MCP Server Kubernetes

What is MCP Server Kubernetes?

MCP Server Kubernetes is a Model Context Protocol server that connects to a Kubernetes cluster and allows AI assistants like Claude to manage it. It is designed for developers and operators who want to interact with their cluster via natural language.

How to use MCP Server Kubernetes?

Install and run via npx mcp-server-kubernetes and configure it in Claude Desktop by adding the command to mcpServers. The server automatically uses your current kubectl context. You can also use it with npx mcp-chat or run locally for development. Requires kubectl, a valid kubeconfig, and access to a cluster; Helm v3 is optional.

Key features of MCP Server Kubernetes

• List pods, services, deployments, and nodes
• Create, describe, and delete pods
• Create custom pod and deployment configs, update replicas
• Get logs from pods, deployments, jobs, and label selectors
• Full Helm v3 support: install, uninstall, upgrade releases
• kubectl explain and api-resources support
• Port forward to a pod or service

Use cases of MCP Server Kubernetes

• Manage Kubernetes resources through natural language in Claude Desktop
• Debug running applications by fetching logs and events
• Automate Helm chart installations and upgrades
• Safely explore a cluster with non-destructive read-only access
• Create and manage cronjobs for scheduled tasks

FAQ from MCP Server Kubernetes

What are the prerequisites to use MCP Server Kubernetes?

You need kubectl installed and in your PATH, a valid kubeconfig file with configured contexts, and access to a Kubernetes cluster (e.g. minikube, Rancher Desktop, GKE). Helm v3 is optional but required for Helm features.

How do I verify the connection to my cluster?

Run kubectl get pods in a standard terminal to check connectivity. If successful, ask Claude to list pods or create a test deployment.

What is non-destructive mode?

Non-destructive mode restricts the server to read and create/update-only operations, preventing destructive actions. It is enabled via the ALLOW_ONLY_NON_DESTRUCTIVE_TOOLS environment variable (see ADVANCED_README.md).

Does MCP Server Kubernetes support Helm?

Yes, it supports Helm v3 for installing charts with custom values, uninstalling releases, upgrading existing releases, and working with namespaces, version specification, and custom repositories.

What runtime does MCP Server Kubernetes require?

The server is built with Bun and can be run via npx (Node.js) or directly with Node after building. Local development requires Bun installed.