Cloud platforms · MCP server
Kubernetes MCP server: MCP server, setup and security
Kubernetes MCP server is an open-source MCP server that lets an AI agent interact with Kubernetes and OpenShift through the MCP protocol. Its repository has 2,180 stars and its last commit is from October 23, 2026 and it is licensed under Apache-2.0.
| Adoption (stars) | 33/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 15/30 |
What Kubernetes MCP server does
According to its repository: “A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Kubernetes and OpenShift”
An MCP server gives an AI agent extra tools it calls during the conversation: the agent reads their description, decides to use them and gets the result back. Kubernetes MCP server is listed under Cloud platforms, a category of 116 servers in the directory, where it ranks #7 by stars.
Topics declared by the repository: containers, context, kubernetes, model, openshift, protocol.
Installing and connecting Kubernetes MCP server
Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:
- npm package (Node.js, usually started with
npx) - PyPI package (Python, started with
uvxorpip) - Docker (OCI) image
Like any MCP server, you declare it in your client's configuration (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex…): a name, the command that starts it or its URL, and any environment variables. The client then starts it and lists its tools. Project language: Go.
Security: what to check
An MCP server runs code with the rights you give it, and the model reads its tool descriptions: a malicious or compromised server can hijack the agent. Read the code, or pick a maintained and widely used server, before connecting it.
None of the risk signals we track (system access, secrets, missing licence, abandonment) applies to Kubernetes MCP server. That does not replace reading the code.
Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.
Project activity and maintenance
Created on February 11, 2025, the containers/kubernetes-mcp-server repository has 2,180 stars and 465 forks, with 65 open issues. It has more stars than 95% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.0.67 (September 18, 2026).
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
Kubernetes MCP server is one of the most solid servers in its category: followed, maintained and well framed.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Widely followed: 2.2K stars
- Listed in the official MCP registry
- Permissive licence (Apache-2.0)
Alternatives
- MCP server cloudflare4.4K ★
- Awslabs MCP9.8K ★
- Terraform1.6K ★
- Kubefwd4.2K ★
- Coder17.2K ★
- Kubeshark12.1K ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Kubernetes MCP server?
Kubernetes MCP server is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx), PyPI package (Python, started with uvx or pip), and Docker (OCI) image. Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of containers/kubernetes-mcp-server.
Is Kubernetes MCP server free?
The code is published under the Apache-2.0 licence and can be used free of charge.
Is Kubernetes MCP server safe?
No risk signal found (system access, secrets, licence, abandonment). As with any MCP server, keep rights minimal and read the code before sensitive use.
Is it an official server?
Nothing says so: it is a project published by containers on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.
What are the alternatives to Kubernetes MCP server?
In the same category: MCP server cloudflare, Awslabs MCP, Terraform, and Kubefwd. MCP server cloudflare and Awslabs MCP score higher on our grid.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score