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Kube Inspector
What it is
Kube Inspector is a free desktop client for viewing and managing Kubernetes clusters on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can inspect and manage Pods, Deployments, StatefulSets, Jobs, and CronJobs. A Monaco YAML editor with schema validation supports viewing and applying changes. CPU and memory readings for clusters, nodes, pods, and workloads are displayed over time, but require metrics-server in the cluster. Security tools include an interactive RBAC graph and Trivy image vulnerability scanning. The app reads existing kubeconfig files and supports conformant local and managed clusters, including kind, minikube, k3s, EKS, GKE, and AKS. Users can add multiple clusters, with each open panel pinned to the cluster it was opened with. A separately packaged terminal UI provides the same features for terminal and SSH use. The project describes the release as beta and says bugs are expected. It has no support desk, and response times through its issue tracker are not guaranteed. The app states that it has no telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or usage statistics.
For and against
For
- Free and open source, with no account or sign-in
- Supports multiple local and managed clusters
- Includes YAML schema validation and an RBAC graph
- No telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or usage statistics
Against
- The release is beta, and bugs are expected
- CPU and memory readings require metrics-server
- macOS builds support Apple Silicon only
- No support desk or guaranteed issue-tracker response
The verdict
Kube Inspector offers cluster management, YAML editing, and security tools at no charge. Its beta status, metrics-server requirement, and limited support are worth considering before relying on it.
Who it suits
Kube Inspector suits Kubernetes users who want a visual desktop client or terminal interface for managing local and managed clusters. It may also suit users who prefer cluster data to travel between their machine and the cluster API server rather than being collected through telemetry.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open source · no paid tier, account, or sign-in
Read 3 Oct 2026 · kubeinspector.com
On the record
- CLI
- A separately packaged terminal UI, kube-inspector-cli, provides the same features and is intended for terminal and SSH use.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Cluster compatibility
- It reads existing kubeconfig files and supports conformant local and managed Kubernetes clusters, including kind, minikube, k3s, EKS, GKE, and AKS.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Local AI integration
- The optional AI assistant uses Ollama, with prompts and tool results sent to the configured Ollama host rather than a cloud provider by default.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- It displays CPU and memory usage for clusters, nodes, pods, and workloads over time; these readings require metrics-server in the cluster.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Multi-cluster
- Users can add multiple clusters, and each open panel stays pinned to the cluster it was opened with.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Notable limitations
- macOS builds are Apple Silicon only, and builds are not code-signed.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The app states that it has no telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, or usage statistics; cluster data travels between the user's machine and the cluster API server.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Release maturity
- The support page describes the release as beta and says bugs are expected.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Resource management
- It supports inspecting and managing workloads including Pods, Deployments, StatefulSets, Jobs, and CronJobs.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Scanning limits
- Vulnerability scanning needs network access to download Trivy's database on first use, does not scan images in private registries, and does not scan cluster misconfiguration.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Security features
- It includes an interactive RBAC graph and Trivy image vulnerability scanning.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- There is no support desk; the project directs users to its issue tracker and does not guarantee response times.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Kube Inspector is a visual desktop client for viewing and managing Kubernetes clusters.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- YAML editor
- The app includes a Monaco YAML editor with schema validation for viewing and applying changes.kubeinspector.com · read 3 Oct 2026
