K9s Kubernetes Terminal Dashboard

---
name: "K9s Kubernetes Terminal Dashboard"
slug: "k9s-kubernetes-terminal-dashboard"
description: "K9s is a terminal-based UI for managing Kubernetes clusters, providing real-time observation of resources, log tailing, pod shell access, and cluster navigation. Written in Go, it replaces many kubectl commands with an interactive interface."
github_stars: 33240
verification: "security_reviewed"
source: "https://github.com/derailed/k9s"
category: "Developer Tools"
framework: "Claude Code"
tool_ecosystem:
  github_repo: "derailed/k9s"
  github_stars: 33240
---

# K9s Kubernetes Terminal Dashboard

K9s is a terminal-based UI for managing Kubernetes clusters, providing real-time observation of resources, log tailing, pod shell access, and cluster navigation. Written in Go, it replaces many kubectl commands with an interactive interface.

## Installation

Use the upstream install or setup path that matches your environment:
- make build && ./execs/k9s

Requirements and caveats from upstream:
- [![Docker Pulls](https://img.shields.io/docker/pulls/derailed/k9s.svg?maxAge=604800)](https://hub.docker.com/r/derailed/k9s/)
- | Cordon/Uncordon node | u | Node view |
- | Drain node | r | Node view |

Basic usage or getting-started notes:
- Build and run the executable
- # To run K9s in a given namespace
- | Benchmark (run/stop) | b | Services/Port-forwards |

- Source: https://github.com/derailed/k9s
- Extracted from upstream docs: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/derailed/k9s/HEAD/README.md

## Source

- [Agent Skill Exchange](https://agentskillexchange.com/skills/k9s-kubernetes-terminal-dashboard/)