OpenShift Objects Reference

Complete list of OpenShift/Kubernetes objects with one-liner explanations.

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🏗️ Workloads

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Pod	po	Smallest deployable unit; one or more containers sharing network/storage	A shipping container on a cargo ship
ReplicaSet	rs	Ensures a specified number of pod replicas are running at all times	A manager ensuring minimum staff on shift
Deployment	deploy	Declarative updates for Pods and ReplicaSets with rollback support	A restaurant menu that can be updated anytime
DeploymentConfig	dc	OpenShift-specific deployment with triggers, hooks, and strategies	A smart recipe that cooks itself when ingredients arrive
StatefulSet	sts	Manages stateful apps with stable network IDs and persistent storage	Assigned parking spots with your name on them
DaemonSet	ds	Ensures a pod runs on all (or selected) nodes in the cluster	Security guard at every building entrance
Job	job	Creates pods that run to completion (batch processing)	A one-time task like cleaning the garage
CronJob	cj	Schedules Jobs to run at specified times (like cron)	An alarm clock that triggers a task
ReplicationController	rc	Legacy way to ensure pod replicas (use Deployment instead)	Old flip phone (still works, but outdated)

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🌐 Networking

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Service	svc	Stable network endpoint to access a set of pods	A phone number that always reaches someone
Endpoints	ep	List of IP addresses for pods backing a service	Contact list behind a call center number
Route	route	OpenShift-specific; exposes services externally with hostname	A street address for your business
Ingress	ing	Kubernetes standard for HTTP/HTTPS routing to services	A reception desk directing visitors
NetworkPolicy	netpol	Rules to control pod-to-pod network traffic	Firewall rules like office door access cards
EgressNetworkPolicy	-	OpenShift-specific; controls outbound traffic from project	Rules about what websites employees can visit

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💾 Storage

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
PersistentVolume	pv	Cluster-wide storage resource provisioned by admin	A storage unit in a warehouse
PersistentVolumeClaim	pvc	User's request for storage; binds to a PV	A rental agreement for a storage unit
StorageClass	sc	Defines storage "classes" for dynamic provisioning	Storage tiers: economy, standard, premium
ConfigMap	cm	Stores non-sensitive configuration as key-value pairs	A sticky note with settings
Secret	secret	Stores sensitive data (passwords, tokens) in base64	A locked safe for passwords

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🏗️ Builds (OpenShift-specific)

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
BuildConfig	bc	Defines how to build container images from source	A recipe card for baking a cake
Build	build	A single execution of a BuildConfig	Actually baking the cake once
ImageStream	is	Tracks images by tag; triggers builds/deployments on changes	A photo album that auto-updates
ImageStreamTag	istag	A specific tagged image within an ImageStream	A labeled photo in the album ("vacation-2024")
ImageStreamImage	-	A specific image by SHA within an ImageStream	A photo identified by its unique fingerprint

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🔐 Security & Access Control

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
ServiceAccount	sa	Identity for pods to authenticate with the API	An employee badge for apps
Role	role	Defines permissions within a namespace	Job description listing allowed tasks
ClusterRole	clusterrole	Defines permissions cluster-wide	Company-wide access policy
RoleBinding	rolebinding	Grants Role to users/groups in a namespace	Assigning a job title to a person
ClusterRoleBinding	clusterrolebinding	Grants ClusterRole to users/groups cluster-wide	Giving someone company-wide admin access
SecurityContextConstraints	scc	OpenShift-specific; defines pod security policies	Building security rules (no weapons, ID required)
PodSecurityPolicy	psp	Kubernetes pod security (deprecated in K8s 1.25)	Old security rulebook (being replaced)

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📁 Namespace & Projects

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Namespace	ns	Kubernetes isolation boundary for resources	A separate apartment in a building
Project	project	OpenShift wrapper around namespace with extra metadata	An apartment with a nameplate and mailbox
ResourceQuota	quota	Limits total resource consumption in a namespace	Monthly budget cap for a department
LimitRange	limits	Default/max resource limits for pods in namespace	Min/max salary range for job positions

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📋 Configuration & Templates

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Template	template	OpenShift-specific; parameterized resource definitions	A fill-in-the-blanks form
HorizontalPodAutoscaler	hpa	Auto-scales pods based on CPU/memory or custom metrics	Hiring more cashiers when lines get long
VerticalPodAutoscaler	vpa	Recommends/sets resource requests and limits	Upgrading an employee's desk/computer
PodDisruptionBudget	pdb	Limits voluntary disruptions during maintenance	Minimum staff required during renovations
PriorityClass	pc	Defines scheduling priority for pods	VIP vs regular queue at airport

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🔄 Operators & CRDs

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
CustomResourceDefinition	crd	Extends Kubernetes API with custom resources	Adding new words to a dictionary
Operator	-	Application that manages other applications via CRDs	A robot manager that handles routine tasks
OperatorGroup	og	Defines operator's target namespaces	Manager's jurisdiction (which departments)
Subscription	sub	Subscribes to an operator from a catalog	Subscribing to a magazine
ClusterServiceVersion	csv	Describes an operator version and its requirements	Product spec sheet with version number
CatalogSource	catsrc	Source of operator packages	An app store for operators
InstallPlan	ip	Plan for installing operator resources	Installation checklist

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🖥️ Cluster & Nodes

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Node	node	A worker machine in the cluster	A single computer/server
MachineSet	machineset	Defines and manages a group of machines	A fleet of delivery trucks
Machine	machine	Represents a single machine/node	One truck in the fleet
MachineConfig	mc	Defines node configuration (OS, kubelet, etc.)	Standard specs for all trucks
MachineConfigPool	mcp	Groups nodes for configuration management	Truck categories (small, medium, large)

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📊 Monitoring & Observability

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
Event	ev	Records significant occurrences in the cluster	A diary entry of what happened
ServiceMonitor	sm	Defines how Prometheus should scrape metrics	Instructions for a health inspector
PodMonitor	pm	Defines Prometheus scraping for specific pods	Fitness tracker for specific apps
PrometheusRule	-	Defines alerting and recording rules	"Call me if temperature exceeds 100°F"
AlertManager	-	Manages alerts from Prometheus	A 911 dispatcher routing emergencies

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🔧 Other Objects

Object	Short	Description	Analogy
ComponentStatus	cs	Health status of cluster components	Dashboard showing system health
Lease	lease	Used for leader election and node heartbeats	"I'm still here" check-in system
EndpointSlice	-	Scalable way to track network endpoints	Phone book split into sections
RuntimeClass	-	Selects container runtime configuration	Choosing which engine to run containers
MutatingWebhookConfiguration	-	Modifies objects before persistence	Auto-correct before saving
ValidatingWebhookConfiguration	-	Validates objects before persistence	Spell-check before saving

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📊 Quick Reference by Category

Workloads:    Pod, Deployment, DeploymentConfig, StatefulSet, DaemonSet, Job, CronJob
Networking:   Service, Route, Ingress, NetworkPolicy
Storage:      PV, PVC, StorageClass, ConfigMap, Secret
Builds:       BuildConfig, Build, ImageStream
Security:     ServiceAccount, Role, RoleBinding, SCC
Scaling:      HPA, VPA, PodDisruptionBudget
Operators:    CRD, Subscription, CSV, CatalogSource

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🛠️ Get All Objects Command

# List all API resources with their short names
oc api-resources

# List resources in a namespace
oc api-resources --namespaced=true

# List cluster-scoped resources
oc api-resources --namespaced=false

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Last updated: February 2026