macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install kubectxlocal Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install kubectxMacPorts ports tree · sysutils/kubectx/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install kubectx with Homebrew, apk, chocolatey, apt, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, scoop, winget, zypper
Tool that can switch between kubectl contexts easily and create aliases. Version 0.11.0 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add kubectxAlpine Linux edge package indexes · kubectx · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install kubectxDebian stable package indexes · kubectx · source: deb.debian.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#kubectxnixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ku/kubectx/package.nix · source: api.github.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S kubectxArch Linux sync databases · kubectx · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install kubectxopenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · kubectx · source: download.opensuse.org
Windows
Chocolateyverified · 92%
choco install kubectxChocolatey community package catalog · kubectx · source: community.chocolatey.org
Scoopverified · 92%
scoop install main/kubectxScoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/kubectx.json · source: api.github.com
Windows Package Managerverified · 92%
winget install --id ahmetb.kubectx -eWindows Package Manager source index · ahmetb.kubectx · source: cdn.winget.microsoft.com
overview
Package summary
Tool that can switch between kubectl contexts easily and create aliases
Project links
Commands and aliases
- kubectl-ctx
- kubectl-ns
- kubectx
- kubens
history
Project history and usage
kubectx is a small Kubernetes command-line companion that packages two everyday workflow shortcuts: switching kubeconfig contexts with kubectx and switching namespaces with kubens. It became a widely installed kubectl-adjacent utility because it solves a repetitive operator problem without introducing a larger cluster-management framework.
Project history
The public GitHub repository was created on March 30, 2017, and the v0.1 release was published on April 25, 2017. The original project was shell-oriented; later releases added a Go implementation while retaining the simple command names and shell-completion focused workflow.
The README describes the package as 'Power tools for kubectl' and positions kubectx for faster cluster/context changes and kubens for namespace changes. That pairing made the project fit naturally beside kubectl rather than replacing it.
Adoption history
kubectx spread through multiple packaging ecosystems because it is useful on every workstation that touches more than one Kubernetes cluster. The official README documents installation through Homebrew, MacPorts, apt, pacman, Chocolatey, Scoop, winget, and Krew, which reflects cross-platform adoption by both Kubernetes operators and developers.
Its inclusion as Krew plugins named ctx and ns gave it a Kubernetes-native installation path, while Homebrew and Linux distribution packages made it familiar to package-manager users outside the Kubernetes plugin index.
How it is used
kubectx reads the user's kubeconfig contexts and switches the active context, including a shortcut for returning to the previous context. kubens similarly updates the namespace on the active context. Optional fzf integration adds interactive selection for long cluster and namespace lists.
The tool is commonly paired with shell completions and prompt helpers such as kube-ps1 or oh-my-posh so operators can both switch context quickly and see the selected cluster or namespace before running kubectl commands.
Why package nerds care
kubectx is a package-nerd staple because it is tiny, scriptable, and heavily repackaged: one upstream repository feeds native OS package managers, Windows package managers, and Krew. It is also a good example of a CLI whose adoption comes from reducing command friction rather than adding a new control plane.
Timeline
- 2017-03-30: Public GitHub repository created
- 2017-04-25: v0.1 release published
- 2021-07-06: v0.9.4 release published after the project had become a common kubectl companion
- 2026-03-27: v0.11.0 release published
Related projects
- kubens is shipped from the same repository and handles namespace switching.
- Krew distributes kubectx and kubens as kubectl plugins named ctx and ns.
- fzf is an optional dependency for interactive context and namespace selection.
- kube-ps1 and oh-my-posh are prompt tools the README recommends for displaying Kubernetes context.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- narrow executable package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:no-higher-risk-signals
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Unix
~/.kube/config
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
kubectl-ctx | cli | global executable | |
kubectl-ns | cli | global executable | |
kubectx | cli | global executable | |
kubens | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version0.11.0
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv0.11.0
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:kubectx |
|---|---|
| Version | 0.11.0 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/kubectx |
| Homepage | https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx |
| Repository | https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx |
| Upstream docs | https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx#readme |
| License | Apache-2.0 |
| Source archive | https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx/archive/refs/tags/v0.11.0.tar.gz |
| Build dependencies | go |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | kubectx |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Head Version | HEAD |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source database matches
Other package-manager records
Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.
Debian apt95%
kubectx 0.9.5-2+b10
Fast way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo apt install kubectx- Section: devel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: kubectx
- 1 dependencies
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
Nix95%
kubectx
nix profile install nixpkgs#kubectx- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
Ubuntu apt95%
kubectx 0.9.5-1
Fast way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo apt install kubectx- Section: universe/devel
- Architecture: amd64
- 1 dependencies
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
apk95%
kubectx 0.11.0-r2
Faster way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl
sudo apk add kubectx- License: Apache-2.0
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: kubectx
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
apk95%
kubectx-bash-completion 0.11.0-r2
Bash completions for kubectx
sudo apk add kubectx-bash-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: kubectx
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
apk95%
kubectx-fish-completion 0.11.0-r2
Fish completions for kubectx
sudo apk add kubectx-fish-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: kubectx
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
apk95%
kubectx-zsh-completion 0.11.0-r2
Zsh completions for kubectx
sudo apk add kubectx-zsh-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: kubectx
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
pacman95%
kubectx 0.11.0-1
Utility to manage and switch between kubectl contexts and Kubernetes namespaces
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo pacman -S kubectx- License: Apache-2.0
- Architecture: x86_64
- 2 dependencies
- 2 provides
- 1 optional deps
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
zypper95%
kubectx 0.11.0-1.2
Faster way to switch between clusters and namespaces in kubectl
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo zypper install kubectx- License: Apache-2.0
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: kubectx
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
zypper95%
kubectx-bash-completion 0.11.0-1.2
Bash Completion for kubectx
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo zypper install kubectx-bash-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Category: System/Shells
- Architecture: noarch
- Source Package: kubectx
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
zypper95%
kubectx-fish-completion 0.11.0-1.2
Fish Completion for kubectx
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo zypper install kubectx-fish-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Category: System/Shells
- Architecture: noarch
- Source Package: kubectx
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
zypper95%
kubectx-zsh-completion 0.11.0-1.2
Zsh Completion for kubectx
https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx
sudo zypper install kubectx-zsh-completion- License: Apache-2.0
- Category: System/Shells
- Architecture: noarch
- Source Package: kubectx
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
MacPorts95%
kubectx
sudo port install kubectx- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
Chocolatey95%
kubectx
choco install kubectx- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
Scoop95%
main/kubectx
scoop install main/kubectx- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
winget95%
ahmetb.kubectx
winget install --id ahmetb.kubectx -e- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Kubectx
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment