devspace

Automate Kubernetes development workflows

TLDR

Initialize a new DevSpace project in the current directory

$ devspace init

Start development mode with port forwarding, file synchronization, and terminal access

$ devspace dev

Start development mode in a specific namespace

$ devspace dev [[-n|--namespace]] [namespace]

Deploy the project to Kubernetes

$ devspace deploy

Deploy the project with a specific profile

$ devspace deploy [[-p|--profile]] [profile-name]

Build all defined images

$ devspace build

Follow logs from a pod

$ devspace logs [[-f|--follow]]

Open the DevSpace UI in the browser

$ devspace ui

SYNOPSIS

devspace <command> [<args>] [<global-flags>]

--config, -c
    Path to devspace config file

--debug
    Enable debug logging

--kube-context
    Kubernetes context name

--kube-namespace, -n
    Kubernetes namespace

--no-colors
    Disable colored output

--no-warn
    Suppress warnings

--profile, -p
    DevSpace profile to use

--silent, -s
    Silent mode, no output

--var
    Set config variables (repeatable)

--verbose, -v
    Verbose logging (repeatable)

DESCRIPTION

DevSpace is an open-source CLI tool that streamlines Kubernetes development workflows. It automates building, deploying, and hot-reloading applications directly into Kubernetes clusters, eliminating manual Docker image management and kubectl boilerplate.

Core workflow starts with devspace init to generate a devspace.yaml config file. The flagship devspace dev command launches development mode: it syncs local files to pods in real-time, rebuilds images on changes, restarts deployments, and provides port-forwarding plus logs/terminal access.

Supports multi-environment profiles, Helm integration, image registries, and enterprise features like terminal sharing. Ideal for local dev loops, CI/CD, and team collaboration. Reduces context-switching, speeds iterations, and makes Kubernetes beginner-friendly.

Key benefits: zero-config hot reload, namespace isolation, selective syncing, and cross-platform (Linux/macOS/Windows). Integrates with IDEs via plugins.

CAVEATS

Requires Docker daemon or compatible builder and kubeconfig access. Not installed by default; needs manual setup. Config errors halt execution abruptly.

INSTALLATION

Via Homebrew: brew install devspace/helm/devspace
Or binaries from GitHub releases; supports Linux AMD64/ARM.

MAIN SUBCOMMANDS

dev: Start dev mode.
deploy: Deploy to cluster.
init: Scaffold config.
build: Build images.

HISTORY

Launched in 2018 by Fabian Meumertzheim as open-source tool from DevSpace.sh. Gained popularity for simplifying K8s dev. Acquired by Loft Labs in 2021; version 6+ focuses on stability, Helm v3, and enterprise scale. Actively maintained with 5k+ GitHub stars.