ctlptl

Summary

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.

Who it is for

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.

Compared on local Kubernetes tools

Free plan

Yesgithub.com

Supported operating systems

macOS, Linux, Windowsgithub.com

Graphical interface

Nogithub.com

Kubernetes version control

Per-cluster selection via --kubernetes-version or kubernetesVersion, documented for Minikubegithub.com

Local registry support

Yesgithub.com

Facts

What it does

ctlptl is a command-line tool for declaratively setting up local Kubernetes clusters using YAML.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Cluster commands

Its main commands get running clusters, create clusters, apply cluster configuration, and delete clusters and their state.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Supported cluster tools

The README lists Docker Desktop, KIND, Minikube, and K3D, including registry support for KIND, Minikube, and K3D.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Resource configuration

ctlptl can allocate CPUs and configure local registries alongside clusters.github.com · 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.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

CI installation

The installation appendix offers a Docker image containing recent versions of kind and ctlptl for CI environments.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Installation platforms

The project documents installation through Homebrew for Mac and Linux, Scoop for Windows, Go install, Docker, and prebuilt release binaries.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Development status

The README calls ctlptl a work in progress and welcomes contributions from the Kubernetes community.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Intended users

The project aims to help infrastructure engineers manage a consistent development environment and support common local cluster setup operations.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Scope limitation

The README says ctlptl is not intended to set up remote clusters or remote development sandboxes.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Usage analytics

ctlptl sends anonymized usage statistics, and users can opt out with `ctlptl analytics opt out`.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Security

GitHub's security page says the repository has no SECURITY.md policy and no published security advisories.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

License

The repository states that ctlptl is licensed under Apache License 2.0.github.com · 2 Oct 2026

Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi

• Best Local Kubernetes Tools in 2026#9 of 23

Sources

• github.com/tilt-dev/ctlptl· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/tilt-dev/ctlptl/blob/main/INSTALL.md· checked 2 Oct 2026
• github.com/tilt-dev/ctlptl/security· checked 2 Oct 2026