From Cluster UI to Operational Plane: Lessons from the Kubernetes Dashboard Deprecation

The official Kubernetes Dashboard has been deprecated. This reflects the shift in Kubernetes operations towards multi-cluster environments, GitOps workflows, and strict access controls. Modern Kubernetes environments require application-aware, RBAC-first operational tools that work across clusters and complement automation practices. Alternative platforms like Devtron serve as operational planes above the cluster, providing context, guardrails, and visibility for managing applications on Kubernetes.