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Headlamp

headlamp.dev

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Spec score 8.9 #3 of 28 in Container Management Software

What it is

Headlamp is a free graphical interface for managing Kubernetes clusters, available as a browser-based application and a desktop app. It adjusts its controls to Kubernetes role-based permissions, so users see only actions their role allows. Users can monitor multiple clusters and switch between them in the interface. A plugin system extends core functionality for specific workflows, with integrations including Backstage, Flux, Inspektor Gadget, Kompose, Kubescape, KubeVirt, OpenCost, Prometheus, and Trivy. Headlamp can be deployed in a Kubernetes cluster using Helm or YAML configuration. Documented sign-in methods include client certificates, bearer tokens, and OIDC. The project says a user token may be stored in browser local storage, but not in its backend or server. Its plugin guidance warns that plugins share the main application’s JavaScript context and recommends installing only trusted plugins. Headlamp is available at no charge under Apache 2.0. The project says it tests its desktop app on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Support options include documentation, community Slack, GitHub issues, and monthly community meetings.

Spec sheet

What it does
Headlamp is a graphical web interface for managing Kubernetes clusters and resources.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Purpose
Headlamp is a graphical user interface tailored to simplify Kubernetes cluster management.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Deployment
Headlamp can be deployed in a Kubernetes cluster using Helm or a YAML configuration.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Integrations
Documented CNCF-related integrations include Backstage, Flux, Inspektor Gadget, Kompose, KubeScape, KubeVirt, OpenCost, Prometheus, and Trivy.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Support
The project directs users to its documentation, community Slack, GitHub issues, and monthly community meeting for help.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
License
The source repository states that Headlamp is released under the Apache 2.0 license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
App-store availability
The official installation pages provide desktop binaries and package-manager installs, while no official Headlamp Kubernetes listing or rating is shown on the searched Google Play, Apple App Store, Chrome Web Store, or Microsoft Store pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Authentication
In-cluster deployments support OIDC sign-in with configurable client, issuer, scopes, callback URL, token validation, and access-token options.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Browser support
The project reports testing on Edge, Safari, Firefox, and Chrome, while Internet Explorer 11 is unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
CNCF status
CNCF lists Headlamp as an extensible open-source multi-cluster Kubernetes user interface with a Fair health score of 54.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cncf.io
Credential handling
The FAQ says Headlamp relies on user credentials and RBAC, may store a token in browser local storage, and does not store that token in its backend server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Customization
Headlamp’s plugin system extends core functionality for specific use cases and workflows.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Deployment modes
It runs either inside a Kubernetes cluster for browser access or locally as a desktop application using kubeconfig.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Desktop packages
Desktop distributions are provided for Windows, Linux, and macOS; Linux offers Flatpak, AppImage, and tarballs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Desktop platforms
The project says it tests its desktop app on Windows, macOS, and Linux.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Documentation depth
The documentation has separate user, installation, platform, development, architecture, API, plugin, OIDC, testing, release, and learning sections.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Installation options
Official deployment paths include Helm, a Kubernetes YAML manifest, Minikube, Docker Desktop extension, and Glasskube.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Kubernetes platforms
The tested-platform list includes EKS, GKE, AKS, OpenShift, Minikube, K3s, Kind, OKE, LKE, Talos, K0s, VKS, NKP, Vultr, DigitalOcean, and Nutanix.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Limit: EKS experience
A Reddit commenter reported that Headlamp was poor to use with EKS clusters, without providing further technical detail.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: performance and web UX
Reddit comments described Headlamp as needing polish, feeling laggy during navigation, and having occasional web errors; another user found log inspection and terminal access unusable in web UIs generally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: plugin maturity
A Reddit commenter said the Flux plugin appeared early-stage and warned that users might need to contribute to keep it working with newer clusters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: RBAC setup burden
A Reddit user noted that Headlamp requires Kubernetes RBAC configuration directly, unlike tools that add their own permission abstraction layer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Logs and terminal
