Connect Kubernetes to Claude Code
Give Claude Code governed access to Kubernetes through Runlayer, with identity, policy, scanning, and audit on every call.
Set up
Add Kubernetes to Claude Code in four steps
Admins approve the server once. Everyone in Claude Code then gets it through the same governed connection.
- 1
Approve Kubernetes in Runlayer
Add Kubernetes from the catalog and choose who can use it and which of its tools are allowed.
- 2
Connect Claude Code to Runlayer
Install the Runlayer CLI so Claude Code can reach Kubernetes, which runs on the user’s machine. Auto Sync can then write Kubernetes into Claude Code on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Claude Code setup guide - 3
Sign in to Kubernetes
Sign in the way Kubernetes requires. Runlayer holds the credentials so they stay out of the client’s configuration.
- 4
Use Kubernetes from Claude Code
Kubernetes’s approved tools appear in Claude Code. Every call is checked against policy and recorded.
Tools
Kubernetes tools in Claude Code
Kubernetes reports its tools when your organization connects it, so the list depends on your deployment.
Control
What Runlayer can see and stop in Claude Code
Some controls apply to every client at the gateway. Others depend on what Claude Code exposes to Runlayer.
Gateway policy (available)
Every Kubernetes call from Claude Code passes through Runlayer, where your policies can allow, alert, mask, or block it.
Audit trail (available)
Each call is recorded with the user, Claude Code as the client, the tool, and the policy and scanner decisions.
Client hooks (available)
Capture supported prompts, reasoning, local and MCP tool calls, responses, and scanner decisions in real time.
Anthropic inference hooks (available)
With Claude Enterprise, Anthropic sends each governed Claude Code prompt to Runlayer before inference, with nothing installed on devices (Anthropic beta).
OTLP telemetry (available)
Claude Code can export OpenTelemetry logs to Runlayer for observe-only session reconstruction.
Stop a call before it runs (available)
Runlayer can deny a tool call before Claude Code runs it.
Block output after it runs (available)
Runlayer can block a tool’s output before Claude Code’s model sees it.
Redact output in place (available)
Runlayer can mask sensitive parts of a tool’s output in Claude Code and pass the rest through.
In Claude Code
- When a tool fails, Runlayer records the error but cannot hide it.
Frequently asked questions
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