# Store the Redpanda Data Directory in emptyDir Volumes

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/llms.txt). Component-specific: [streaming-full.txt](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming-full.txt)

---
title: Store the Redpanda Data Directory in emptyDir Volumes
latest-operator-version: v26.1.4
# EOL = End-of-Life (support lifecycle status)
page-is-nearing-eol: "false"
page-is-past-eol: "true"
page-eol-date: April 30, 2025
latest-console-tag: v3.7.3
latest-connect-version: 4.93.0
docname: kubernetes/storage/k-emptydir
page-component-name: streaming
page-version: "24.1"
page-component-version: "24.1"
page-component-title: Streaming
page-relative-src-path: kubernetes/storage/k-emptydir.adoc
page-edit-url: https://github.com/redpanda-data/docs/edit/v/24.1/modules/manage/pages/kubernetes/storage/k-emptydir.adoc
description: Learn how to configure Redpanda to store the data directory in Kubernetes <code>emptyDir</code> volumes. This setup is only for development environments.
page-git-created-date: "2024-01-04"
page-git-modified-date: "2024-02-26"
support-status: past end-of-life
---

<!-- Source: https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/manage/kubernetes/storage/k-emptydir.md -->

You can configure Redpanda to use Kubernetes [`emptyDir`](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/manage/kubernetes/storage/k-volume-types/) volumes to store the Redpanda data directory.

> ⚠️ **WARNING**
>
> Use `emptyDir` volumes only for development environments. When a Pod is removed from a node for any reason, the data in the `emptyDir` volume is deleted permanently.

## [](#prerequisites)Prerequisites

You must have the following:

-   Kubernetes cluster: Ensure you have a running Kubernetes cluster, either locally, such as with minikube or kind, or remotely.

-   [Kubectl](https://kubernetes.io/docs/tasks/tools/#kubectl): Ensure you have the `kubectl` command-line tool installed and configured to communicate with your cluster.


## [](#configure-redpanda-to-use-emptydir-volumes)Configure Redpanda to use emptyDir volumes

Both the Redpanda Helm chart and the Redpanda custom resource provide an interface for configuring `emptyDir` volumes.

To store the Redpanda data directory in `emptyDir` volumes:

### Helm + Operator

`redpanda-cluster.yaml`

```yaml
apiVersion: cluster.redpanda.com/v1alpha1
kind: Redpanda
metadata:
name: redpanda
spec:
chartRef: {}
clusterSpec:
  storage:
    hostPath: ""
    persistentVolume:
      enabled: false
```

```bash
kubectl apply -f redpanda-cluster.yaml --namespace <namespace>
```

### Helm

#### --values

`emptydir.yaml`

```yaml
storage:
hostPath: ""
persistentVolume:
  enabled: false
```

```bash
helm upgrade --install redpanda redpanda/redpanda --namespace <namespace> --create-namespace \
--values emptydir.yaml --reuse-values
```

#### --set

```bash
helm upgrade --install redpanda redpanda/redpanda \
  --namespace <namespace> \
  --create-namespace \
  --set storage.hostPath="" \
  --set storage.persistentVolume.enabled=false
```

-   `storage.hostPath`: Absolute path on the host to store the Redpanda data directory. If unspecified, then an `emptyDir` volume is used.

-   `storage.persistentVolume.enabled`: Determine if a PersistentVolumeClaim (PVC) should be created for the Redpanda data directory. When set to `false`, a PVC is not created.


## [](#suggested-reading)Suggested reading

-   [Supported Volume Types for Data in Redpanda](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/manage/kubernetes/storage/k-volume-types/)

-   For more details about `emptyDir` volumes, see the [Kubernetes documentation](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/storage/volumes/#emptydir).

-   [Redpanda Helm Specification](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/reference/k-redpanda-helm-spec/)

-   [Redpanda CRD Reference](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/reference/k-crd/)


## [](#next-steps)Next steps

[Monitor disk usage](https://docs.redpanda.com/streaming/24.1/manage/kubernetes/monitoring/#infrastructure-resources) to detect issues early, optimize performance, and plan capacity.

## Suggested labs

-   [Redpanda Iceberg Docker Compose Example](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/iceberg/)
-   [Enable Unified Identity with Azure Entra ID for Redpanda and Redpanda Console](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/oidc/)
-   [Owl Shop Example Application in Docker](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/owl-shop/)
-   [Migrate Data with Redpanda Migrator](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/redpanda-migrator/)
-   [Start a Single Redpanda Broker with Redpanda Console in Docker](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/single-broker/)
-   [Start a Cluster of Redpanda Brokers with Redpanda Console in Docker](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/docker-compose/three-brokers/)
-   [Iceberg Streaming on Kubernetes with Redpanda, MinIO, and Spark](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs/kubernetes/iceberg/)

See more

[Search all labs](https://docs.redpanda.com/labs)