Bottlerocket is an open-source, Linux-based operating system from AWS designed specifically for running containers. It follows an image-based, mostly immutable approach with a minimal host footprint.
- Container-optimized host: Focused on ECS and Kubernetes-style runtime environments.
- Image-based updates: Atomic updates designed for predictable node lifecycle.
- Minimal package surface: Reduced host components to lower operational and security risk.
- Secure-by-default posture: Designed for hardened container host operations.
- API/settings model: Configuration and lifecycle tuned for managed infrastructure workflows.
- Variant-based images: Different images for platform/runtime targets (AWS EKS, VMware, bare metal, etc.).
- Current Stable: Bottlerocket 1.23.x (March 2026)
- Regular updates: Delivered as full-image updates rather than mutable host package churn.
- Rollout-friendly: Designed for node replacement and staged upgrade patterns.
- Amazon EKS worker nodes
- ECS container hosts
- Security-focused immutable container platforms