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title: Kubernetes Dashboard to Headlamp: A Step-by-Step Guide
description: A comprehensive step-by-step migration guide for moving from Kubernetes Dashboard to Headlamp. Covers key differences between the two tools (in-cluster vs...
canonical: https://daily.dev/posts/kubernetes-dashboard-to-headlamp-a-step-by-step-guide-ioreqtmgd
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# Kubernetes Dashboard to Headlamp: A Step-by-Step Guide

**[Kubernetes](https://daily.dev/sources/k8s)** · 18 min read · 0 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

A comprehensive step-by-step migration guide for moving from Kubernetes Dashboard to Headlamp. Covers key differences between the two tools (in-cluster vs desktop/multi-cluster model, token-based vs kubeconfig auth, forms vs YAML-based deployment), a pre-migration checklist, installation options for both desktop and in-cluster via Helm, authentication setup including OIDC, multi-cluster management, resource navigation including Map View, YAML-based deployments, debugging workflows (logs, exec, metrics, events), Dashboard removal and cleanup, and a post-migration verification checklist.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://kubernetes.io/blog/2026/07/13/kubernetes-dashboard-to-headlamp>

## Questions this post answers

### How do I migrate from Kubernetes Dashboard to Headlamp?

Install Headlamp on desktop (via WinGet, Homebrew, or Flatpak) or in-cluster via Helm, verify your kubeconfig works with kubectl, run Headlamp alongside Dashboard during a parallel rollout, confirm core workflows like logs, exec, and YAML deployment work, then uninstall Dashboard with helm uninstall kubernetes-dashboard and remove its service accounts and RBAC bindings.

_daily.dev surfaces migration guides like this one for teams planning a Kubernetes UI switch._

### What is the main difference between how Kubernetes Dashboard and Headlamp handle authentication?

Kubernetes Dashboard only runs in-cluster and always relies on service account bearer tokens for login, while Headlamp can run on the desktop using your existing kubeconfig and RBAC, or in-cluster using a ServiceAccount with optional OIDC single sign-on support, removing the need for pasted tokens on desktop.

_Developers comparing Kubernetes UI auth models can track guides like this on daily.dev._

### Does Headlamp support deploying applications the same way Kubernetes Dashboard did with forms?

No, Headlamp does not include a form-based deployment wizard like Kubernetes Dashboard; instead it applies YAML manifests directly through the UI, aligning with how most teams already deploy via Git, CI/CD, Helm, or GitOps. Users can still generate a YAML template quickly with kubectl create deployment --dry-run=client -o yaml and paste it in.

_daily.dev helps developers track UI and workflow changes when adopting Headlamp for Kubernetes deployments._

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---

Tags: [#kubernetes](https://daily.dev/tags/kubernetes), [#helm](https://daily.dev/tags/helm)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/kubernetes-dashboard-to-headlamp-a-step-by-step-guide-ioreqtmgd)

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