A is correct: Kubernetes’ API can be extended by adding CustomResourceDefinitions (CRDs) and/or by implementing the API Aggregation Layer. These are the two canonical extension mechanisms.

CRDs let you define new resource types (new kinds) that the Kubernetes API server stores in etcd and serves like native objects. You typically pair a CRD with a controller/operator that watches those custom objects and reconciles real resources accordingly. This pattern is foundational to the Kubernetes ecosystem (many popular add-ons install CRDs).

The aggregation layer allows you to add entire API services (aggregated API servers) that serve additional endpoints under the Kubernetes API. This is used when you want custom API behavior, custom storage, or specialized semantics beyond what CRDs provide (or when implementing APIs like metrics APIs historically).

Why the other answers are wrong:

B is not how API extension works. You don’t “extend the API” by inventing new versions like v4beta3; versions are defined and implemented by API servers/controllers, not by users arbitrarily.

C is fictional; there is no standard kubectl extend api command.

D is also incorrect; kubelet parameters configure node agent behavior, not API server types and discovery.

So, the verified ways to extend Kubernetes’ API surface are CRDs and API aggregation, which is option A.

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