Kdebug MCP Server

TUI for Kubernetes Debug Containers

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Kdebug MCP server?

Most developer tooling work still happens through a UI a human drives. Kdebug MCP server moves it into the conversation instead. TUI for Kubernetes Debug Containers.

The short version

kdebug is a helper utility for launching ephemeral Kubernetes debug containers and backing up files. It provides interactive shell access, backup workflows, and a TUI for pod selection.

  • 🐚 Interactive Shell Access - Launch bash/sh sessions in debug containers directly to the directory of your choice
  • 💾 Backup Capabilities - Copy files/directories from pods with optional compression and configurable local paths
  • 🔍 Multiple Selection Modes - Direct pod, controller-based, or interactive TUI
  • 🎯 Smart Container Selection - Auto-select containers or choose specific targets
  • 📦 Backup Size Estimates - Understand how much data you backing up
  • ⚙️ Config File - Set defaults for debug image, shell command, and backup paths

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 3 tools. What each one is for:

  • Homebrew — The Homebrew tool exposed by this server
  • Bash — The Bash tool exposed by this server
  • Fish — The Fish tool exposed by this server

Getting it running

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at kdebug on PyPI and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

What it needs from you

  • Python 3.9+ - rich is installed automatically with the Python package - kubectl configured with cluster access - Kubernetes cluster with ephemeral containers support (v1.23+)

How it compares

Among the developer tooling options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Kdebug's toolset — Homebrew, Bash, Fish — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by Jesse Goodier; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Kdebug's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Things to watch

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
HomebrewThe Homebrew tool exposed by this server.
BashThe Bash tool exposed by this server.
FishThe Fish tool exposed by this server.

How to install the Kdebug MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kdebug": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["kdebug"]
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

  • Python 3.9+ - rich is installed automatically with the Python package - kubectl configured with cluster access - Kubernetes cluster with ephemeral containers support (v1.23+)

Example prompts to try

  • Use Kdebug to Homebrew.
  • Use Kdebug to Bash.
  • Use Kdebug to Fish.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Kdebug to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 3 tools (Homebrew, Bash, Fish) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Kdebug directly.