Install KDV

KDV is available as a native command-line package and as an official container image. Both channels expose the same kdv command, project format and build outputs.

The CLI examples use the official container image for compatibility across development machines and CI environments. Projects generated by KDV include a version-pinned ./kdv launcher that follows the same container-based workflow.

Choose a distribution channel

Install kdv as a host command and manage it through the official Kubling APT repository.

Debian and Ubuntu

Run the portable image used by the documentation, generated launchers and CI workflows.

Container image

Channel	Use it when	Release selection
Native package	KDV should be installed and upgraded by the host package manager	Package version
Container image	The same isolated CLI should run across developer machines and CI	Image tag or digest

The distribution channel changes how KDV reaches the host, not how projects are authored. Additional package formats can be added without changing the commands used throughout the remaining guides.

Debian and Ubuntu KDV v26.5+

First configure the Kubling APT repository. Then install the CLI package and verify the command:


sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install kubling-cli
kdv --version

The package installs kdv as a host command. Commands that start or test a project environment still require Docker Engine, Docker Compose v2 and access to the selected Docker daemon.

Create a project directly from the installed command with:


kdv project init my-project

The generated project includes its own ./kdv launcher. Keep that launcher under version control so the project uses its selected CLI release instead of depending on whichever package version happens to be installed on a host.

Container image

Pull and verify an explicit CLI release:


docker pull docker.io/kubling/kubling-cli:<tag>
docker run --rm docker.io/kubling/kubling-cli:<tag> --version

The image expects a project workspace at /workspace. The create a project guide provides the complete bootstrap command and continues with the generated ./kdv launcher.