A command line tool for communicating with a Kubernetes cluster's control plane, using the Kubernetes API
Publisher’s description
What is Kubernetes CLI?
Kubernetes CLI by The Kubernetes Authors is open-source Windows software in the containers & devops category. It is written in Go.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides Portable installers for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit Windows. It runs without installation (portable).
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.37.1, released on September 23, 2026. The version history goes back to August 18, 2022: 45 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 11 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (kubernetes/kubectl) has 3,362 stars. Similar programs include Helm, k9s and Docker Desktop.
Project description on GitHub: “Issue tracker and mirror of kubectl code”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Portable: runs without installation
- Frequent updates (about 11 a year)
In short: Kubernetes CLI is an open-source containers & devop tool for 64-bit, ARM64 and 32-bit PCs. It is actively maintained.
Is Kubernetes CLI safe to download?
- The file is served by dl.k8s.io; check that it is the publisher’s official mirror
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
14B93C4916A6F37A06FBC1F46B0A1D2404C4F9741BE09F00D6CAF8AF3B05F1D3· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the kubernetes/kubectl repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Security policy10
- Code review0
- Static code analysis0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Fuzzing0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 45 versions ›45 versions over 4 years · about 11 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.37.1Latest | September 23, 2026 | — | 64-bit PortableARM64 Portable32-bit Portable |
| 1.37.0 | August 26, 2026 | — | 64-bit Portable32-bit PortableARM64 Portable |
| 1.36.4 | August 20, 2026 | — | 64-bit Portable32-bit PortableARM64 Portable |
| 1.36.3 | July 23, 2026 | — | 64-bit PortableARM64 Portable32-bit Portable |
| 1.36.2 | June 12, 2026 | — | 64-bit PortableARM64 Portable32-bit Portable |
| 1.36.1 | May 12, 2026 | — | ARM64 Portable32-bit Portable64-bit Portable |
| 1.36.0 | April 22, 2026 | — | 64-bit PortableARM64 Portable32-bit Portable |
| 1.35.4 | April 16, 2026 | — | 64-bit Portable32-bit PortableARM64 Portable |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Kubernetes.kubectl -escoop install main/kubectlProgram files (.exe): kubectl.exe
Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install kubernetes-cliInformation
- Publisher
- The Kubernetes Authors
- Category
- Containers & DevOps
- Licence
- Apache-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/kubernetes/kubectl
- Written in
- Go
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit
- Installer
- Portable
- Version
- 1.37.1
- Released
- September 23, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- August 18, 2022
- Versions listed
- 45
- Updates / year
- 11
- GitHub stars
- 3,362
- GitHub forks
- 1,019
- Website
- kubernetes.io
- winget ID
- Kubernetes.kubectl
- Scoop package
- main/kubectl
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kubernetes CLI free?
Yes. Kubernetes CLI is open-source software under the Apache-2.0 licence.
Is Kubernetes CLI safe to download?
The download comes from dl.k8s.io; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Kubernetes CLI with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Does Kubernetes CLI run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Kubernetes CLI?
The versions page lists all 45 versions with links to their official installer files, back to August 18, 2022.
Can I use Kubernetes CLI without administrator rights?
Yes, it is portable: unpack and run it.
What are alternatives to Kubernetes CLI?
Helm, k9s, Docker Desktop, k3d and Pulumi. The alternatives page compares them.
