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Docker Compose to Kubernetes Converter
Paste a docker-compose.yml and get Kubernetes manifests: a Deployment and Service per service, ConfigMaps for environment variables, a Secret for passwords, PersistentVolumeClaims for volumes and probes from healthchecks. Notes explain every setting that needs your attention.
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Kubernetes manifests
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How to use the Docker Compose to Kubernetes Converter
- Paste your docker-compose.yml or open the file. A sample with a web server, API, database and cache loads first.
- Choose the options: namespace, Service type, how environment variables and bind mounts are handled, and the PVC size.
- Read the notes under the output. They flag things Compose does that Kubernetes does differently, such as depends_on or images built locally.
- Filter by kind to check Deployments, Services or PVCs one by one, then copy or download the YAML or a ZIP.
- Apply it with
kubectl apply -f k8s.yamland check the pods withkubectl get pods.
How Compose keys map to Kubernetes
| docker-compose.yml | Kubernetes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| service | Deployment + Service | Labels app.kubernetes.io/name connect them |
image, command, entrypoint | image, args, command | Kubernetes command replaces the image ENTRYPOINT |
ports: "8080:80", expose | Service port / targetPort | Host ports only apply to NodePort (30000-32767) |
environment | ConfigMap + envFrom | Sensitive names go to a Secret |
env_file | kubectl create configmap --from-env-file | The file is not available in the browser |
| named volume | PersistentVolumeClaim | ReadWriteOnce by default |
| bind-mounted file | ConfigMap with subPath | Fill it from the real file |
healthcheck | livenessProbe, readinessProbe | interval → periodSeconds, retries → failureThreshold, start_period → initialDelaySeconds |
deploy.replicas | spec.replicas | deploy.mode: global → DaemonSet |
deploy.resources, mem_limit, cpus | resources.limits / requests | 512M → 512Mi, 0.5 CPU → 500m |
user, cap_add, privileged, read_only | securityContext | runAsUser needs a numeric UID |
depends_on, networks, container_name | (none) | Use probes, NetworkPolicies and Service names |
After converting: a short checklist
- Images: every Deployment must point at an image in a registry the cluster can pull from, ideally with a fixed tag.
- Secrets: replace placeholder passwords, and keep real Secret values out of Git (use Sealed Secrets, SOPS or an external secrets operator).
- Storage: check the PVC sizes and storage class. Databases usually belong in a StatefulSet once you outgrow a single replica.
- Traffic: add an Ingress or Gateway for HTTP services that should be public, instead of exposing every port as a LoadBalancer.
- Resources: set CPU and memory requests for every container so the scheduler can place pods sensibly.
- Validate the result with the Kubernetes YAML Validator and store passwords with the Kubernetes Secret Generator.
Frequently asked questions
Can Kubernetes run a docker-compose.yml directly?
No. Kubernetes uses its own resource types, so a compose file has to be translated: each service becomes a Deployment that runs the pods and, if it has ports, a Service that gives it a stable name and address. This tool does that translation in your browser, similar to the kompose command-line tool.
How do services find each other after the conversion?
Each Service keeps the compose service name, and Kubernetes DNS resolves that name inside the namespace, so an app that connects to db:5432 keeps working. From another namespace use db.namespace.svc.cluster.local. Names with underscores or capitals are renamed because Kubernetes names must be lowercase DNS labels.
What happens to depends_on?
Kubernetes has no start order between Deployments; all pods start at once. Make each app retry its connections, rely on readiness probes so traffic only reaches pods that are ready, or add an init container that waits for the dependency.
How are volumes converted?
Named volumes become PersistentVolumeClaims mounted at the same path, and Deployments that use one get the Recreate strategy so the old pod releases the volume first. A bind-mounted single file, such as nginx.conf, becomes a ConfigMap mounted with subPath. Bind-mounted folders become a PVC, emptyDir or hostPath depending on the option you choose.
Why is my published port a ClusterIP Service?
A ClusterIP Service is reachable only inside the cluster, which is the safe default. To reach it from outside, pick NodePort or LoadBalancer in the options, add an Ingress for HTTP traffic, or use kubectl port-forward while testing.
What about images built with build:?
Kubernetes nodes pull images from a registry; they cannot build from a Dockerfile in your project. Build the image, push it to a registry the cluster can reach, and put that image name in the Deployment. The tool marks these services with a red note.
Is my compose file uploaded?
No. The YAML is parsed and converted with JavaScript in your browser tab, so passwords and internal hostnames in the file never leave your computer.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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