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ctlptl
What it is
ctlptl is a free command-line tool for setting up and managing local Kubernetes clusters with YAML. Its commands cover finding running clusters, creating them, applying cluster configuration, and deleting clusters and their state. It works with Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D; registry support is listed for KIND, Minikube, and K3D. Cluster configuration can include CPU allocation and local registries, and Minikube supports per-cluster Kubernetes version selection. ctlptl can also create clusters on a remote Docker host, a use described for CI environments. Installation options include Homebrew, Scoop, Go install, Docker, and prebuilt binaries; a Docker image with recent kind and ctlptl versions is available for CI. The project supports macOS, Linux, and Windows and is licensed under Apache License 2.0. Its README describes ctlptl as a work in progress and says it is not meant for remote clusters or remote development sandboxes. Anonymized usage statistics are sent by default, with an opt-out command available.
For and against
For
- YAML-based configuration for local Kubernetes clusters.
- Supports Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D.
- Can allocate CPUs and configure local registries.
- Available for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
- Anonymized usage statistics can be disabled.
Against
- The project describes itself as a work in progress.
- Not intended for remote clusters or development sandboxes.
- It is a command-line tool without a graphical interface.
The verdict
ctlptl brings common local cluster setup and cleanup operations into a YAML-driven command-line workflow. Its stated scope excludes remote clusters and remote development sandboxes.
Who it suits
ctlptl suits infrastructure engineers who want a consistent local Kubernetes development environment. It is also suited to users managing common local cluster setup operations from the command line.
Plans and prices
ctlptl
Apache-2.0 licensed · no paid plans or usage limits stated
Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- CI installation
- The installation appendix offers a Docker image containing recent versions of kind and ctlptl for CI environments.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Cluster commands
- Its main commands get running clusters, create clusters, apply cluster configuration, and delete clusters and their state.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The README calls ctlptl a work in progress and welcomes contributions from the Kubernetes community.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Installation platforms
- The project documents installation through Homebrew for Mac and Linux, Scoop for Windows, Go install, Docker, and prebuilt release binaries.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project aims to help infrastructure engineers manage a consistent development environment and support common local cluster setup operations.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository states that ctlptl is licensed under Apache License 2.0.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Remote Docker
- It can create a cluster on a remote Docker host, which the README describes as useful in CI environments such as CircleCI.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Resource configuration
- ctlptl can allocate CPUs and configure local registries alongside clusters.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Scope limitation
- The README says ctlptl is not intended to set up remote clusters or remote development sandboxes.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub's security page says the repository has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Supported cluster tools
- The README lists Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D, including registry support for KIND, Minikube, and K3D.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Usage analytics
- ctlptl sends anonymized usage statistics, and users can opt out with `ctlptl analytics opt out`.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- ctlptl is a command-line tool for declaratively setting up local Kubernetes clusters using YAML.github.com · read 2 Oct 2026
