---
sidebar_position: 2
title: Selecting a context
description: Viewing and selecting the current Kubernetes context
keywords: [podman desktop, podman, containers, pods, context, kubernetes]
tags: [selecting-context, kubernetes]
---

import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';

# Viewing and selecting the current Kubernetes context

With Podman Desktop, you can view and select your current Kubernetes context to access:

- The Kubernetes cluster you want to interact with
- The namespace where you define your application resources

Based on your configurations, Podman Desktop automatically populates the context list. For example, if you have created a Minikube, Kind, or Developer Sandbox cluster, a respective Kubernetes context is automatically added in the Podman Desktop application. Then, you can easily switch from one context to another if needed.

:::note

When you select a Kubernetes context, you can access all the namespaces associated with it. You can switch from one namespace to another using the Kubernetes dashboard page or the Kubernetes object page.

:::

#### Prerequisites

- You have a Kubernetes context in your kubeconfig file: _&lt;your_kubernetes_cluster&gt;_.
  For example, [Creating a kind cluster](/docs/kind/creating-a-kind-cluster).

#### Procedure: Using the status bar

1. To view your current Kubernetes context, in the **Podman Desktop** main window status bar, see the name next to the **Current Kubernetes context** icon.

2. Optional: To change your Kubernetes context:
   1. Click the context in the status bar.
   2. Select a Kubernetes context to activate from the dropdown list.
      ![selecting a context from dropdown](img/selecting-context-from-dropdown.png)

#### Procedure: Using the Podman Desktop Settings

1. Go to **Settings > Kubernetes** to view the configured Kubernetes contexts.
1. Optional: Click the **Set as Current Context** icon to change your context.
   ![selecting a context](img/selecting-context.png)

#### Procedure: Using the tray menu

1. Open the **Podman Desktop tray** menu.

   <Tabs groupId="operating-systems">
   <TabItem value="win" label="Windows">

   In the task bar, click **Show hidden icons**.

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-icon-on-windows-10.png)

   Right-click the **Podman Desktop tray** icon to open the menu.

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-main-menu-on-windows-10.png)

   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="mac" label="macOS">

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-main-menu-on-macos.png)

   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="linux" label="Linux">

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-main-menu-on-linux.png)

   </TabItem>

   </Tabs>

1. Click **Kubernetes** to see your current Kubernetes context.

   <Tabs groupId="operating-systems">
   <TabItem value="win" label="Windows">

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-kubernetes-on-windows-10.png)

   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="mac" label="macOS">

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-kubernetes-on-macos.png)

   </TabItem>
   <TabItem value="linux" label="Linux">

   ![Podman Desktop tray](img/tray-kubernetes-on-linux.png)

   </TabItem>

   </Tabs>

1. (Optionally) To change your Kubernetes context, click on the context name to activate.
