> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Lens Spaces
> Centralized cloud-based extension for Lens IDE enabling secure real-time collaboration on Kubernetes clusters without VPNs or firewall adjustments.
Lens Spaces is a centralized, cloud-based extension for Lens IDE, providing secure, real-time collaboration on Kubernetes clusters. Built on TeamLens’s cloud platform and Lens 5+, it removes the need for VPNs, kubeconfig juggling, or firewall adjustments. Follow this guide to set up, share, and manage clusters using Lens Spaces.
***
## 1. Prerequisites & Versions
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
| Requirement | Details |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Lens IDE | Version 5.0 or later (we recommend 5.13+) |
| Lens Account | Sign up with email, GitHub, or Google |
| Network Access | Outbound HTTPS for Lens Spaces and ClusterConnect proxy |
Verify your Lens version via **Help › About Lens** in the desktop app.
***
## 2. Login to Lens Spaces
1. In Lens, click **Lens Login** in the bottom-right corner.
2. Your browser opens the Lens Spaces sign-up page—authenticate via GitHub, Google, or email.
3. Confirm the “Open Lens” prompt in your browser to return to the desktop app.
Once logged in, your account name appears in the bottom-right corner of Lens.
***
## 3. Explore the Cluster Catalog
Navigate to **Catalog** in the sidebar to see all registered clusters. Disconnected clusters (e.g., GKE, Minikube) display until they’re launched.
Click any cluster to inspect its details—node performance, metrics, proxy settings, and more.
***
## 4. Create a Space
Spaces are collaborative workspaces for sharing clusters.
1. Go to **Catalog › Spaces**.
2. Click the **+** icon (or your username › **Add Space**).
3. Enter a unique name (e.g., `CodeCloudDemo1`) and press Enter.
4. In **Space Settings**, update the **Display name** and **Description** (e.g., “Developer Clusters – Shared by TeamLens”).
***
## 5. Invite Members
Add collaborators by username, email, or shareable link.
1. In **Spaces › Members**, click **Invite**.
2. Enter a username or email (e.g., `TesterEdward`) and send the invite.
Once accepted, members can access clusters shared within this space.
***
## 6. Share Your Kubernetes Cluster
To share a cluster:
1. In **Clusters**, select your target cluster (e.g., Minikube).
2. Click the **Share Cluster** icon.
3. Choose your space (`CodeCloudDemo1`).
4. Install **ClusterConnect** when prompted.
ClusterConnect establishes a secure, end-to-end encrypted tunnel using a client-side reverse proxy and WebSocket. The BoreD daemon never inspects encrypted traffic.\
For architecture details, see the [ClusterConnect documentation](https://docs.k8slens.dev/latest/spaces/cluster-connect/technical-details).
By default, shared clusters are **read-only**. To grant write permissions or restrict namespaces, configure teams and role bindings.
***
## 7. Configure Teams & Permissions
Create teams for granular access control:
1. Under **Teams**, click **Add Team** (e.g., `Developers`).
2. Assign members and define RoleBindings (e.g., restrict to the `monitoring` namespace).
***
## 8. Accepting an Invitation
As the invited user:
1. Log out and sign in with your invitee account (e.g., `TesterEdward`).
2. Navigate to **My Profile › Spaces**. The pending invitation appears.
3. Click **Accept**.
Return to **Clusters**—you’ll see the shared cluster listed alongside your local ones.
Open the cluster to explore workloads, metrics, configurations, and more—without manual kubeconfig management.
***
## Conclusion
Lens Spaces unifies cluster management and collaboration under a single, secure platform. By combining ClusterConnect’s encrypted tunnels with team-based roles, your team can work on Kubernetes clusters confidently and efficiently—no VPNs or networking hurdles required.
***
## Links & References
* [Lens Spaces Documentation](https://docs.k8slens.dev/latest/spaces/)
* [ClusterConnect Technical Details](https://docs.k8slens.dev/latest/spaces/cluster-connect/technical-details)
* [Kubernetes Official Docs](https://kubernetes.io/docs/)
* [Lens IDE GitHub](https://github.com/kubernetes-helm/helm)