Karpenter plugin: Autoscaling Insights and Management

[illume]

This issue is for an LXF mentorship project. A paid 12 week program. See https://mentorship.lfx.linuxfoundation.org/project/5ca70394-f568-4bbf-a88d-4e5af8b235cf There you can learn more and apply if interested. Please do not start this issue, as it is reserved for that project.

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Karpenter is a dynamic Kubernetes node autoscaler that provisions compute resources in response to real-time workload demands. While Karpenter is powerful, it lacks a native UI for visualizing its autoscaling behavior and managing its custom resources. This plugin will integrate Karpenter-specific insights into Headlamp, leveraging Headlamp’s existing CRD support to provide a focused, user-friendly interface for understanding and managing Karpenter’s decisions.

Expected Outcome:

A Headlamp plugin that provides:

• Visualization of Karpenter Provisioners, NodePools, and NodeClasses, including their constraints and current status.
• Real-time display of scaling decisions, such as which pods triggered provisioning and why.
• A dashboard for pending pods with unmet scheduling requirements, highlighting why they couldn’t be scheduled.
• Integration with Kubernetes events and Karpenter metrics (via Prometheus, if available) to show provisioning latency, node lifecycle events, and cost efficiency.
• A configuration editor for Karpenter CRDs using Headlamp’s existing CRD facilities, with validation and diffing support.

Additional info

• Karpenter was requested: https://kubernetes.slack.com/archives/C01FXB5E8ER/p1731505844846419 Also in that thread is an example of how a NodePool list could work.
• See existing plugins like the Flux headlamp plugin as examples.

[mansiJamwal]

Hi @illume ,

I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to this project. I have experience building scalable full-stack applications using React and TypeScript, and I'm eager to learn more about Kubernetes and Karpenter as part of this contribution.

I've already forked the repository and successfully built the frontend. I am learning how to build the plugin and understanding the project requirements as well. Looking forward to contributing!

[yugalkaushik]

Hi @illume,

I'm really excited to be part of this project! I'm Yugal Kaushik, and I have some experience building full-stack apps with React, Next, JavaScript and TypeScript. I'm also keen to learn more about Kubernetes and Karpenter along the way. I’ve already forked the repo, got the frontend up and running, and have started working on a few issues. Looking forward to contributing more and learning from the community!

[nuelkaiser]

Hi @illume,

I'm Immanuel. I have an interest in this project and would love to be a part of it. my skills or expertise include using tools and technologies such as React, Nextjs, and Typescript to build full-stack applications. I am also eager to learn more on Kubernetes and Karpenter as my contribution to this project.

Are there any channels for easy communication with mentors and also any recent frontend related issues to be worked on?

Looking forward to contributing to this project.

[Rahulkumar003]

Hi @illume,

I'm thrilled about the opportunity and would love to contribute to this project. With experience in building scalable full-stack applications using React and TypeScript, I'm confident in my ability to add value. I'm also keen to deepen my understanding of Kubernetes and Karpenter through this contribution.

I've already forked the repository and have started exploring how to build the plugin while familiarizing myself with the project requirements. Excited to be part of the community and looking forward to contributing meaningfully!

[illume]

Hello @mansiJamwal

I've already forked the repository and successfully built the frontend. I am learning how to build the plugin and understanding the project requirements as well. Looking forward to contributing!

Nicely done. welcome!

Hi @yugalkaushik

I'm really excited to be part of this project!

Welcome!

Hello @nuelkaiser

Are there any channels for easy communication with mentors and also any recent frontend related issues to be worked on?

• In Github we have some "good first issue" labeled. Also "frontend" issues are about frontend.
• See the development guide to get started
• We have a headlamp channel on the kubernetes slack: https://kubernetes.slack.com/messages/headlamp
• Not as popular as the slack channel is the github discussions: https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/headlamp/discussions

For plugins (like this project):

• See the plugin issues: https://github.com/headlamp-k8s/plugins/issues
• To create a new plugin, see here: https://headlamp.dev/docs/latest/development/plugins/building
• See the code for existing plugins https://github.com/headlamp-k8s/plugins
• Read the functionality page to see what sort of things you can do with plugins. https://headlamp.dev/docs/latest/development/plugins/functionality/
• Also see plugins/examples in headlamp repo. https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/headlamp/tree/main/plugins/examples

Hello @Rahulkumar003

I've already forked the repository and have started exploring how to build the plugin while familiarizing myself with the project requirements.

Nicely done. Welcome!

[RONAK-AI647]

hi, This is Ronak , I am a software enthusiast and developer , I found this issue really interesting , Its one year of mine doing open source contributions after my tech job and I really love it , Talking about this issue , i would request if i could know the prioritizing factor for me to work in this issue , and also if a good proposal + few open source contribution will be considered ( as i am new to headlamp). @illume or only the proposal matters,