 also the <a href=https://github.com/GoogleContainerTools/distroless#why-should-i-use-distroless-images>Why should I use distroless images?</a> section in the official distroless README.</p><h2 id=install-distroless-images>Install distroless images</h2><p>Follow the <a href=/v1.19/docs/setup/install/istioctl/>Installation Steps</a> to set up Istio.
Add the <code>variant</code> option to use the <em>distroless images</em>.</p><pre><code class=language-bash data-expandlinks=true data-repo=istio>$ istioctl ins