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Quick start

This guide gets you from zero to a connected cluster in Kaja. You’ll create the cluster in Kaja first, then run one command on your own Kubernetes cluster so they can talk to each other.

What you need

  • A Kaja account (sign up at the app).
  • A Kubernetes cluster—or a way to create one. For example, k3d runs a small cluster on your laptop in a few seconds.
  • kubectl and Helm 3 installed so you can run the install command.

Step 1: Create the cluster in Kaja

  1. Log in to the Kaja app (e.g. app.kaja.dev).
  2. Choose your organization (or create one—think of it as your team’s workspace).
  3. Open Clusters and click Connect Cluster.
  4. Fill in:
    • Name — A friendly label, e.g. “My dev cluster”.
    • Slug — A short, unique id (e.g. demo-private). You’ll use this when you create the cluster on your side. It can’t be changed later.
  5. Click Connect.

Kaja will create the cluster and show you a setup page with a custom install command. That command already contains a secret token—only you see it. Don’t share it.

Step 2: Create your Kubernetes cluster (if you don’t have one)

If you’re using k3d, create a cluster with the same slug you used in Kaja. For example, if your slug was demo-private:

k3d cluster create demo-private

If you already have a cluster, skip to the next step.

Step 3: Run the install command on your cluster

On the Kaja setup page you’ll see one or two ways to install (e.g. “From a release tarball” and “Or from OCI”). Pick one, copy the whole command, and run it in your terminal. Make sure kubectl is pointing at the cluster you want to connect.

The command installs a small agent in that cluster. The agent talks to Kaja so you can manage the cluster from the dashboard.

When the agent is running, Kaja will show the cluster as Active. You’re done.

Step 4: Do something with it

Once the cluster is connected, try:

  • Environments — Create an environment (e.g. “staging” or “dev”). Environments are like folders where you’ll put your apps.
  • Container apps — Deploy an app into an environment. You can pause it when you’re not using it to save cost.

Next steps