MCP Server Kubernetes for Cursor: Setup & Config

What you can do with MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor

An existing-context Kubernetes bridge spanning diagnostics, resource changes, Helm, and tracing.

• Install or upgrade Helm releases with custom values.
• Trace assistant-driven cluster operations through an OTLP backend.

Before you start: MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor

• Node.js and npx
• kubectl on PATH
• A valid kubeconfig with cluster access
• Helm v3 on PATH for Helm operations

Loads the standard kubeconfig and current kubectl context by default. Set ALLOW_ONLY_NON_DESTRUCTIVE_TOOLS to true to disable designated destructive operations; this still permits creation and updates. Telemetry is optional and off by default.

MCP Server Kubernetes Cursor configuration

1. Choose Cursor configuration scope

   For MCP Server Kubernetes, open Project: .cursor/mcp.json User: ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Merge into mcpServers at project or user scope.

2. Add MCP Server Kubernetes to Cursor

   Use the mcp-server-kubernetes entry below in mcpServers. Keep MCP Server Kubernetes's documented stdio connection fields and your other Cursor entries.

3. Check MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor

   MCP Server Kubernetes: Enable in Cursor’s MCP settings; inspect tools.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-server-kubernetes": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-server-kubernetes"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

MCP Server Kubernetes tools available to Cursor

MCP Server Kubernetes's stored tool list documents 26 tools; compare it with Cursor's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

cleanup

Find cleanup under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_get

Find kubectl_get under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_describe

Find kubectl_describe under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_apply

Find kubectl_apply under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_delete

Find kubectl_delete under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_create

Find kubectl_create under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_logs

Find kubectl_logs under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_scale

Find kubectl_scale under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_patch

Find kubectl_patch under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_rollout

Find kubectl_rollout under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_context

Find kubectl_context under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

kubectl_reconnect

Find kubectl_reconnect under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

explain_resource

Find explain_resource under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

install_helm_chart

Find install_helm_chart under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Install a Helm chart using standard or template-based methods.

upgrade_helm_chart

Find upgrade_helm_chart under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Update an existing Helm release.

uninstall_helm_chart

Find uninstall_helm_chart under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Remove a Helm release.

node_management

Find node_management under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Cordon, drain, or uncordon cluster nodes.

port_forward

Find port_forward under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Expose a resource port through a local forwarded port.

stop_port_forward

Find stop_port_forward under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Terminate an active port-forwarding process.

exec_in_pod

Find exec_in_pod under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Run an executable and argument array in a container without shell interpretation.

list_api_resources

Find list_api_resources under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Enumerate resource APIs supported by the cluster.

kubectl_generic

Find kubectl_generic under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Run a kubectl command using supplied arguments and flags.

ping

Find ping under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Check whether the connection remains responsive.

cleanup_pods

Find cleanup_pods under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Clean up pods in documented problematic or completed states.

helm_template_apply

Find helm_template_apply under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Use template-based Helm installation to work around authentication issues.

helm_template_uninstall

Find helm_template_uninstall under MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor's MCP settings; inspect its arguments when the agent requests a call.

Use template-based Helm removal to work around authentication issues.

MCP Server Kubernetes: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting MCP Server Kubernetes in Cursor

• Cursor must find npx mcp-server-kubernetes (Node.js/npm) for MCP Server Kubernetes. Enable the project/user entry in MCP settings and inspect its tools.
• MCP Server Kubernetes uses stdio here: Cursor must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Requires working cluster credentials and local kubectl.
• Known limitation: Non-destructive mode still allows resource changes.
• Known limitation: Secret masking does not cover log output.
• General Cursor troubleshooting lives in the /clients/cursor guide.

Frequently asked questions