Core functionality includes container logs, exec sessions, and a resource editor with documentation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Map view
Headlamp provides a visual map of relationships among Kubernetes resources.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kubernetes.io
MCP extensibility
The desktop AI Assistant can spawn configured Model Context Protocol servers, discover their tools, and expose them in Kubernetes chat workflows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Multi-cluster
Headlamp can monitor and switch among multiple Kubernetes clusters.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
News: Kueue plugin
A Headlamp blog post dated October 12, 2026 describes a Kueue plugin that traces pending Jobs through Workload, LocalQueue, ClusterQueue, ResourceFlavor, and Cohort objects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Permissions
Headlamp adapts its controls to Kubernetes RBAC permissions, so users only see actions their role allows.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Plugin caution
The plugin guide warns that plugins run in the same JavaScript context as the main application and advises installing only trusted plugins.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Plugin extensibility
Plugins can add sidebar and detail components, dashboards, external-tool integrations, business workflows, themes, and custom resource actions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Plugin publishing
The documentation directs developers to publish plugins through Artifact Hub and provides architecture, tutorial, build, shipping, and API references.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Praise: ease for less experienced users
A Reddit user reported that visually oriented colleagues could find crashed pods and inspect logs more easily than with kubectl, reducing routine support work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: Flux and multi-cluster use
A Reddit commenter called Headlamp particularly useful with FluxCD for a single view of cluster resources and GitOps status, including work across hundreds of edge nodes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: interface and plugins
Another Reddit commenter described the UI as better than OpenLens or Lens and highlighted Flux and AI plugins as useful additions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Project governance
Headlamp is an official Kubernetes sub-project in SIG UI and was accepted into the CNCF Sandbox on May 17, 2023.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Public API
Headlamp publishes API modules covering Kubernetes clients, resource endpoints, streaming, scaling, port forwarding, plugin libraries, Redux, and UI components.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Rating on G2
0.0 out of 5 from 0 reviews; the G2 page is for a different product, Headlamp Health, rather than the Kubernetes project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
RBAC controls
The interface hides actions such as delete, edit, or scale when the connected Kubernetes identity lacks the corresponding permissions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Release cadence
Headlamp aims to release a new feature version each month, with bug fix versions between feature releases as needed.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Resource operations
The project supports interactive read-write Kubernetes operations, including cancellable create, update, and delete actions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
System support
Tested desktop environments include Windows 10/11, macOS on ARM and x86, Ubuntu 20.04/22.04/22.10, Fedora, and Flatpak.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
TLS and ingress
The in-cluster guide documents ingress exposure, optional backend TLS termination, and port forwarding for local access.Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev
Token handling
Headlamp may store a user token in browser local storage, but says it never stores the token in its backend or server.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Web and desktop
Headlamp is available as a browser based web application and as a desktop application.Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
YAML workflow
The Kubernetes transition guide describes creating or changing resources mainly by applying YAML rather than filling dashboard forms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · kubernetes.io

Plans and prices

Headlamp Free 100% open source · Apache 2.0 · available at no charge Read 28 Sep 2026 · headlamp.dev
Open-source Headlamp Free No charge Apache 2.0 licensed · desktop or in-cluster deployment · Kubernetes access governed by RBAC Read 15 Oct 2026 · headlamp.dev

Every Headlamp plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Monitors multiple clusters in one interface.
  • Controls follow Kubernetes RBAC permissions.
  • Free under Apache License 2.0.
  • Available on web, Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Limits

  • Plugins share the main app’s JavaScript context.
  • Browser local storage may hold a user token.

Who it suits

Headlamp suits Kubernetes users who want a graphical way to manage multiple clusters, with controls aligned to their RBAC permissions. It is available as a browser app or a desktop application.

Verdict

Headlamp offers a free graphical route to cluster management, with desktop and browser options and plugin support. Review its token handling and plugin caution as part of your deployment choice.

Where Specifiction places it

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