Installing Minikube

Learn to install and start Minikube.

Installing Minikube

Minikube is a single executable. You also need kubectl to talk to the cluster (Minikube also offers its own compatible version with minikube kubectl --):

# Linux (x86-64)
curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/minikube/releases/latest/minikube-linux-amd64
sudo install minikube-linux-amd64 /usr/local/bin/minikube
# macOS
brew install minikube
# Windows
winget install Kubernetes.minikube

For the Docker driver, it's enough that Docker is installed and running.

Version compatibility

kubectl must be at most one minor version ahead of or behind the cluster's version. kubectl version shows both together; a specific Kubernetes version can be requested from Minikube:

$ kubectl version
Client Version: v1.31.1
Server Version: v1.31.2
$ minikube start --kubernetes-version=v1.30.5

Exercise Verify the installation

Write three commands: show the Minikube version (minikube version); start a cluster with Kubernetes v1.31.2 and the Docker driver; show the kubectl client and server versions.

Show example solution

minikube version
minikube start --driver=docker --kubernetes-version=v1.31.2
kubectl version

Test yourself

How can you send commands to a Minikube cluster without kubectl installed?
- minikube kubectl -- get pods
- minikube get pods
- docker get pods
- It isn't possible
Show answer

minikube kubectl -- get pods — Arguments after -- are passed to kubectl.

Start with a specific Kubernetes version.

minikube start ____=v1.30.5

Show answer

minikube start --kubernetes-version=v1.30.5

Match.

brew install minikube

macOS installation
winget

Windows installation
kubectl version

Client and server version
± one minor version

kubectl compatibility

Next lesson: minikube start

We Are Enhancing Your Experience

Cookie Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Analytical Cookies