Headlamp is a simple and extensible web interface (UI) for Kubernetes designed for viewing, analyzing, and managing cluster resources. The project is developed within Kubernetes SIG UI and is fully compatible with any Kubernetes distribution.
The tool is suitable for DevOps engineers, cluster administrators, and developers who need a convenient visual interface for infrastructure management, access to logs, resources, events, and debugging tools.
What is Headlamp
Headlamp is a UI layer over the Kubernetes API that allows you to:
- view resources of all types (Pods, Deployments, Services, Nodes, etc.);
- perform operations such as creating, editing, and deleting resources;
- analyze pod logs and metrics;
- work with multiple clusters through a unified dashboard;
- extend functionality using plugins.
The interface is built with React and Material-UI, connects directly to the Kubernetes API, supports RBAC, and displays only actions available to the user.
How Headlamp is used in practice
Headlamp covers several common DevOps tasks:
- Visual cluster debugging. Convenient viewing of pod states, events, logs, and containers.
- Managing multiple clusters. Switching kubeconfig contexts directly through the interface.
- Working with CRDs. Support for custom resources and the ability to extend the UI for them.
- Audit and monitoring. Observing resource changes in real time.
- Simplifying work for beginner DevOps engineers and developers. The UI reduces the entry barrier and enables safe work within RBAC constraints.
How to get started with Headlamp
Headlamp can be launched in two ways:
- As a local desktop application
- As a web panel inside a Kubernetes cluster
Both options use kubeconfig.
Method 1: Installing Headlamp locally
Suitable for working with both remote and local clusters.
First, download Headlamp.
Current builds for Linux, Windows, and macOS:
Now launch it.
The application will automatically suggest choosing a kubeconfig or will load it from ~/.kube/config.
After selecting a context, the main UI window will appear.
Method 2: Installing Headlamp in Kubernetes (in-cluster)
Suitable for permanent team access via a web browser.
Option A: installation via Helm
--namespace headlamp
--create-namespace
Now you need to forward the port:
Open in a browser:
Option B: installation from YAML
After installation, run the same port-forward:
Why Headlamp is useful
Benefits for DevOps engineers:
Fast issue diagnostics
Logs, events, and resource states — all in one place.
RBAC compatibility
The user sees only the actions they are allowed to perform, reducing the risk of errors.
Multi-cluster support
Convenient for organizations with multiple environments: dev/stage/prod.
CRD support
Useful for operators and custom Kubernetes solutions.
Extensibility via plugins
You can add custom dashboards, metrics, integrations (for example, with Karpenter or monitoring systems).
Clean and fast interface
A lightweight alternative to heavier dashboards.
Limitations of Headlamp
Despite its convenience, the tool has some limitations:
Does not fully replace kubectl.
Bulk operations, automation, and CI/CD still belong to the CLI.
Plugins require development.
Specialized CRDs may require custom plugin support.
No built-in Prometheus/Grafana-level monitoring.
Only visualization of current Kubernetes resources.
RBAC may require fine-tuning.
A user without sufficient permissions will see an incomplete interface.
No native audit log for UI actions.
All actions pass through the Kubernetes API, but the UI itself does not log them.
Conclusion
Headlamp is a convenient, modern, and extensible interface for managing Kubernetes clusters. It simplifies infrastructure debugging, helps analyze resource states, and is suitable for both beginner and experienced DevOps specialists.
The tool is especially useful when working with multiple clusters, custom resources, or teams that need a secure UI with RBAC considerations.
FAQ
- Can Headlamp be used offline?
Yes. The application works locally, and in-cluster installation is fully autonomous. - Does it support custom resources (CRDs)?
Yes. CRDs are displayed automatically. If needed, you can create a plugin for extended UI support. - Can Headlamp connect to multiple clusters?
Yes. The local version uses kubeconfig, which may contain any number of contexts. - Are there Kubernetes distribution limitations?
No. It works with all compatible clusters (kubeadm, K3s, RKE, GKE, EKS, AKS, etc.). - Is it safe to give developers access?
Headlamp fully respects Kubernetes RBAC — users only see permitted actions. - Can Headlamp be installed via Docker?
Yes, there is an image:docker run -p 4466:4466 ghcr.io/headlamp-k8s/headlamp - Does Headlamp support plugins?
Yes, this is one of its key features. Plugins can be written in TypeScript/React.