Kube9
Kube9 is a set of tools for developers and platform engineers who work in Kubernetes every day. Start with the VS Code extension. Add the operator if you want health checks running in the background. Try the desktop app if you'd like an IDE that only does Kubernetes, and does it well.
Everything works without the operator. Install it and you get scheduled Well-Architected checks plus richer views in your editor. The open-source operator keeps its findings in the cluster and doesn't phone home to Alto9 by default.
Your cluster, inside your editor
Browse every cluster in your kubeconfig, edit resources, tail logs, and manage Argo CD apps without leaving VS Code.
Health checks that run on their own
An open-source operator that runs Well-Architected Framework checks on a schedule and reports what it finds to the tools you already use.
An IDE built just for Kubernetes
A cross-platform desktop app with cluster management, Helm, Argo CD, a built-in terminal, and a Pro tier with AI that knows your cluster history.
Full documentation lives at https://alto9.github.io/kube9/
Routine cluster work stays in your environment. Here's what that means in practice.
The VS Code extension reads your kubeconfig locally. Credentials and API payloads aren't uploaded anywhere for everyday cluster work.
Assessments, events, and status all live inside your Kubernetes cluster. The open-source Helm chart doesn't need an Alto9 account or any cloud registration.
If you run Argo CD, the VS Code extension can sync, refresh, show drift, and draw the resource graph for each application.
Kube9 Desktop Pro adds AI and portal features on a paid tier. None of that changes how the open-source operator behaves. It stays self-contained.
Install the VS Code extension, add the operator with Helm, or start with the docs. The open-source parts are on GitHub.