add readme

Signed-off-by: ghostloda <[email protected]>

Author: ghostloda

lifecycle/README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+---
+sidebar_position: 0
+keywords: [Sealos, cloud operating system, Kubernetes clusters, cloud-native applications, cluster management, container management, image management, cluster images, Sealos user guide, Rootfs cluster images]
+description: Explore Sealos, a unified cloud OS for managing Kubernetes clusters and cloud-native apps. Learn about cluster management, containers, and images with our comprehensive user guide.
+---
+
+# Kubernetes Lifecycle Management
+
+Sealos provides a powerful set of tools that allow users to easily manage the entire lifecycle of a cluster.
+
+## Features
+
+With Sealos, you can install a bare Kubernetes cluster without any components. Additionally, Sealos can assemble various
+upper-layer distributed applications on top of Kubernetes using cluster image capabilities, such as databases, message
+queues, and more.
+
+Sealos not only allows you to install a single-node Kubernetes development environment but also enables you to build
+production-grade highly available clusters with thousands of nodes.
+
+Sealos offers features like cluster scaling, backup and recovery, and cluster release. It provides an excellent
+Kubernetes runtime experience even in offline environments.
+
+## Key Features
+
+- ARM support. Offline packages v1.20 and above support integration with both containerd and Docker.
+- Provides 99-year certificates and supports cluster backup and upgrade.
+- Does not rely on Ansible, HAProxy, or Keepalived. It is a standalone binary tool with zero dependencies.
+- Provides offline installation. Different versions of Kubernetes only require different cluster images.
+- High availability is achieved through localLB based on IPVS, which consumes fewer resources and provides stability and
+  reliability, similar to kube-proxy implementation.
+- Automatically recognizes image names using image-cri-shim, making offline delivery more convenient.
+- Almost compatible with all x86_64 architectures that support systemd.
+- Easy addition/deletion of cluster nodes.
+- Trusted by tens of thousands of users in production environments, stable and reliable.
+- Supports cluster images, allowing you to customize and combine the cluster components you need, such as OpenEBS
+  storage + database + MinIO object storage.
+- Uses the SDK of Buildah to standardize the image format, fully compatible with OCI standards.
+
+## Running a Kubernetes Cluster with Sealos
+
+Running a Kubernetes cluster with Sealos is straightforward. Just follow these steps:
+
+```bash
+$ curl -sfL  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/labring/sealos/v4.3.0/scripts/install.sh \
+    | sh -s v4.3.0 labring/sealos
+# Create a cluster
+$ sealos run labring/kubernetes:v1.25.0-4.2.0 labring/helm:v3.8.2 labring/calico:v3.24.1 \
+     --masters 192.168.64.2,192.168.64.22,192.168.64.20 \
+     --nodes 192.168.64.21,192.168.64.19 -p [your-ssh-passwd]
+```
+
+[![asciicast](https://asciinema.org/a/519263.svg)](https://asciinema.org/a/519263?speed=3)
+
+## Running Distributed Applications on the Cluster
+
+With the `sealos run` command, you can run various distributed applications on the cluster, such as databases, message
+queues, AI capabilities, and even enterprise-level SaaS software. For example:
+
+```shell
+# MySQL cluster
+$ sealos run labring/mysql-operator:8.0.23-14.1
+
+# Clickhouse cluster
+$ sealos run labring/clickhouse:0.18.4
+
+# Redis cluster
+$ sealos run labring/redis-operator:3.1.4
+```
+
+## Customizing the Cluster
+
+For cluster images not available in the Sealos ecosystem, users can easily build and customize their own cluster images.
+For example:
+
+[Building an Ingress Cluster Image](/developer-guide/lifecycle-management/quick-start/build-ingress-cluster-image.md)
+
+You can also customize your own Kubernetes cluster:
+
+Sealfile:
+
+```shell
+FROM kubernetes:v1.25.0
+COPY flannel-chart .
+COPY mysql-chart .
+CMD ["helm install flannel flannel-chart", "helm install mysql mysql-chart"]
+```
+
+```shell
+sealos build -t my-kubernetes:v1.25.0 .
+sealos run my-kubernetes:v1.25.0 ...
+```
+
+## Frequently Asked Questions
+
+**Is Sealos a Kubernetes installation tool?**
+
+Installation and deployment are basic functions of Sealos, similar to the boot module in a single-node operating system.
+Sealos' boot module effectively manages the lifecycle of Kubernetes in any scenario.
+
+**What are the differences between Sealos, Rancher, and KubeSphere?**
+
+Sealos is designed with the philosophy of "simplifying complexity, freely assembling, and simplicity as the ultimate
+goal." Sealos leverages the capabilities of Kubernetes to provide users with exactly what they need in a simple way.
+Users may not necessarily need Kubernetes; what they need is specific functionality.
+
+Sealos is highly flexible and does not impose additional burdens on users. Its form depends on user requirements and the
+applications being installed. The core of Sealos is distributed applications, and all applications are treated equally.