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---
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stage: Deploy
group: Environments
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info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
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---
# Connect a cluster to GitLab **(FREE)**
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The [certificate-based Kubernetes integration with GitLab ](../index.md )
was [deprecated ](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/configure/-/epics/8 )
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in GitLab 14.5. To connect your clusters, use the [GitLab agent ](../../../clusters/agent/index.md ).
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## Cluster levels (deprecated)
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> [Deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/configure/-/epics/8) in GitLab 14.5.
WARNING:
The [concept of cluster levels was deprecated ](../index.md#cluster-levels )
in GitLab 14.5.
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Choose your cluster's level according to its purpose:
| Level | Purpose |
|--|--|
| [Project level ](../../../project/clusters/index.md ) | Use your cluster for a single project. |
| [Group level ](../../../group/clusters/index.md ) | Use the same cluster across multiple projects within your group. |
| [Instance level ](../../../instance/clusters/index.md ) | Use the same cluster across groups and projects within your instance. |
### View your clusters
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To view the Kubernetes clusters connected to your project,
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group, or instance, open the cluster's page according to
your cluster's level.
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**Project-level clusters:**
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1. On the top bar, select **Main menu > Projects** and find your project.
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1. On the left sidebar, select **Infrastructure > Kubernetes clusters** .
**Group-level clusters:**
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1. On the top bar, select **Main menu > Groups** and find your group.
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1. On the left sidebar, select **Kubernetes** .
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**Instance-level clusters:**
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1. On the top bar, select **Main menu > Admin** .
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1. On the left sidebar, select **Kubernetes** .
## Security implications for clusters connected with certificates
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> Connecting clusters to GitLab through cluster certificates was [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/configure/-/epics/8) in GitLab 14.5.
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WARNING:
The whole cluster security is based on a model where [developers ](../../../permissions.md )
are trusted, so **only trusted users should be allowed to control your clusters** .
The use of cluster certificates to connect your cluster grants
access to a wide set of functionalities needed to successfully
build and deploy a containerized application. Bear in mind that
the same credentials are used for all the applications running
on the cluster.