Knative Functions overview

Knative Functions lets you create, build, and deploy function projects as Knative Services using the func CLI or the kn func plugin. Choose a learning path, a specific task, or an explanation before looking up individual command options.

Getting started with functions

For a guided first function, follow the Functions learning route: install the CLI, create a project, edit the handler, and test it locally. The local exercise does not require a Knative cluster or permission to publish an image.

Deployment is optional and has additional registry and cluster prerequisites. If you choose that next step and need a disposable development cluster, start with the Knative Quickstart environment.

If you already have an environment and know your goal, use the task guides below instead of restarting the tutorial.

Accomplish a task

Goal	Guide
Install the CLI or plugin	Installing Knative Functions
Start a function project	Creating functions
Build an image locally, or build and deploy on the cluster	Building functions
Publish an image without deploying	Publish without deploying
Test a function on your machine	Running functions
Make a function available on Knative	Deploying functions
Send a request to a function	Invoking functions
Receive CloudEvents from a Broker	Subscribe functions to CloudEvents
Use an additional language pack	Language packs

For a new project, the task journey is create → run and test locally → deploy → invoke remotely → subscribe to Broker events, if needed. Separate build and publish steps are optional: local containerized run builds as needed, and deployment normally builds and publishes. Local-only development does not require a Knative cluster.

If you already have an application container rather than a Functions project, use Serving's service deployment guide.

Understand Functions

Read How Knative Functions fits together for the relationship between a project, a container image, a deployed Service, and the local/on-cluster build choices.

Function templates

Templates initialize a project for a language and invocation format. See function templates for the available templates and their upstream documentation.

Language packs

See language packs for their role and the upstream language-pack contract, or use an additional pack if you are ready to configure one.

Look up commands and contracts

• func command reference — subcommands, flags, and options, maintained in the func repository. This link follows the documentation release branch when configured; otherwise it points to main.
• Function template documentation — language-specific contracts maintained upstream.
• CLI tools — choose between kubectl, kn, and func, and find cluster-access guidance.

Use reference matching your installed CLI version when checking available flags. The task guides supply workflow context; they are not a replacement for the upstream command reference.