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What is OpenChoreo

Introduction​

OpenChoreo is a complete, modular, open-source developer platform for Kubernetes that brings together the abstractions platform and application teams actually need, development and architecture guardrails, a Backstage-powered developer portal, application CI/CD, GitOps, and observability, in a single, cohesive platform.

OpenChoreo orchestrates Kubernetes and other CNCF and open-source projects to give platform teams a strong head start. You can use it as-is, or tailor it to fit your own internal developer platform vision.

A high-level overview of OpenChoreo

How OpenChoreo works​

OpenChoreo is built on a multi-plane architecture that separates concerns of control, runtime data, workflows and observability. It uses a unified API surface and a modular architecture to deliver a holistic platform experience that is greater than what any combination of tools could offer on its own.

This multi-plane architecture provides flexible deployment topologies across multiple clusters and cloud providers. It also lets platform builders scale and evolve at their own pace without re-architecting the entire platform as requirements and tools change, which is inevitable when treating an internal developer platform as a product.

OpenChoreo is designed to be highly extensible when it comes to your choice of platform tooling: you can choose what makes sense for your organization and leave out what doesn't. This is enabled by a module-based architecture that allows other projects and tools to be integrated with OpenChoreo's core APIs and concepts without impacting the unified end-user experience. You can choose to use OpenChoreo's default modules, or swap them out for your own preferred choices from the modules catalog, or build your own modules.

Learn more about OpenChoreo's architecture →

Why OpenChoreo?​

Many organizations are investing in internal developer platforms to improve developer velocity, reduce cognitive load, enforce organization-wide standards, and lower overall operational complexity. However, designing, building and maintaining a production-grade platform is a difficult task.

Teams tasked with building these platforms often face challenges such as:

  • Managing the complexity and cognitive load of the Kubernetes API and its auxiliary ecosystem to keep developer experience simple and intuitive
  • Integrating, maintaining and standardizing CI/CD, observability, security, and policy tools
  • Meeting compliance and governance requirements
  • Operating reliably across multiple clusters and clouds
  • Supporting AI-assisted/driven engineering and operations through the platform
  • Managing access controls and multi-tenancy between teams, projects, tools and runtime resources

OpenChoreo addresses these challenges by providing an IDP that is usable from day one, including:

  • A scalable, modular architecture for your internal developer platform
  • Platform APIs and abstractions as building blocks
  • Programmable developer abstractions and golden paths covering the SDLC
  • Integrated, intelligent observability (logs, metrics, traces, and alerts)
  • Built-in agents (for site reliability engineering, cost control, and architecture)
  • AI-assisted/driven development and operations
  • Declarative platform and application state with Kubernetes as the system of record (native GitOps)
  • Multi-tenancy and access controls for enterprise teams
  • A module catalog to integrate external tools, or build your own

And unlike many platforms that attempt to hide Kubernetes behind proprietary layers or "black box" abstractions, OpenChoreo keeps Kubernetes visible and operable. This allows infrastructure and platform teams to maintain full control, while still providing their development/application teams with a simplified and intuitive experience through programmable, intent-driven abstractions and golden paths.

As a guiding principle, OpenChoreo does not obscure Kubernetes; rather, it augments it into a complete developer platform. All platform APIs and programmable developer abstractions are Kubernetes-native and are reconciled by OpenChoreo's controllers in the control plane, delivering a cohesive, integrated platform experience without sacrificing transparency.

OpenChoreo was originally developed by WSO2, as the successor and next evolution of its SaaS WSO2 Developer Platform (formerly known as WSO2 Choreo), bringing years of battle-hardened platform engineering experience and lessons learnt, to the CNCF open-source community.

Getting Started​

Ready to try OpenChoreo? Start here:

  1. Architecture - Learn more about OpenChoreo's multi-plane architecture and how it all works under the hood
  2. Quick Start Guide - Experience OpenChoreo locally in a few minutes with just Docker
  3. Try It Out - Run Locally or On Your Environment
  4. Concepts - Learn more about OpenChoreo's core concepts and abstractions
  5. Platform Engineer Guide - Learn how to set up in production, configure developer workflows and govern your platform
  6. Developer Guide - For end-users of the platform: learn how to build, deploy and observe your applications with self-service
  7. Working with AI - Learn how to use your AI assistants (Claude Code, Codex, etc.) with OpenChoreo and set up the built-in platform agents

Roadmap​

See our Roadmap for upcoming features and milestones.

Community​

We’d love for you to be part of OpenChoreo’s journey! Whether you’re fixing a bug, improving documentation, or suggesting new features, every contribution counts.

We’re excited to have you on board!