Krew is a command-line extension manager and cross-platform plugin installer designed specifically for the kubectl ecosystem. It functions as a package manager that allows users to discover, install, and update community-driven extensions to add new capabilities to the Kubernetes command line interface.
The project utilizes a manifest-based distribution system where YAML files map binaries to specific operating systems and architectures. This ensures secure deployment through the use of checksums for integrity verification and enables the hosting of both public and private plugin registries.
Its operational surface covers the entire plugin lifecycle, including repository searching, version updates, and the removal of extensions. It also provides tools for plugin developers to define distribution manifests, test installations across target platforms, and automate release cycles via Git-backed registries.
Users can manage their environment by exporting and restoring installed plugin sets or by relocating the application storage path using environment variables.
