ctlptl
ctlptl is a free command-line tool for configuring local Kubernetes clusters declaratively with YAML.
What ctlptl is
ctlptl is a free command-line tool for configuring local Kubernetes clusters declaratively with YAML. Its commands can show running clusters, create clusters, apply configuration, and delete clusters along with their state. It supports Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D; local registry support is listed for KIND, Minikube, and K3D. Cluster setup can include CPU allocation and local registry configuration, and Minikube supports per-cluster Kubernetes version selection. ctlptl can also create a cluster on a remote Docker host, a capability described for CI environments. Installation options include Homebrew for Mac and Linux, Scoop for Windows, Go install, Docker, and prebuilt binaries; a Docker image with recent kind and ctlptl versions is offered for CI. The project supports macOS, Linux, and Windows and is licensed under Apache License 2.0. Its README describes it as a work in progress and excludes remote clusters and remote development sandboxes from its intended scope. Usage analytics are anonymized, with an opt-out command available.
Good
- Free under Apache License 2.0
- Supports Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D
- Can configure CPUs and local registries
- Offers installation options across macOS, Linux, and Windows
Watch out
- Command-line interface; no graphical interface
- Not intended for remote clusters or development sandboxes
- README describes the project as a work in progress
- Sends anonymized usage statistics by default
Who it suits
It is aimed at infrastructure engineers who want consistent local Kubernetes development environments and common cluster setup operations. It is not intended for remote clusters or remote development sandboxes.
Verdict
ctlptl covers common local-cluster tasks across several cluster tools and operating systems. Its work-in-progress status and local-development scope are important considerations.
Plans and prices
From ctlptl's own pricing page, checked 2 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| ctlptl | Free | Apache-2.0 licensed · no paid plans or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from ctlptl's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- CI installation
- The installation appendix offers a Docker image containing recent versions of kind and ctlptl for CI environments.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Cluster commands
- Its main commands get running clusters, create clusters, apply cluster configuration, and delete clusters and their state.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Development status
- The README calls ctlptl a work in progress and welcomes contributions from the Kubernetes community.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project aims to help infrastructure engineers manage a consistent development environment and support common local cluster setup operations.checked 2 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository states that ctlptl is licensed under Apache License 2.0.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Remote Docker
- It can create a cluster on a remote Docker host, which the README describes as useful in CI environments such as CircleCI.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Resource configuration
- ctlptl can allocate CPUs and configure local registries alongside clusters.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Scope limitation
- The README says ctlptl is not intended to set up remote clusters or remote development sandboxes.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub's security page says the repository has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Supported cluster tools
- The README lists Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D, including registry support for KIND, Minikube, and K3D.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Usage analytics
- ctlptl sends anonymized usage statistics, and users can opt out with `ctlptl analytics opt out`.checked 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- ctlptl is a command-line tool for declaratively setting up local Kubernetes clusters using YAML.checked 2 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Installation platforms
- The project documents installation through Homebrew for Mac and Linux, Scoop for Windows, Go install, Docker, and prebuilt release binaries.checked 2 Oct 2026
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