Native macOS Kubernetes dashboard.
A lighter Lens alternative. #
Krust is a fast native Kubernetes workspace for macOS. Its coming-soon iPhone and iPad companion covers health, metrics, logs, and guarded actions on the go—without a Krust account or cluster agent.
Latest release: v1.5.4. Or download the DMG directly from GitHub Releases.
// Private by default
Local cluster access. No account gate.
// Krust ecosystem
One core. Three native ways to work. #
Choose the interface that fits the moment.
Krust macOS
The full visual workspace for daily operations and incident response.
Krust iOS
Focused checks and guarded actions from iPhone or iPad. Explore iOS.
k9r terminal
Keyboard-first Kubernetes flow powered by the same Rust core. Open K9r.
// Mobile Kubernetes companion
Can you operate Kubernetes
from an iPhone? #
Yes. Krust for iPhone and iPad is a focused companion for checking workload health, metrics, events, and logs, with confirmed restart, scaling, resource, and optional diagnosis actions. Krust iOS 1.0 is free and coming soon to the App Store.
// Native core
Fast cluster state.
Rendered natively. #
Krust keeps Kubernetes state warm in Rust and renders macOS-native views for daily production work: logs, YAML, resources, topology, port-forwarding, and diagnostics.
~160MB
RAM for 1,700 pods
1,700+
Pods at 60fps
<1s
Cold start
26MB
App size on disk
0
Cluster agents
27
Resource types
// Prometheus
Connect Prometheus from Settings.
Inspect pod trends inline #
In Settings → Observability, select a Prometheus Service and run Check connection. Krust then shows pod CPU and memory trends through the Kubernetes API Service proxy, with Per-context profiles when clusters use different endpoints.
// The Electron tax
Electron GUIs are
heavy on your Mac #
Electron and web-based GUIs bundle browser runtimes that consume significant CPU and memory — especially noticeable during on-call when you need your machine most.
Krust is a single native macOS binary. Rust handles all Kubernetes API communication and data processing. Swift renders native AppKit/SwiftUI views. No web views, no JavaScript runtime, no garbage collector.
Side-by-side: Krust vs Lens with 1,027 pods
Log Streaming
Logs that keep up
with your services #
Most Kubernetes log viewers struggle with high-volume output or break down when you need to debug a whole workload instead of one pod.
Krust gives Free users a fast single-pod log workflow with filtering, regex, deep history search, inspector, bookmarks, export, JSON compact, and Cmd+F search. Pro is reserved for incident and hybrid workflows: multi-pod aggregation, cross-cluster diff, multiple DNS mappings, and persistent port-forward profiles.
Port Forward + Scoped DNS
Stable service URLs for port-forward workflows #
Traditional port-forwarding relies on random localhost ports, which breaks callbacks, local app configs, and team handoffs. Krust keeps Kubernetes service hostnames usable locally with scoped Packet Tunnel DNS and app-managed port-forward mappings.
Open names like api.default.svc.cluster.local from your Mac while public DNS stays on the normal macOS resolver path.
// Capabilities
Kubernetes management, built for real incident work #
The UI is there to shorten the path from deployment to pod to logs to fix. No waiting room between the screens you need.
Resources + Watchers
Browse 27 resource types with live Kubernetes watch updates and structured filters.
Logs
Search, filter, bookmark, export, and inspect high-volume pod logs.
YAML + Diff
Edit YAML and compare resources or workload revisions without leaving the app.
Terminal + Exec
Open native TTY sessions, local shells, and tabbed terminal workflows.
Networking
Run port forwards and keep Kubernetes service names usable from macOS.
Metrics
Read metrics-server values and optional Prometheus-backed pod charts.
Helm + Topology
Manage releases and follow visual relationships between cluster resources.
AI + Security
Use BYOK diagnostics and 31 built-in security checks with Trivy support. Explore AI diagnostics.
// Product comparison
Krust vs Lens vs k9s vs Electron/web GUIs #
Krust is for Mac-first engineers who want a visual Kubernetes workspace without paying the Electron tax or switching fully to a terminal UI.
Krust
Best for native macOS operations, low memory, visual incident workflows, logs, YAML, Helm, topology, and AI diagnostics.
Lens
Best when a team already standardized on a broad cross-platform Kubernetes desktop workflow. Compare Lens.
k9s
Best for terminal-first operators who want keyboard speed more than visual inspectors and native macOS UI. Compare k9s.
Electron/web GUIs
Best when cross-platform reach matters more than a small native macOS footprint.
| Krust | Lens | k9s | Electron/web GUIs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Rust + SwiftNative binary | ElectronBundled Chromium | GoTerminal TUI | Browser or WebViewCross-platform runtime |
| Memory | ~160 MB1,700 pods · 12 threads | ~1250 MB+ | ~750 MB1,700 pods · 23 threads | VariesRuntime overhead depends on implementation |
| GUI | Native macOS | Web-based | Terminal only | Web-based |
| Log viewer | 100K bufferFree single-pod workflow, Pro incident logs | BasicExtensions available | BasicNo JSON parsing | Commonly basic or plugin based |
| YAML editing | Editor + diffCross-cluster compare | Editor | $EDITOR | Usually editor only |
| Metrics | CPU + memorymetrics-server + Prometheus charts | Via extensions | Built-in | Often available |
| Local workflow | Kubeconfig directNo cloud account or cluster agent required | Account features | CLI-style local flow | Depends on product architecture |
| Price | FreePro from $9/mo · Proprietary | Free / $25/mo | Free (OSS) | Free, paid, or team plans |
// Quick setup
Install. Open. Done. #
If kubectl works, Krust works. No sign-up, no cloud account, no cluster agents. Free tier available by default.
Latest release: v1.5.4. Or download the DMG directly from GitHub Releases.
Install
Homebrew cask or DMG. Single .app bundle. Just 26 MB on disk.
Launch
Reads your existing ~/.kube/config. All contexts available instantly.
Go
Real-time watchers connect automatically. Start debugging in seconds.
// Pricing
Pricing for individual engineers #
Most engineers can stay on Free for daily Kubernetes work. Upgrade to Pro only when you need incident workflows and advanced hybrid networking.
See licensing details →
- ✓ 27 resource types + real-time watchers
- ✓ Single-pod logs, YAML editor, Helm ops
- ✓ Security audit + Trivy + AI diagnostics
Launch offer: LAUNCH50 for 50% off first year
Choose in Checkout- ✓ Multi-pod log aggregation
- ✓ Cross-cluster diff
- ✓ Multiple DNS mappings + saved port-forward profiles
Need monthly billing? $9/mo
- ✓ Same Pro gates as Yearly
- ✓ One-time payment
- ✓ No recurring bill
Operate Kubernetes from one native desktop app #
From alert to root cause with logs, terminal, YAML diff, and resource context in one workflow. Free tier, no sign-up, no cluster agent.