# containerd

> containerd is the industry standard container runtime that pulls images and manages the lifecycle of containers for Docker and Kubernetes.

- Source: https://www.itwonderlab.com/containerd/
- Published: 2026-08-17
- Updated: 2026-08-17
- Author: Javier Ruiz Jiménez (https://www.javierruizjimenez.com/)
- Site: IT Wonder Lab (https://www.itwonderlab.com/)

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**containerd** is a CNCF graduated runtime. [Docker](https://www.itwonderlab.com/docker/) uses it internally, [K3s](https://www.itwonderlab.com/k3s/) and [Kubernetes](https://www.itwonderlab.com/kubernetes/) call it through the CRI, and [Rancher Desktop](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop/) can use it with `nerdctl`.

### Key concepts

- **Image management**: pull, store and unpack images.
- **runc**: the low-level runtime it calls to start containers.
- **nerdctl**: a Docker compatible client.

### Learn it

Read [containerd vs dockerd](https://www.itwonderlab.com/rancher-desktop-containerd-vs-dockerd/).