FAQ

This page answers the practical questions that usually come up before adopting Krust: platform fit, cluster connectivity, privacy, licensing, and how it compares to Lens or k9s.

What platforms does Krust support?

macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, Apple Silicon and Intel.

How does Krust connect to my cluster?

Reads your existing ~/.kube/config (or KUBECONFIG env var when available to the app environment). No agents, no sidecars, and no cloud account requirement.

Why does Krust ask for VPN/System Extension permission?

Krust uses Apple Network Extension for local DNS and service routing (for example *.svc.cluster.local). It is not a traditional internet VPN. See Why VPN Access.

Does Krust collect telemetry?

No. Krust connects only to your Kubernetes API server. Zero analytics, zero tracking.

How does Krust compare to Lens?

Krust is optimized for low-latency macOS workflows, while Lens is stronger on cross-platform support and extension ecosystem. If your main pain is RAM, startup time, or account friction, start with Krust vs Lens.

How does Krust compare to k9s?

k9s is stronger for SSH-heavy terminal workflows. Krust is stronger for visual inspection, multi-cluster comparison, and integrated debugging flow. Use Krust vs k9s for the detailed tradeoff.

Do I need Helm CLI installed?

No. Krust reads Helm data directly from Kubernetes secrets.

Which AI providers are supported?

Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), Google (Gemini), Google Cloud (Vertex AI), and local Ollama. Bring your own API key.

Can I install Krust via Homebrew?

Yes. Krust is available through our Homebrew tap:

brew install vanchonlee/tap/krust

Updates are also handled via Homebrew: brew upgrade vanchonlee/tap/krust. Source: github.com/vanchonlee/homebrew-tap.

Is Krust open source?

The core application is proprietary. We may open-source specific components in the future.

Does Krust replace kubectl?

No. Krust is best used as an operational companion for inspection, logs, exec, YAML review, and multi-cluster workflows. kubectl remains the right tool for scripting, automation, and shell-native workflows.

Does Krust replace GitOps or CI/CD?

No. Krust helps with runtime inspection and controlled operational actions. It does not replace declarative delivery pipelines or Git-based change management.

How do I report bugs or request features?

GitHub Issues at github.com/vanchonlee/krust/issues.

What Kubernetes versions are supported?

Any cluster that exposes a standard Kubernetes API. Tested with K8s 1.25 through 1.31. Works with EKS, GKE, AKS, k3s, kind, minikube, and other distributions.