How to: Operator pattern
[Operators](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/extend-kubernetes/operator/) are software extensions to Kubernetes that make use of custom resources to manage applications and their components. The operator pattern captures how you can write code to automate a task beyond what Kubernetes itself provides.

Kubernetes' operator pattern concept lets you extend the cluster's behaviour without modifying the code of Kubernetes itself by linking [controllers](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/architecture/controller/) (a non-terminating loop, or control loop, that regulates the cluster to a desired state) to one or more custom resources. Operators are clients of the Kubernetes API that act as controllers for a Custom Resource.

Although, you can write your own operator, majority prefer to find ready-made operators on community websites like [OperatorHub.io](https://operatorhub.io/). Many Kubernetes solutions are provided as operators like [Prometheus](https://prometheus.io/) or Tigera (calico).

> This lab requires the Calico plugin. You will need to delete and start a new cluster if your current one doesn't support Calico