}']
= Deploying the Cluster Operator

[role="_abstract"]
The first step for any deployment of Strimzi is to install the Cluster Operator, which is responsible for deploying and managing Kafka clusters within a Kubernetes cluster.

A single command applies all the installation files in the `install/cluster-operator` folder: `kubectl apply -f ./install/cluster-operator`.

The command sets up everything you need to be able to create and manage a Kafka deployment, including the following resources:

* Cluster Operator (`Deployment`, `ConfigMap`)
* Strimzi CRDs (`CustomResourceDefinition`)
* RBAC resources (`ClusterRole`, `ClusterRoleBinding`, `RoleBinding`)
* Service account (`ServiceAccount`) 

Cluster-scoped resources like `CustomResourceDefinition`, `ClusterRole`, and `ClusterRoleBinding` require administrator privileges for installation.
Prior to installation, it's advisable to review the `ClusterRole` specifications to ensure they do not grant unnecessary privileges.

After installation, the Cluster Operator runs as a regular `Deployment` to watch for updates of Kafka resources.
For more information, see xref:con-operators-namespaces-str[Operator-watched resources].

Any standard (non-admin) Kubernetes user with privileges to access the `Deployment` can configure it.
A cluster administrator can also grant standard users the xref:adding-users-the-strimzi-admin-role-str[privileges necessary to manage Strimzi custom resources].

By default, a single replica of the Cluster Operator is deployed. 
You can add replicas with leader election so that additional Cluster Operators are on standby in case of disruption. 
For more information, see xref:assembly-using-multiple-cluster-operator-replicas-str[]. 

WARNING:  While the operator can be configured to watch multiple namespaces, each watched namespace should contain only one instance of a specific component type, such as one Kafka cluster, to avoid conflicts.

//Deploy the Cluster Operator to watch a single namespace
include::../../modules/deploying/proc-deploy-cluster-operator-watch-namespace.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
//Deploy the Cluster Operator to watch multiple namespaces
include::../../modules/deploying/proc-deploy-cluster-operator-watch-multiple-namespaces.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
//Deploy the Cluster Operator to watch all namespaces
include::../../modules/deploying/proc-deploy-cluster-operator-watch-whole-cluster.adoc[leveloffset=+1]
