Freedom251 › Kubernetes Deployment Tools
Cyclops
What Cyclops is
Cyclops is a web interface for managing Kubernetes clusters that turns configuration into forms for deploying applications. Its dashboard summarizes cluster health, performance and resource use across pods, nodes, deployments and services. Users can create and update deployments, change replica counts, configure rolling updates and monitor progress. Teams can reuse parameterized YAML templates with versioning, import Helm configuration and draw templates from GitHub repositories, Helm chart repositories or OCI repositories. Cyclops helps catch configuration problems before production. It installs in a Kubernetes cluster; setup requires a cluster and kubectl, with installation documented through kubectl or Glasskube. By default, Cyclops manages resources across the cluster, but installation can limit access to one namespace. In single-namespace mode, non-namespaced resources such as nodes and persistent volumes are not visible, and operations on them can fail. A command-line tool can manage Cyclops resources, initialize Cyclops and start its UI. Cyclops is free and self-hosted, with Linux, macOS and web platforms listed.
Who it suits
Cyclops is for developers, system administrators, DevOps professionals, IT operations teams and business owners working with Kubernetes. It may suit teams seeking reusable deployment templates and a web interface for cluster resources.
What it does well
- Free, self-hosted software.
- Works with existing Helm charts.
- Templates can come from GitHub, Helm or OCI repositories.
- Can be configured to scope access to one namespace.
What to know first
- Installation requires a Kubernetes cluster and kubectl.
- Single-namespace mode hides nodes and persistent volumes.
- Operations on non-namespaced resources can fail in that mode.
Limits
In single-namespace mode, nodes and persistent volumes are not visible, and operations on non-namespaced resources can fail.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Open Source Software | Free now and forever · Works with existing Helm charts · self-hosted | Free |
As cyclops-ui.com lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Cyclops website.
- Prepare a Kubernetes cluster and kubectl.
- Install Cyclops using kubectl or Glasskube.
- Choose whether the installation should manage cluster resources or be scoped to one namespace.
- Use the UI or cyctl to initialize and manage Cyclops resources.
Verdict
Cyclops offers a free interface for Kubernetes deployments, with reusable templates and Helm support. Account for the cluster and kubectl requirements, and the resource limits of single-namespace mode.
Questions
Is Cyclops free?
Yes. Its Open Source Software plan is free, billed Free now and forever.
Where does Cyclops run?
Cyclops installs into a Kubernetes cluster and is self-hosted. Linux, macOS and web are listed platforms.
Does Cyclops support Helm?
Yes. It supports existing Helm charts, imports Helm configuration and can render a new-module form from Helm templates.
Can Cyclops use private template repositories?
Yes. TemplateAuthRules can authenticate to private repositories by referencing Kubernetes secrets; the rules do not store the secrets directly.
Can access be limited to one namespace?
Yes. The installation can be configured for one namespace. In that mode, non-namespaced resources are not visible and related operations can fail.
Facts from Cyclops's own pages
- Access scope
- By default, Cyclops manages resources across the cluster, but its installation can be configured to scope access to one namespace. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The cyctl command-line tool can create, delete, describe and retrieve Cyclops resources, initialize Cyclops and start its UI. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Cluster dashboard
- Its dashboard provides an overview of cluster health, performance and resource use, including pods, nodes, deployments and services. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Configuration validation
- The homepage says Cyclops helps catch misconfiguration before it reaches production. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Deployment controls
- Users can create, manage and update deployments, adjust replica counts, configure rolling updates and monitor deployment progress. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Helm integration
- Cyclops supports importing Helm configuration and renders its new-module form from Helm templates. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Cyclops installs into a Kubernetes cluster; the maker documents installation using kubectl or Glasskube and requires a cluster and kubectl. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Namespace limit
- In single-namespace mode, non-namespaced resources such as nodes and persistent volumes are not visible, and operations on non-namespaced resources can fail. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Private templates
- Cyclops can authenticate to private template repositories using TemplateAuthRules that reference Kubernetes secrets; the rules do not store secrets directly. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Support and onboarding
- The maker offers professional support and lists workflow integration, custom-template creation and developer-team onboarding as onboarding topics. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Cyclops supports parameterized YAML templates with versioning so teams can reuse configurations and track changes. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Template sources
- Templates can be stored in GitHub repositories, Helm chart repositories or OCI repositories. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Cyclops is a web-based interface for managing Kubernetes clusters that turns configuration into forms for deploying applications. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Who it is for
- The maker describes it for developers, system administrators, DevOps professionals, IT operations teams and business owners working with Kubernetes. · cyclops-ui.com, 2 Oct 2026
Where Cyclops stands on Freedom251
- Kubernetes Deployment Tools#6 of 28