nerdctl vs k3s
nerdctl and k3s share 4 technologies: containerd, github.com/containerd/stargz-snapshotter, github.com/coreos/go-systemd/v22, and github.com/Microsoft/hcsshim. Both are written in Go.
LinkedInWhat they share and what sets them apart
containerd
nerdctl
contaiNERD CTL - Docker-compatible CLI for containerd, with support for Compose, Rootless, eStargz, OCIcrypt, IPFS, ...
Go10.5kRead on November 13, 2026, at commit 27dac94What is nerdctl built with?Only in nerdctl
- github.com/containerd/console
github.com/compose-spec/compose-go/v2
github.com/moby/moby/v2
github.com/containernetworking/cni
github.com/containerd/stargz-snapshotter/estargz
github.com/containernetworking/plugins
- github.com/fahedouch/go-logrotate
github.com/fluent/fluent-logger-golang
In common
- containerd
github.com/coreos/go-systemd/v22
- github.com/Microsoft/hcsshim
k3s-io
k3s
Lightweight Kubernetes
Go34.4kRead on November 14, 2026, at commit c55a7dfWhat is k3s built with?Only in k3s
- net/http
- etcd
- github.com/k3s-io/kine
github.com/ipfs/go-ds-leveldb
- MinIO
- Rancher
- k8s.io/apiserver
- github.com/sirupsen/logrus
- Kubernetes
- github.com/rancher/wharfie
- k8s.io/cloud-provider
- Prometheus
- k8s.io/klog/v2
- github.com/go-logr/logr
- k8s.io/cluster-bootstrap
github.com/containerd/fuse-overlayfs-snapshotter/v2
github.com/pdtpartners/nix-snapshotter
- k8s.io/kubelet
- Docker
- github.com/natefinch/lumberjack
- go.uber.org/zap
github.com/cloudnativelabs/kube-router/v2
github.com/containerd/zfs/v2
github.com/flannel-io/flannel
- github.com/google/cadvisor/lib
github.com/ipfs/go-log/v2
github.com/Mirantis/cri-dockerd
Side by side
nerdctlk3s
SizeLines written by people and agents, without generated ones; code files, without tests.
nerdctl134,383 lines written543 code files
k3s61,452 lines written244 code files
Who writes itA commit counts as AI's when it carries its signature: a Co-Authored-By line, its author name or the merge of its branch.
nerdctl1.8% of its commits signed by AIWith Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor
k3s0.1% of its commits signed by AIWith Claude Code
ActivityFrom GitHub and its history, on the day SeeRepo read it.
nerdctlLast push November 12, 20263,824 commits10,480 stars
k3sLast push November 14, 20263,677 commits34,402 stars
TestsThe files that test the code, and the share of code files a test imports.
nerdctl282 test files33% of its code files have a test that imports them
k3s107 test files33.2% of its code files have a test that imports them
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, nerdctl or k3s?
nerdctl, with 134,383 lines written; k3s has 61,452.
The proof: containerd/nerdctl's code at commit 27dac94
Which has more GitHub stars, nerdctl or k3s?
k3s, with 34,402 stars; nerdctl has 10,480.
The proof: k3s-io/k3s on GitHub
Which has more tests, nerdctl or k3s?
nerdctl, with 282 test files; k3s has 107.
The proof: containerd/nerdctl's code at commit 27dac94
Which was updated more recently, nerdctl or k3s?
k3s: its last push was on November 14, 2026, and nerdctl's on November 12, 2026.
The proof: k3s-io/k3s's commits on GitHub
Which has more commits signed by AI, nerdctl or k3s?
nerdctl: an AI signed 1.8% of its commits, with Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor; in k3s, 0.1%.
The proof: the commits each tool signed in containerd/nerdctl
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