k3d 5.9.0

A lightweight wrapper to run k3s (Rancher Lab’s minimal Kubernetes distribution) in docker.

  • By k3d
  • Open Source
  • Updated Jun 2, 2026
Download for Windows

About k3d

k3d is a lightweight wrapper to run k3s (Rancher Lab’s minimal Kubernetes distribution) in docker.
k3d makes it very easy to create single- and multi-node k3s clusters in docker, e.g. for local development on Kubernetes.

What's new in 5.9.0

What's Changed
- Fix docker registry auth example by @kravciak in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1557
- docs: show latest available k3s version by @AdrienHorgnies in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1567
- docs: add AdrienHorgnies as a contributor for doc by @allcontributors[bot] in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1568
- Use version sort for k3d version list output by @kravciak in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1554
- chore: make function comments match function names by @tiaoxizhan in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1562
- fix: files option for config on windows by @sofushn in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1582
- Update the hardcoded k3s version from 1.21 to 1.32 by @lfrancke in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1589
- chore(renovate): Add custom manager for k3s version tracking by @kobayashiyabako16g in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1590
- Skip DNS fix on Colima by @jtyr in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1595
- Build process change by @yakom in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1606
- feat(1406): introducing the option to match registry ports; by @yakom in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1607
- feat(https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/issues/1570): introducing the --port-delete flag; by @yakom in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1609
- Fix Go Module badge by @kravciak in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1616
- bug(https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/issues/1617) : a change in the implementation of feat(1406); by @yakom in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1618
- fix(registry): prevent --registry-use from triggering registry creation by @iwilltry42 in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1646
- fix(entrypoint): skip drain/uncordon on agent nodes by @dpritchett in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1648
- docs: update k3d-demo repo url by @isayme in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1655
- docs: fix md list issues by @isayme in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1657
- feat: cluster restart cmd, fix #984 by @isayme in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1660
- chore(deps): refresh deps + base images for v5.9.0 by @iwilltry42 in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1670
- chore(deps): update dependency pymdown-extensions to v10.21.3 [security] by @renovate[bot] in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1635
New Contributors
- @AdrienHorgnies made their first contribution in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1567
- @tiaoxizhan made their first contribution in https://github.com/k3d-io/k3d/pull/1562 …

Full release notes »

Technical details

Publisherk3d
Version5.9.0
Release date2026-06-02
LicenseMIT
Installer typeportable
Architecturex64
Package IDk3d.k3d

Install k3d from the command line

Install with Windows Package Manager
winget install --id=k3d.k3d -e
Update to the latest version
winget upgrade --id=k3d.k3d -e
Uninstall
winget uninstall --id=k3d.k3d -e

clusterdockerk3skubernetesrancher

k3d version history

  • 5.8.3
  • 5.8.2
  • 5.8.1
  • 5.8.0
  • 5.7.5
  • 5.7.4
  • 5.6.3
  • 5.6.0

Frequently asked questions

Is k3d free?

Yes. k3d is free and open-source software released under the MIT license.

What is the latest version of k3d?

The latest version is 5.9.0, released on Jun 2, 2026.

Is it safe to download k3d?

The download button links to the official installer published on github.com, the same file Windows Package Manager installs. You can verify the downloaded file by comparing its SHA-256 checksum with 49d0b9c796f5b8ba6f58a1dd5469e8b7b34bf9b6ce9078633eedb2789680a034.

Which Windows versions does k3d support?

k3d runs on Windows and is available for 64-bit (x64) systems.

How do I uninstall k3d?

Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps, find k3d and select Uninstall. From the command line, run winget uninstall --id=k3d.k3d -e.