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Introduction to Kuve

Welcome to Kuve - the Kubernetes Client Switcher that makes managing multiple kubectl versions effortless!

What is Kuve?​

Kuve is a command-line tool that allows you to install, manage, and seamlessly switch between multiple kubectl versions on your system. Whether you're working with different Kubernetes clusters or testing across versions, Kuve simplifies version management.

Key Features​

📦 Version Management​

  • Install specific kubectl versions from official Kubernetes releases
  • Switch instantly between installed versions
  • List available and installed versions
  • Uninstall versions you no longer need

📄 Project-Specific Versions​

Use .kubernetes-version files to specify kubectl versions per project:

kuve init v1.28.0  # Creates .kubernetes-version file
kuve use           # Switches to version in file

🔍 Cluster Auto-Detection​

Automatically detect and use the kubectl version matching your Kubernetes cluster:

kuve use --from-cluster

🚀 Smart Installation​

Automatically installs missing versions when switching:

kuve switch v1.29.0  # Installs if not present

Why Kuve?​

Simple & Safe​

  • No root access required after initial setup
  • Cannot uninstall active versions
  • Clear error messages
  • Non-destructive operations

Fast & Lightweight​

  • Instant switching using symbolic links
  • Single binary with no dependencies
  • Minimal disk space usage

Flexible​

  • Works with multiple Kubernetes distributions (GKE, EKS, AKS, K3s, etc.)
  • Supports version files for project consistency
  • Shell completion for enhanced productivity

Quick Example​

# Install a kubectl version
kuve install v1.29.0

# Switch to it
kuve switch v1.29.0

# Verify
kubectl version --client

Platform Support​

  • Operating Systems: Linux, macOS
  • Architectures: amd64, arm64
  • Shells: Bash, Zsh, Fish, PowerShell

Next Steps​

Ready to get started? Check out these guides:

Open Source​

Kuve is open source and welcomes contributions! Visit our GitHub repository to:

  • Report issues
  • Suggest features
  • Contribute code
  • Join discussions

Getting Help​