Install OpenLens Kubernetes IDE

1. Websites

GitHub

2. Installation

Run these commands

mkdir /opt/openlens

cd /opt/openlens

wget https://github.com/MuhammedKalkan/OpenLens/releases/download/v6.5.2-366/OpenLens-6.5.2-366.amd64.deb

sudo apt install ./OpenLens-6.5.2-366.amd64.deb

which openlens

# Launching OpenLens
openlens

3.Add a Kubernetes Cluster

Option 1: Auto-Detect from ~/.kube/config

  • OpenLens automatically loads any cluster contexts found in ~/.kube/config.
  • You’ll see them listed in the left sidebar under “Catalog” or “Clusters”.

Option 2: Manually Add a Cluster

  1. Click + Add Cluster
  2. Choose Browse or paste a kubeconfig
  3. Name the cluster (optional)
  4. Click Add Cluster

✅ You can connect to any k3s, minikube, AKS, EKS, GKE, etc., as long as you have a working kubeconfig.

4. Basic Usage Overview

Feature Description
Cluster Dashboard View CPU/memory usage, node health, namespaces, etc.
Workloads Manage Pods, Deployments, StatefulSets, Jobs
Networking View and manage Services, Ingresses, and Network Policies
Storage View PVs, PVCs, and StorageClasses
Config Manage ConfigMaps, Secrets, and Custom Resources
Terminal Use built-in terminal with kubectl access
YAML Editor View and edit live resource manifests

5. Settings & Extensions

  • Click the gear icon ⚙️ (bottom-left) to customize:

    • Theme, terminal shell, proxy settings

  • Extensions (via GitHub): Can add custom tools, but OpenLens doesn’t include the commercial Lens plugin marketplace.