Kubernetes MCP Server
Native Go MCP server for Kubernetes and OpenShift from the containers/ org. Talks directly to the Kubernetes API server, supports Helm and Tekton, ships with OpenTelemetry observability built in. Distributed as a single native binary plus npm and PyPI packages.
“The Red Hat-adjacent containers/ org delivers the most capable Kubernetes MCP in the ecosystem. A native Go binary that talks directly to the Kubernetes API server, supports OpenShift, Helm, and Tekton, and ships with OpenTelemetry observability built in. Operators already running OpenShift or hardened Kubernetes get the deepest tool surface here. The server avoids kubectl shell-out entirely, runs as a single binary across Linux, macOS, and Windows, and offers multi-cluster operation from one process. The 1,500+ stars and weekly release cadence (61 releases shipped, 82 commits in the last 30 days) confirm active maintenance under Marc Nuri's stewardship. The architectural choice operators care about: this is a Go API server client, so it skips shelling out to kubectl entirely. That removes a class of failure modes around plugin quirks and PATH issues. For OpenShift shops, the Projects, Routes, and other OpenShift CRDs are first-class citizens.”
INSTALL THIS SERVER
{
"mcpServers": {
"kubernetes": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"kubernetes-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
{
"mcpServers": {
"kubernetes": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"kubernetes-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
{
"mcpServers": {
"kubernetes": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"kubernetes-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
{
"mcpServers": {
"kubernetes": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"kubernetes-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
{
"mcpServers": {
"kubernetes": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"kubernetes-mcp-server@latest"
]
}
}
}
6 TOOLS AVAILABLE
OUR ASSESSMENT
- Native Go API server client; skips shelling out to kubectl entirely.
- OpenShift-aware: supports Projects, Routes, and other OpenShift CRDs as first-class resources.
- Helm install, list, and uninstall built in.
- Tekton Pipelines and Tasks supported (PipelineRun, TaskRun lifecycle).
- OpenTelemetry distributed tracing and `/stats` endpoint for real-time statistics.
- Distributed as native binary, npm package, PyPI package, and OCI image.
- 82 commits in the last 30 days signals active development under maintainer Marc Nuri.
- Pre-1.0 release stream (v0.0.61); the 0.x cadence ships rapidly with tight version increments.
- Multi-cluster behaviour depends on careful kubeconfig context hygiene.
ServiceAccount-based read-only access is documented. Operators should bind the server to a dedicated low-privilege ServiceAccount in production. The `--config` and `--config-dir` flags allow drop-in TOML configuration for least-privilege deployments. For multi-cluster setups, scope each kubeconfig context to the minimum required RBAC role.
Teams operating OpenShift clusters, mixed Kubernetes/OpenShift environments, or production setups requiring OpenTelemetry observability.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
ADOPTION METRICS
// Reading this1,502 stars and 327 forks place this as the highest-traction Kubernetes MCP. Weekly release cadence (61 releases shipped) confirms sustained maintenance.
// Reading thisFirst-ranked in infrastructure category. The Go API client architecture and OpenShift coverage are the differentiators against kubectl-wrapper alternatives.
SOURCES & VERIFICATION
We don't take any single directory's word for it. Before scoring, we cross-reference 5 public MCP sources, install the server ourselves against the clients we cover, and record when we last re-verified.
The same server, 5 different lenses. We reconcile these signals into our editorial score, which is why our number sometimes diverges from a directory-aggregate star count.
| Source | Their rating | Their star count | Their downloads | Last synced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AutomationSwitch This page | 4.5editorial | 1,502 | — | APR 29, 2026 |
| PulseMCP | — unrated | unavailable | unavailable | APR 29, 2026 |
| MCP.so | — unrated | unavailable | unavailable | APR 29, 2026 |
| Glama | — unrated | unavailable | unavailable | APR 29, 2026 |
| Smithery | — unrated | unavailable | unavailable | APR 29, 2026 |
| Official MCP Registry | — unrated | unavailable | unavailable | APR 29, 2026 |
// Counts are directory-reported; we don't adjust them. Discrepancies usually come from different snapshot times or star-caching.
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE MCP SERVERS
Sentry MCP Server
Sentry's official MCP service. Runs as remote infrastructure at mcp.sentry.dev and ships a Claude Code plugin that auto-delegates Sentry questions. Designed for human-in-the-loop coding agents working through Sentry errors, traces, and performance data.
mcp-server-kubernetes (Flux159)
Community-favourite TypeScript Kubernetes MCP. Uses local kubectl plus Helm v3, distributed via npm, and ships as an mcpb extension for one-click Claude Desktop install. Mature 3.x release stream with consistent monthly cadence.
GKE MCP Server
Google Kubernetes Engine MCP server in the GoogleCloudPlatform org. Adds GKE-specific tools (cluster management, upgrade risk reports, log queries) plus Gemini CLI extension support. Maintainers explicitly state this is for education and experimentation and is NOT FOR PRODUCTION USE.
DISCUSS YOUR
MCP REQUIREMENTS.
Evaluating a server, scoping an internal deployment, or working out whether MCP is the right fit at all. Start the conversation and we will point you at the right piece of the ecosystem.