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Tilt
tilt.dev
What it is
Tilt is a free, open-source development environment for teams building microservice applications that deploy to Kubernetes. It watches files, builds container images and updates the development environment when code changes. Its live_update feature deploys changes to running containers in seconds, including compiled-language code or dependency changes. Tilt can start the application and automate rebuilds, with logs, broken builds and runtime errors in its feedback loop. Its UI collects service logs and shows the development environment's state.
Teams configure services and workflows with Tiltfiles using Kubernetes YAML and Docker images; documentation also describes integrating Bazel builds. Tilt has an extension system for sharing Tiltfile functionality, such as team scripts and custom buttons, and provides editor support for VS Code, selected JetBrains IDEs and other editors through an embedded language server. It runs on macOS, Linux and Windows. The standard setup requires Docker, kubectl and a local Kubernetes cluster, though workflows can also use options such as Helm, Podman or local processes. Tilt is maintained as open source by Docker, Inc. under the Apache-2.0 license and costs nothing.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Tilt powers microservice development by automating file watching, container image builds, and bringing development environments up to date.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Platforms
- Tilt is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Integrations
- Tilt works with Docker and Kubernetes, and its docs describe integrating Bazel builds through a Tiltfile.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Support
- The project directs questions to the #tilt channel in Kubernetes Slack or to GitHub issues.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Founded
- 2018Read 28 Sep 2026 · tilt.dev
- Build and run options
- Tilt can support development workflows without Docker or Kubernetes, including Helm, Podman, and local processes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Configuration
- Teams configure development environments with a Tiltfile, including local tasks, image builds, and containerized servers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Editor support
- Tilt provides Tiltfile support for VS Code and select JetBrains IDEs, and embeds a language server for other editors.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Extensions
- Tilt has an extension system for sharing Tiltfile functionality, including team-specific scripts and custom buttons.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Interface
- The Tilt UI aggregates service logs and gives an overview of development environment state.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Live updates
- Tilt Live Update can sync changed files into running containers and supports different languages and frameworks.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Maintainer
- Tilt is maintained by Docker, Inc.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tilt.dev
- Maintenance
- Tilt was acquired by Docker in May 2022, and its FAQ says the project is maintained as open source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Orchestration
- Tilt starts the whole app and runs automated rebuilds, with logs, broken builds, and runtime errors in its feedback loop.Read 4 Oct 2026 · tilt.dev
- Prerequisites
- The installation guide lists Docker, kubectl, and a local Kubernetes cluster as additional requirements for its standard setup.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Pricing
- Tilt is free and open-source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Security bounty
- The project says it does not currently offer a paid security bounty program.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security reporting
- The maintainers ask that security issues be reported privately to [email protected] rather than filed as public issues.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Supported operating systems
- Tilt is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows; installation also requires Docker, kubectl, and a local Kubernetes cluster.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Supported teams
- Tilt focuses on teams developing microservice applications, where services such as databases, frontends, and web apps communicate.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Telemetry
- Tilt prompts users to opt in or out of anonymized usage analytics, and users can change their choice with the CLI.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Telemetry data
- The telemetry page says Tilt does not want to collect data about users or their projects, but notes that hashed strings may still contain project snippets.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Usage data
- Tilt says it sends anonymized usage data to help improve the product.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
- Workflow
- Tilt watches files, builds container images, and updates the development environment when code changes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.tilt.dev
Plans and prices
Tilt Free Open source · Apache-2.0 license Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Updates running containers when code changes.
- Aggregates service logs and environment state.
- Supports Docker and Kubernetes workflows.
- Available on macOS, Linux and Windows.
- Free under the Apache-2.0 license.
Limits
- Standard setup requires Docker, kubectl and a local Kubernetes cluster.
- Anonymized usage data is sent to help improve the product.
- No paid security bounty program is offered.
Who it suits
Tilt suits teams developing microservices that communicate with services such as databases, frontends and web apps. It is especially relevant when a team wants automated rebuilds and feedback in a local development environment.
Verdict
Tilt focuses on shortening the feedback loop for microservice development, with live updates, rebuilds and a consolidated UI. The standard Kubernetes setup has specific prerequisites, though other workflow options are also described.
Where Specifiction places it
- Container Development Environments#15 of 408.1
- Container Build Tools#13 of 348.0
