10 Best VS Code Extensions for Docker and Kubernetes

Docker and Kubernetes have become standard tools for development and deployment. These 10 extensions bring containers and clusters into your editor so you can manage images, pods, and deployments without leaving VS Code.

Every extension has a verified or well-known publisher as of mid-2026.

Core Docker tools

1. Docker

Publisher: ms-azuretools.vscode-docker
Why: Microsoft's official Docker extension. It adds Dockerfile and Docker Compose syntax highlighting, IntelliSense, and validation.

The Docker explorer view shows containers, images, networks, and volumes. Right-click a container to start, stop, attach a shell, or view logs. Right-click an image to run it or push to a registry.

If you work with Docker in any capacity, this extension is the starting point. For help managing extensions, see the guide on installing, disabling, and updating extensions.

2. Dev Containers

Publisher: ms-vscode-remote.remote-containers
Why: Develop inside a Docker container. Define your development environment in a devcontainer.json file.

VS Code opens the project inside the container with all tools, extensions, and dependencies pre-installed. Every team member gets the same reproducible environment.

Useful when your project needs specific tool versions, system libraries, or when you want to isolate development from your local machine.

3. Docker Explorer

Publisher: formulahendry.docker-explorer
Why: An alternative Docker explorer with additional features for managing images and containers. Provides a more detailed view of container logs, environment variables, and port mappings. Good as a supplement to the official Docker extension.

Kubernetes tools

4. Kubernetes

Publisher: ms-kubernetes-tools.vscode-kubernetes-tools
Why: Microsoft's official Kubernetes extension. Browse clusters, view pods, deployments, services, and config maps. Edit Kubernetes YAML manifests with IntelliSense and schema validation.

View pod logs and attach a terminal to a container running in a pod. Supports Helm charts.

Requires kubectl to be installed and configured with access to your cluster.

5. mirrord

Publisher: MetalBear.mirrord
Why: Debug a local service as if it were running inside your Kubernetes cluster. Your local process receives the traffic, environment variables, and files of a target pod while your code stays on your machine.

Enable mirrord from the status bar button, then run or debug as usual. Pick the pod to impersonate from the quick pick that appears. No need to rebuild and redeploy after every code change.

The CLI and VS Code extension are free and open source for individual use. A paid Teams plan adds shared cluster features like traffic filtering and RBAC.

6. Kubernetes Support (snapshot)

Publisher: ipedrazas.kubernetes-snippets
Why: A collection of Kubernetes YAML snippets. Type a short prefix and the extension generates a complete Deployment, Service, ConfigMap, or Ingress template. Saves time when writing Kubernetes manifests from scratch.

Configuration and YAML

7. YAML

Publisher: redhat.vscode-yaml
Why: YAML validation and autocomplete by Red Hat. It validates YAML syntax and provides schema-aware IntelliSense for Kubernetes manifests, Docker Compose files, GitHub Actions workflows, and more. Highlights duplicate keys, incorrect indentation, and missing required fields.

Since Docker Compose files and Kubernetes manifests are written in YAML, this extension is essential for both Docker and Kubernetes work.

8. Even Better TOML

Publisher: tamasfe.even-better-toml
Why: Not Kubernetes-specific, but useful for Docker and DevOps work. Provides syntax highlighting and validation for TOML files, which are commonly used in Docker-related tools and configuration.

Monitoring and debugging

9. Docker Compose

Publisher: p1c2u.docker-compose
Why: Docker Compose IntelliSense for service names, image tags, port mappings, and volume configurations. Validates Compose file syntax as you type. Works with the Red Hat YAML extension for schema-aware autocomplete.

10. Remote Explorer

Publisher: ms-vscode.remote-explorer
Why: Adds a sidebar view for browsing the targets used by VS Code's remote features, including Dev Containers, SSH hosts, and Tunnels. See which containers exist, which one your workspace is connected to, and reopen a folder in a different container without hunting through the Command Palette.

Quick selection guide

The Docker extension, YAML extension, Dev Containers, and Kubernetes extension are all free. mirrord is free and open source for individual use. All extensions can be installed from the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X).

For linting and formatting tools that pair well with a Dockerized workflow, see the list of 12 linting and formatting extensions.