Open CLI

k9s

containers / infra
$ brew install derailed/k9s/k9s
Summary

Kubernetes navigation, logs, and pod inspection from the terminal.

  • k9s fits infra well, especially for kubernetes navigation, logs, and pod inspection from the terminal.
  • 13,965 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Verify with `k9s --version` first.
  • Best treated as a human-first terminal tool.
  • Output is mostly text-first, so verify results before scripting around it.
infra-k9s-SKILL.md

K9s guide

Kubernetes navigation, logs, and pod inspection from the terminal. Built by Derailed.

Open CLI packages the install path, verify step, and safe-start workflow so this tool can move from “interesting CLI” to something you can actually use. It also integrates with skills.sh so each CLI comes with the right companion skills, not just a binary and a docs link.

When to apply

  • kubernetes navigation, logs, and pod inspection from the terminal.
  • You work with containers and infrastructure and want a fast terminal interface.
  • You need kubernetes navigation.
  • You need logs.
  • You need pod inspection.

Quick reference

Installbrew install derailed/k9s/k9s
Verifyk9s --version
First real commandk9s

Open CLI × skills.sh

Open CLI integrates k9s with the right skills.sh companions so you get the tool and the workflow together.

Deployment Automation

Recommended pairing

Open CLI recommends this skills.sh skill because it fits containers / infra workflows. Safer deployment routines with approvals, checks, and repeatable steps.

View on skills.sh
$ npx skills add https://github.com/supercent-io/skills-template --skill deployment-automation
Starter prompt

Use k9s together with the Deployment Automation skills.sh skill. Inspect the current project, verify prerequisites, and suggest the safest next deployment step before changing anything.

Also useful from skills.sh
Monitoring & Observabilityskills.shDocker Expertskills.sh

Why this tool

  • k9s fits infra well, especially for kubernetes navigation, logs, and pod inspection from the terminal.
  • 13,965 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Verify with `k9s --version` first.

Watch-outs

  • Needs network access.
  • Automation can be brittle.
  • Output is mostly plain text.

Example workflow

1. k9s

Safe start

Step 1

Install k9s.

Step 2

Run `k9s --version` first.

Step 3

Start with `k9s`.

Step 4

Install the infra CLI and verify kubeconfig, Docker context, or cloud credentials.

Alternatives worth considering

nomad

Scheduling, jobs, and clusters from the terminal.

lazydocker

Docker TUI, container management, and logs from the terminal.

dive

Image layers, docker optimization, and container inspection from the terminal.