Question 1

How to set up kftray with a local Kubernetes cluster like minikube?

Accepted Answer

Install kftray from the downloads page, ensure your kubeconfig points to the cluster (e.g., minikube), and deploy the kftray-server proxy relay using provided manifests—it automatically integrates with standard contexts. The README includes examples for common setups like kind or minikube in the configuration section.

Question 2

kftray vs kubectl port-forward: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Use kftray for reliable, multi-forward management with auto-reconnection and UDP support, especially in development environments with frequent pod restarts. Stick with kubectl port-forward for quick, one-off TCP forwards where simplicity outweighs features, as kftray adds configuration and cluster-side deployment overhead.

Question 3

How to expose my local development server to the internet using kftray?

Accepted Answer

Configure an 'expose' workload type in JSON with exposure_type set to 'public', enable domain and cert_manager for TLS, and specify ingress details—kftray handles the reverse tunnel through your cluster. This mirrors ngrok functionality but leverages Kubernetes ingress controllers for routing.

Question 4

Can kftray handle UDP traffic for services like DNS or gaming servers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, kftray supports UDP forwarding via its proxy relay pod deployed in your cluster, configured with protocol set to 'udp' in the JSON. This is useful for real-time applications, though it requires the relay pod to be running and may add slight latency compared to direct TCP forwards.

Question 5

What security measures should I take when enabling HTTP inspection in kftray?

Accepted Answer

Only enable http_logs_enabled for debugging in non-production environments, sanitize logs to remove sensitive data like tokens, and use opt-in features cautiously—the README warns that logs can expose information and recommends access controls. Consider disabling it after debugging to minimize risks.

Question 6

How do I share port-forward configurations with my team using GitHub?

Accepted Answer

Store JSON config files in a GitHub repository (public or private), then point kftray to the repo URL in its settings—it syncs and applies configurations automatically. This allows version control and collaboration, similar to infrastructure-as-code practices for port-forwarding setups.

Question 7

Why is my kftray not reconnecting after a pod restart?

Accepted Answer

Check that the kftray-server relay pod is healthy and has permissions to watch pods, verify your kubeconfig context is correct, and ensure the workload_type (e.g., service or pod) is properly configured—the tool uses Kubernetes watch APIs, so network or RBAC issues can break monitoring.

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