KubeClipper
kubeclipper.io
What it is
KubeClipper is a free, open-source service for managing Kubernetes clusters on an organization’s own infrastructure. Its web interface, APIs, and kcctl command-line tool support cluster deployment and lifecycle operations across cloud, hypervisor, and bare-metal environments. Users can create, delete, upgrade, back up, restore, and scale clusters, and register clusters built elsewhere. Deployment can be online, offline, or through a proxy; a graphical wizard helps set up clusters and required plugins. Node tools include automatic registration, information collection, and a terminal. Access controls include role-based and custom permissions, with OIDC login for external users. Backups cover etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, using filesystem or S3 storage such as NFS or MinIO; files produced by resources and files on persistent volumes are outside that backup scope. The project lists x86/64 and arm64 support and extensible management of CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components. Worker-node addition and removal are the currently supported node changes.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- KubeClipper is a lightweight web service for Kubernetes cluster lifecycle management, with a web console, APIs, and a CLI tool.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Intended users
- The overview describes KubeClipper as a tool intended to help operations engineers manage multiple Kubernetes clusters across regions and infrastructure.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Access control
- The platform includes four initial roles and supports custom roles with configurable permissions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Architecture support
- The feature page lists x86/64 and arm64 support.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Availability
- The maker’s Chinese homepage labels the download as free.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Backup limit
- Cluster backups cover etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, but not files or data generated by resources or files under persistent volumes.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- CLI
- The kcctl command-line tool can deploy and manage KubeClipper clusters and perform most page operations.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Cluster backups
- Cluster backup covers etcd data and Kubernetes resource objects, and the guide describes using NFS or MinIO for backup storage.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Cluster import
- It can register and manage externally created clusters.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Cluster setup
- A wizard-style graphical interface helps users deploy clusters and required plugins.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Component management
- The documentation describes extensible management for CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Component support
- The overview says KubeClipper provides scalable management services for CRI, CNI, CSI, and CRD components.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Container registry
- Docker and Containerd use Docker Hub by default, and the guide explains configuring private registries, including self-signed HTTPS or HTTP registries.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Deployment environments
- It can deploy Kubernetes clusters on cloud, hypervisor, and bare-metal infrastructure.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Deployment modes
- KubeClipper supports online, proxy, and offline deployment methods.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Deployment targets
- It can deploy Kubernetes clusters on cloud, hypervisors, or bare metal.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- External identity
- External users can log in through OIDC, with OAuth2 login described in the access-control guide.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Getting started
- The documented All-in-One setup recommends a host with at least 2 CPU cores and 2 GB RAM and lists CentOS 7.x, Ubuntu 18.04, or Ubuntu 20.04.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- High availability
- The HA deployment guide recommends at least three server nodes for availability and etcd quorum.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Lifecycle features
- Cluster operations include creation, deletion, backup, restoration, upgrades, scaling, and node management.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Lifecycle management
- Its listed lifecycle capabilities include installation, deletion, upgrades, backup and restoration, scaling, and remote access.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Node tools
- Node management includes automatic registration, information collection, and a node terminal.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Notable limitation
- The cluster-management guide says the current version supports adding and removing worker nodes only.Read 7 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Roadmap integrations
- The roadmap lists load balancing and ingress, monitoring, Kubernetes Dashboard, and KubeEdge under common application and plugin integrations.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
- Standards
- The project README says KubeClipper is a CNCF Sandbox project and has passed CNCF Kubernetes Conformance Certification.Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Storage integrations
- Backup storage can use filesystem or S3 storage, with examples covering node-local storage, NFS, and MinIO.Read 5 Oct 2026 · kubeclipper.io
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source
- Supports cloud, hypervisor, and bare metal
- Offers web, API, and CLI controls
- Can register externally created clusters
- Supports OIDC and custom roles
Limits
- Backups exclude persistent-volume files
- Backups exclude files generated by resources
- Worker-node changes are limited to adding and removing
Who it suits
KubeClipper suits teams managing Kubernetes in their own infrastructure across cloud, hypervisor, or bare-metal environments. It is especially relevant for teams that need multi-cluster lifecycle operations and can work within its backup and worker-node limits.
Verdict
KubeClipper covers cluster deployment and lifecycle management through a GUI, APIs, and CLI. Before adopting it, account for the backup scope and the current restriction on worker-node changes.
Where Specifiction places it
- Kubernetes Management Platforms#14 of 297.7