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Kusk Gateway
What it is
Kusk Gateway is a free, open-source Kubernetes API gateway powered by Envoy and built around OpenAPI. It uses OpenAPI definitions to configure a Kubernetes cluster’s Ingress Controller, for teams following an OpenAPI-first workflow. Kusk can mock responses for prototyping and automatically validate requests and responses. Teams can set request timeouts and CORS without coding, and manage headers, CORS, limits, and quality of service globally or for individual paths. Its open-source dashboard supports deploying and managing APIs, editing and validating specifications, and testing APIs. The maker says an API can be published by adding an annotation to a service deployment, without additional configuration or DevOps support. Kusk Gateway can be installed on Mac, Linux, or Windows, and is licensed under MIT. The maker presents it for teams building REST APIs on Kubernetes. The project links to a Discord community and GitHub project. It is self-hosted, with rate limiting and authentication policies listed.
For and against
For
- Uses OpenAPI definitions to configure Kubernetes Ingress.
- Can mock API responses before an API is built.
- Automatically validates requests and responses.
- Dashboard supports API management and testing.
- Free and licensed under MIT.
Against
- Deployment model is self-hosted.
- Focused on Kubernetes API workflows.
- Install options listed are Mac, Linux, and Windows.
The verdict
Kusk Gateway brings OpenAPI-based configuration, validation, and API management to Kubernetes. It is free and self-hosted, with support for installations on Mac, Linux, and Windows.
Who it suits
It suits teams building REST APIs on Kubernetes with an OpenAPI-first workflow. It is a self-hosted option for teams seeking an open-source gateway and dashboard.
Plans and prices
Free
MIT-licensed open-source gateway; self-hosted Kubernetes deployment
Read 15 Oct 2026 · kusk.io
Kusk Gateway
100% open source · MIT License
Read 5 Oct 2026 · kusk.io
On the record
- API management
- The Kusk site describes a dashboard for deploying and managing APIs, editing and validating specifications, and testing APIs.kusk.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- API workflow
- Kusk uses OpenAPI definitions to configure the Ingress Controller of Kubernetes clusters.docs.kusk.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Documented authentication modes include JWT, OAuth2/OIDC, custom authorization and Cloudentity.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- CLI installation methods
- Installation options include Homebrew, a shell script, Debian/Ubuntu APT, Windows Chocolatey, release binaries and go install.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- CLI platforms
- The Kusk CLI is distributed for macOS, Linux and Windows.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Community
- Kusk's documentation links to a Discord community and GitHub project.docs.kusk.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project directs users to GitHub contribution workflows and a Discord community for feedback.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company ownership event
- InfraCloud reported on July 7, 2022 that Kubeshop acquired a majority stake in BotKube and was backed by Insight Partners and Ratmir Timashev.infracloud.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company profile
- Crunchbase describes Kubeshop as a private Wilmington, Delaware company with 11–50 employees and Dmitry Fonarev as CEO and co-founder.crunchbase.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- CORS and timeouts
- CORS, request timeouts, retries and idle timeouts can be configured through the x-kusk OpenAPI extension.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Dashboard
- The browser dashboard inspects APIs, Envoy Fleets and Static Routes and embeds Swagger UI for ad-hoc API requests.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Kusk says APIs can be published by adding an annotation to a service deployment, without additional configuration or DevOps support.kusk.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The repository README says Kubeshop has paused active development and support, while still considering incoming pull requests.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Documentation includes getting-started tutorials, CLI reference, dashboard reference, Kubernetes resources, guides and a detailed OpenAPI extension reference.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Gateway components
- The installation can include Gateway Manager, Envoy Fleets, a REST API server and a dashboard.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent project feedback
- The GitHub issue tracker records an unassigned request for API logs and analytics, indicating a documented observability gap at that time.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation model
- Kusk installs into Kubernetes with Helm through the kusk cluster install command.docs.kusk.io · read 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents Kusk for teams building modern REST APIs on Kubernetes and following an OpenAPI-first APIOps workflow.kusk.io · read 5 Oct 2026
