Skip to content

Kubernetes MCP Server

Interact with Kubernetes clusters. Manage pods, deployments, services, and troubleshoot cluster issues.

Capabilities
Pods Deployments Services Namespaces
Maintained by
Community (strowk)
Hosting
Runs locally on your machine
Authentication
None beyond local access
Last checked

Uses your local kubeconfig.

How to connect the Kubernetes MCP server

Pick your AI client and paste the snippet. New to this? Our guide to how MCP clients and servers fit together explains what each piece does.

Claude Code

Terminal
claude mcp add --transport stdio kubernetes \
  -- npx @strowk/mcp-k8s
Full Claude Code setup guide →

Claude Desktop

claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kubernetes": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@strowk/mcp-k8s"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop after saving.

Full Claude Desktop setup guide →

Cursor

~/.cursor/mcp.json (or .cursor/mcp.json in a project)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kubernetes": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@strowk/mcp-k8s"
      ]
    }
  }
}
Full Cursor setup guide →

VS Code

.vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "kubernetes": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@strowk/mcp-k8s"
      ]
    }
  }
}
Full VS Code setup guide →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Kubernetes MCP server?

It is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server — a small piece of software that gives AI assistants like Claude a secure, governed connection to Kubernetes. Interact with Kubernetes clusters. Manage pods, deployments, services, and troubleshoot cluster issues.

Is there an official Kubernetes MCP server?

Not from Kubernetes itself. This one is community-maintained (strowk). It is widely used, but review the repository and pin a version before relying on it in production.

Is the Kubernetes MCP server hosted, or do I run it myself?

It runs locally. Your AI client starts it on your own machine with npx, and it talks to the client over standard input and output rather than the network.

Do I need an API key for the Kubernetes MCP server?

No. It runs on your machine with your own permissions, so there is no key to create.

What can an AI assistant actually do with Kubernetes?

Through this server an assistant can work with pods, deployments, services, namespaces — reading from and acting on Kubernetes directly instead of you copy-pasting between windows. What you allow it to do is controlled by the permissions you grant.

How do I set this up for my business?

The setup section above has copy-paste config for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code. If you want it rolled out across a team with permissions, governance and support handled, that is what Crox's Build engagement covers.

New to MCP? Start with our plain-English guide to the Model Context Protocol or see how to connect AI to your business tools without writing code .

Done-for-you integration

Want this connected to your business — with governance handled?

Crox maps your processes, connects AI to the tools you already use, and keeps it working as models change. Start with a readiness assessment or talk to us about a build.