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Run microservices locally.
No Kubernetes required.

TDK CLI lets you run 5-120+ microservices locally with Docker only. One service.json file generates 10+ configurations automatically.

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Explore Features See how it works
Built on:
Tilt (9.4k ★) Docker Bun/Node Vite TypeScript
The Problem

The Kubernetes Learning Curve

Every microservice tool forces you to learn infrastructure you don't need for local development.

70%

Don't know Kubernetes

Yet every tool forces them to learn it

$500+

Cloud dev environments

What teams pay when they give up

30s

Garden startup

vs 5s with TDK

120+

Services proven

Running locally at scale

How It Works

From one manifest to 10+ configs

Write the source of truth. TDK handles the rest.

1

Write service.json

Simple JSON with app name, type, port, and features

2

TDK generates

Docker, Vite, TSConfig, nginx, env files, and more

3

Tilt orchestrates

Built on Tilt. Hot reload. Docker containers.

4

You write code

No K8s knowledge needed. Focus on your product.

Code Example

One manifest. Multiple configs.

service.json 
// The single source of truth
{
  "appName": "order-frontend",
  "appType": "frontend",
  "port": 3001,
  "features": ["vite", "typescript"],
  "backendName": "order-backend"
}
Technologies Configured (14+) 

  
  

    
      
    
    
Docker

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
Compose

  

  
  
  

    
      
        
        
      
      
      
    
    
Vite

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
TypeScript

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
Nginx

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
      
    
    
Bun

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
Tilt

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
Infisical

  

  
  
  

    
      
    
    
Playwright

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
Prisma

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
PostgreSQL

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
NATS

  

  
  
  

    
      
    
    
Traefik

  

  
  
  

    
      
      
    
    
NPM
Comparison

Head-to-head with alternatives

TDK is the only tool that's manifest-driven AND Kubernetes-free.

Feature TDK CLI Garden Skaffold DevSpace
Kubernetes required ✓ No ⚠ Optional ✗ Yes ✗ Yes
Manifest format Simple JSON Complex YAML Complex YAML YAML
Auto-generated files ✓ 10+ files 3-5 files ✗ Manual ✗ Manual
Golden Docker images ✓ L1-L4 ✗ DIY ✗ DIY ✗ DIY
Auto-discovery ✓ Scans dirs ✗ Manual ✗ Manual ✗ Manual
Local-only mode ✓ Docker only ✗ Needs cluster ✗ Needs cluster ✗ Needs cluster
Open source ✓ MIT ✓ Apache ✓ Apache ✗ Commercial

Winner: TDK — only tool that's manifest-driven AND Kubernetes-free

Audience

Who should use what

Choose the right tool for your team's expertise.

Platform Engineers

Use Garden or DevSpace

They WANT Kubernetes and have the expertise to manage it.

Senior Backend Devs

Use Tilt or Skaffold

They tolerate K8s complexity and can handle the learning curve.

Full-Stack Developers ✓

Use TDK

Don't know K8s, don't want to learn it. Just want to write code.

Product Teams ✓

Use TDK

Need to test features across 10+ services without waiting for DevOps.

Startups ✓

Use TDK

Outgrew "works on my machine" but not ready for platform team overhead.

FAQ

Common questions

Quick answers to frequent concerns.

But we need Kubernetes for production

Local dev doesn't need to match production. Use TDK for fast local iteration (5s startup), K8s for prod when ready. Decoupled.

What about CI/CD?

TDK is completely decoupled from your CI. Use it for local development, whatever you want for CI/CD. No lock-in.

We already use Garden

TDK complements Garden. Use TDK for local speed (5s vs 30s startup), Garden for prod-like integration tests. Best of both.

Is 120+ services realistic locally?

Yes, with selective startup. You don't run all 120 at once—just what you need. Proven at scale with proper resource management.

Launching Soon

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In Development

We're building something special

TDK CLI is currently in active development. The core generators are working, the architecture is solid, and we're battle-testing it with 120+ services.

Join the waitlist to get:

  • Early access to the beta release
  • Exclusive updates on new features
  • Shape the roadmap — your feedback matters
  • First dibs on documentation & tutorials

Current Status

Core Generators 95%
Documentation 70%
Testing & QA 60%
CLI Interface 40%

Expected Launch: Q1 2026