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Kubernetes MCP + Claude

k8s

Imagine managing the Kubernetes clusters using simple natural language commands instead of memorizing dozens of kubectl incantations. The Docker MCP (Model Context Protocol) Toolkit represents Docker's vision for a more integrated and accessible developer experience. It provides a comprehensive solution for managing Kubernetes through AI assistants with its Kubernetes MCP Server, which can be deployed in just 5 minutes.

Before we begin, make sure you have the following requirements in place: Docker Desktop installed and running (the latest version is recommended)

Step 1. Enable Kubernetes in Docker Desktop​

enable-k8s

Step 2. Setup a 3-node Kind cluster​

Select “Kind” to set up a 3-node Kind cluster on the Docker Desktop.

enable-mcp

Step 3. Enable Kubernetes MCP Server​

enable-mcp

Step 4. View the Kubernetes MCP Tools​

k8s-mcp-tools

Step 5. Configure the Claude Desktop​

enable-claude

Step 6. Configure MCP_DOCKER in Claude Desktop​

Open Claude Desktop and go to the "Settings" tab. You will see the following entry:

k8s-config

Step 7. Verify the Kubernetes Tools under Claude Desktop​

claude-config

Step 8. Start chatting with your Kubernetes MCP Server​

Prompt 1:​

"Create an Ngnix Pod in my Kubernetes cluster and list them in the tabular format"

k8s-pods

Available Kubernetes Management Tools​

The Kubernetes MCP server provides a comprehensive set of 40 tools for managing your Kubernetes resources. Here's a breakdown of the key tools available:

Cluster Management Tools​

  • get_current_context: Get the current Kubernetes context
  • list_contexts: List all available Kubernetes contexts
  • set_current_context: Set the current Kubernetes context
  • list_api_resources: List the API resources available in the cluster

Resource Creation Tools​

  • create_namespace: Create a new Kubernetes namespace
  • create_pod: Create a new Kubernetes pod
  • create_deployment: Create a new Kubernetes deployment
  • create_service: Create a new Kubernetes service
  • create_configmap: Create a new Kubernetes ConfigMap
  • create_cronjob: Create a new Kubernetes CronJob

Resource Management Tools​

  • list_namespaces: List all namespaces
  • list_pods: List pods in a namespace
  • list_deployments: List deployments in a namespace
  • list_services: List services in a namespace
  • list_nodes: List all nodes in the cluster
  • list_cronjobs: List CronJobs in a namespace
  • list_jobs: List Jobs in a namespace, optionally filtered by a CronJob parent

Detailed Information Tools​

  • describe_pod: Describe a Kubernetes pod (read details like status, containers, etc.)
  • describe_deployment: Get details about a Kubernetes deployment
  • describe_service: Describe a Kubernetes service (read details like status, ports, selectors, etc.)
  • describe_node: Describe a Kubernetes node (read details like status, capacity, conditions, etc.)
  • describe_cronjob: Get detailed information about a Kubernetes CronJob including recent job history
  • explain_resource: Get documentation for a Kubernetes resource or field
  • get_events: Get Kubernetes events from the cluster

Update and Scale Tools​

  • scale_deployment: Scale a Kubernetes deployment
  • update_deployment: Update an existing kubernetes deployment in cluster
  • update_service: Update an existing kubernetes service in cluster

Deletion Tools​

  • delete_pod: Delete a Kubernetes pod
  • delete_deployment: Delete a Kubernetes deployment
  • delete_service: Delete a Kubernetes service
  • delete_namespace: Delete a Kubernetes namespace
  • delete_cronjob: Delete a Kubernetes CronJob
  • cleanup: Cleanup all managed resources

Helm Chart Management​

  • install_helm_chart: Install a Helm chart
  • upgrade_helm_chart: Upgrade a Helm release
  • uninstall_helm_chart: Uninstall a Helm release

Debugging Tools​

  • get_logs: Get logs from pods, deployments, jobs, or resources matching a label selector
  • get_job_logs: Get logs from Pods created by a specific Job
  • port_forward: Forward a local port to a port on a Kubernetes resource
  • stop_port_forward: Stop a port-forward process