Definition. A minimal, immutable, API-driven Linux distribution built specifically for running Kubernetes. Talos has no SSH and no shell, configures nodes exclusively through a gRPC API with signed machine configurations, runs entirely read-only and applies updates atomically as an A/B switch.

Why it matters. For mid-sized operators who maintain a few worker nodes themselves, Talos reduces the attack surface and simplifies patch management considerably compared with a classic server Linux.

Related. Immutable Infrastructure, Kubernetes Worker Node, Flatcar Linux, Bottlerocket