Prometheus is an open-source monitoring and alerting toolkit designed for reliability and scale. Originally developed at SoundCloud, it collects metrics from configured targets at regular intervals, stores them efficiently, and enables powerful queries and real-time alerts. It is widely used in cloud-native environments such as Kubernetes.
The name “Prometheus” comes from Greek mythology. Prometheus was the Titan who defied Zeus by stealing fire from Mount Olympus and giving it to humanity. This fire symbolized not only warmth and survival, but also knowledge, empowerment, and the power of foresight. As punishment, Prometheus was bound to a rock, where an eagle would eat his liver each day, only for it to regenerate overnight.
Julius Volz and Matt T. Proud, the creators, chose the name to reflect the tool’s mission: to illuminate the inner workings of complex systems. Like its namesake, Prometheus brings light to what was once hidden, empowering developers with insight and control.
The logo of Prometheus represents a stylized orange symbolizing a flame, inspired by the mythological figure who brought fire. The logo reflects the software’s role in illuminating and monitoring system metrics for better visibility and alerting.
