Docker in Docker, Kaniko, and Buildpacks: How to build containers in containers on Kubernetes.

Kubernetes (K8s) is a popular choice for hosting containerized workloads due to its ability to orchestrate components across regions and zones. However, using Kubernetes to host CI/CD workloads can be challenging due to the dynamism of build caches in shared compute environments. This article explores three main options for building Docker images in a Kubernetes environment: Docker-in-Docker (DiD), Kaniko, and Buildpacks. DiD involves running Docker within a Docker container but can lead to security and performance issues. Kaniko is an open-source project that builds container images from a Dockerfile without requiring privileged access to the Docker daemon. Buildpacks is a centralized, automated solution that builds Docker images from code without needing a Dockerfile, offering multi-language support and composability of buildpacks. Each approach has its tradeoffs, but understanding these options can help developers make informed choices for their CI/CD workloads in Kubernetes environments.