---
title: "Freelens for Kubernetes | Hostman Docs"
description: "Get started with Freelens, the open-source alternative to Lens. Follow step-by-step installation instructions for macOS, Linux, and Windows, and learn how to connect and manage Kubernetes clusters with kubeconfig."
---

> For the complete documentation index for AI agents, see [llms.txt](https://hostman.com/llms.txt).

Freelens is a fork of the popular Kubernetes cluster management tool, [Lens](https://hostman.com/docs/kubernetes/connect-to-clusters/lens/). Unlike the original Lens, Freelens is fully open-source, does not require registration or connection to cloud services, and contains no proprietary components.

## Installation

#### MacOS

To install Freelens on macOS using Homebrew:

```shell
brew install --cask freelens
```

#### Linux

On Linux, installation is available via Snap:

```shell
snap install freelens --classic
```

#### Windows

On Windows, use Winget:

```shell
winget install Freelensapp.Freelens
```

## Connecting to a Cluster

Freelens uses the standard `kubeconfig` for connecting to clusters. You can store configuration files in the default system directory `~/.kube`, or in any other convenient location.

Download the configuration file from the cluster’s **Dashboard**.

![E5e10f35 2347 4d3b 8720 7c6d92ad85f3](https://content.hostman.com/assets/cafc88e0-066d-42ce-b5f7-632a26b02962.png?width=1562&height=869)

### Using the Default Folder

If you place the downloaded `kubeconfig` in the `~/.kube` directory, Freelens will automatically detect the cluster. 

Go to **Catalog** → **Clusters**, and the cluster will appear in the list.

You can also access it using the **Browse Clusters in Catalog** button on the start screen.

### Custom Configuration Folder

If you want to use a separate directory:

1.  Create a folder, for example `~/k8s_config`, and move the downloaded `kubeconfig` file into it.
2.  In Freelens, open the **Clusters** section and click the **+** button in the lower right corner.
3.  Specify the path to the file or to a folder containing one or more `kubeconfig` files.
4.  After adding it, click the cluster name in the list to connect.