{"name":"OpenCost: Open Source Cost Monitoring for Kubernetes and Cloud","description":"OpenCost is an open-source tool providing comprehensive cost monitoring for Kubernetes workloads and multi-cloud environments. It offers real-time visibility into resource allocation and cloud spend, enabling teams to optimize costs across AWS, Azure, and GCP. This CNCF project promotes cost transparency in complex cloud-native setups.","github":"https://github.com/opencost/opencost","url":"https://osrepos.com/repo/opencost-opencost","source":"osrepos.com","sourceDescription":"This repository profile is provided by osrepos.com, an open source repository discovery platform.","repositoryProfile":"https://osrepos.com/repo/opencost-opencost","generatedFor":"open source discovery and AI-assisted research","markdown":"https://osrepos.com/repo/opencost-opencost.md","json":"https://osrepos.com/repo/opencost-opencost.json","topics":["opencost","kubernetes","cost monitoring","finops","cloud costs","cncf","prometheus","go"],"keywords":["opencost","kubernetes","cost monitoring","finops","cloud costs","cncf","prometheus","go"],"stars":null,"summary":"OpenCost is an open-source tool providing comprehensive cost monitoring for Kubernetes workloads and multi-cloud environments. It offers real-time visibility into resource allocation and cloud spend, enabling teams to optimize costs across AWS, Azure, and GCP. This CNCF project promotes cost transparency in complex cloud-native setups.","content":"## Introduction\n\nOpenCost is a powerful open-source tool designed for comprehensive cost monitoring of Kubernetes workloads and cloud expenses. It provides teams with real-time visibility into current and historical Kubernetes and multi-cloud spend, along with detailed resource allocation. Originally developed and open-sourced by Kubecost, OpenCost is now a prominent project within the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), fostering cost transparency in complex cloud-native environments.\n\nKey features include:\n*   Real-time cost allocation by Kubernetes cluster, node, namespace, and more.\n*   Multi-cloud cost monitoring across AWS, Azure, and GCP.\n*   Dynamic on-demand Kubernetes asset pricing through integrations with cloud billing APIs.\n*   Support for on-prem Kubernetes clusters with custom CSV pricing.\n*   Allocation for in-cluster resources like CPU, GPU, memory, and persistent volumes.\n*   Easy export of pricing data to Prometheus via a `/metrics` endpoint.\n*   Carbon costs for cloud resources and support for external costs via OpenCost Plugins.\n*   An innovative MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for AI agent integration, enabled by default.\n\nOpenCost is distributed under the Apache 2.0 License, ensuring its free and open-source nature.\n\n## Installation\n\nOpenCost is primarily installed and managed using its official Helm chart. This method ensures a streamlined deployment and upgrade process for any Kubernetes 1.20+ cluster.\n\nTo quickly install OpenCost, follow these steps:\n\nbash\nhelm repo add opencost https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart\nhelm repo update\nhelm install opencost opencost/opencost\n\n\nNote that standalone Kubernetes manifest files have been removed. For detailed installation instructions and configuration options, refer to the [Helm installation documentation](https://www.opencost.io/docs/installation/install){:target=\"_blank\"}.\n\n## Examples\n\nOpenCost offers various ways to interact with its data, from a user interface to powerful APIs and a CLI tool. Here are examples demonstrating how AI agents can leverage the MCP server to query cost data:\n\n**Querying Cost Allocation:**\nRetrieve cost allocation data for the last 7 days, aggregated by namespace and node.\n\njavascript\n// Get cost allocation for the last 7 days\nconst allocation = await mcpClient.callTool('get_allocation_costs', {\n  window: '7d',\n  aggregate: 'namespace,node'\n});\n\n\n**Querying Asset Costs:**\nAccess detailed asset cost information for the last 24 hours.\n\njavascript\n// Get asset costs for the last 24 hours\nconst assets = await mcpClient.callTool('get_asset_costs', {\n  window: '1d'\n});\n\n\n**Querying Cloud Costs:**\nFilter cloud cost data for AWS EC2 services in the `us-west-1` region over 7 days, accumulated daily.\n\njavascript\n// Get cloud costs for AWS EC2 in us-west-1\nconst cloudCosts = await mcpClient.callTool('get_cloud_costs', {\n  window: '7d',\n  aggregate: 'service',\n  provider: 'aws',\n  service: 'ec2',\n  accumulate: 'day',\n  filter: 'regionID:\"us-west-1\"'\n});\n\n\nFor more usage details, including Cost APIs, CLI (`kubectl cost`), Prometheus Metrics, and the User Interface, visit the [OpenCost documentation](https://www.opencost.io/docs/integrations/api){:target=\"_blank\"}.\n\n## Why Use OpenCost?\n\nOpenCost stands out as an essential tool for any organization managing Kubernetes and cloud infrastructure due to several compelling reasons:\n\n*   **Unparalleled Cost Transparency:** Gain deep insights into where your cloud and Kubernetes spend is going, breaking down costs by various Kubernetes constructs and cloud services.\n*   **Multi-Cloud Optimization:** Effectively monitor and optimize costs across major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and GCP, from a single pane of glass.\n*   **Real-time Data and Integrations:** Leverage real-time cost allocation data and seamlessly integrate with Prometheus for robust monitoring and alerting.\n*   **AI-Ready with MCP Server:** The built-in MCP server provides a standardized interface for AI agents, enabling advanced analytics and automated cost management strategies.\n*   **Community-Driven and Open Source:** As a CNCF project with an Apache 2.0 license, OpenCost benefits from a vibrant community, ensuring continuous development, support, and transparency.\n*   **Flexibility:** Supports both cloud and on-premise Kubernetes deployments, with options for custom pricing.\n\n## Links\n\n*   **GitHub Repository:** [https://github.com/opencost/opencost](https://github.com/opencost/opencost){:target=\"_blank\"}\n*   **Official Documentation:** [https://www.opencost.io/docs](https://www.opencost.io/docs){:target=\"_blank\"}\n*   **Helm Chart:** [https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart](https://opencost.github.io/opencost-helm-chart){:target=\"_blank\"}\n*   **CNCF Slack Channel:** [#opencost on CNCF Slack](https://cloud-native.slack.com/archives/C03D56FPD4G){:target=\"_blank\"}\n*   **OpenCost Working Group:** [Community Meeting](https://bit.ly/opencost-meeting){:target=\"_blank\"}","metrics":{"detailViews":9,"githubClicks":2},"dates":{"published":null,"modified":"2026-01-16T20:01:23.000Z"}}