Where Does OpenLens Store Data and Extensions?
OpenLens keeps clusters, extensions, and local state under a .k8slens folder in your home directory.
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OpenLens stores its working state in a dot folder in your home directory. Added clusters, preferences, downloaded extensions, and caches all live there. Your actual cluster credentials stay in the kubeconfig file where kubectl left them.
That split matters on shared machines. Wiping .k8slens logs you out of the app and drops extensions, but kubectl keeps working. Extension authors target the extensions subfolder directly, which is the documented manual install route.
Where OpenLens stores this, by platform
C:\Users\<you>\.k8slens
State, clusters, and extensions under one roof. Extensions go in the extensions subfolder. The kubeconfig it reads stays in %UserProfile%\.kube and is never moved here.
~/.k8slens
Same layout as Linux. Extensions land in ~/.k8slens/extensions. Reset the app by quitting it and renaming this folder.
~/.k8slens
Home for clusters, preferences, and extensions. Manual extension installs go in ~/.k8slens/extensions. Kubeconfigs under ~/.kube are read in place.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install an OpenLens extension by hand?
Drop the extension folder into ~/.k8slens/extensions (or the Windows equivalent) and restart. Lens detects it on launch. Removing the folder uninstalls it just as cleanly.
Does deleting .k8slens delete my kubeconfig?
No. OpenLens reads your kubeconfig in place and stores only its own metadata (added clusters, preferences, extension data) under .k8slens. Deleting that folder resets the app without touching cluster credentials.
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