# Tilt

> Apache-2.0 microservice dev loop for Kubernetes

**Category:** DevOps  
**Pricing:** open-source  
**URL:** https://tilt.dev  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/tilt-dev/tilt  
**Added:** 2026-09-09

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## The Hook

Tilt is `tilt up` for microservice teams who live in a local or remote Kubernetes cluster while they code.

## What's Good

Apache-2.0. Tiltfile (Starlark) defines how services build, deploy, and live-update. UI shows build/deploy status across many services. Works with Docker/Podman builds and common local clusters. File sync / live update cuts full image rebuilds for many stacks.

## The Catch

Vs Skaffold/Garden/DevSpace: Tilt is the Kubernetes *dev control plane*, not a prod CD system and not a Dockerfile replacement (Earthly/BuildKit still own image recipes). You need a cluster and a willingness to learn Tiltfile. Not magic for non-container monoliths.

## Verdict

Apache-2.0 K8s dev loop. Free forever; use when many services share one cluster while you type.