# Compute environment

A resource representing a deployment target that contributes pipeline steps for compatible application resources.

A compute environment answers where a compatible project, container, or executable resource should be deployed. Examples include deployment targets for Docker Compose, Kubernetes, and Azure.

Compatible compute resources attach to a matching compute environment by default. If several matching environments exist, bind each resource explicitly to the target that should own it.

The compute environment contributes target-specific pipeline behavior. It is not simply an environment name such as Development or Production, nor is it a collection of environment variables.

## Practical example

Add a Kubernetes compute environment and bind your API to it so Aspire can produce the target-specific deployment output.

## Learn more

- [Understand compute environments](https://aspire.dev/deployment/deploy-with-aspire/#compute-environments)

- [Deploy to Kubernetes](https://aspire.dev/deployment/kubernetes/)

## Related terms

- [Deployment pipeline](https://aspire.dev/hub/glossary/deployment-pipeline/)

- [Publish mode](https://aspire.dev/hub/glossary/publish-mode/)

- [Publisher](https://aspire.dev/hub/glossary/publisher/)

- [Resource](https://aspire.dev/hub/glossary/resource/)