Minikube — runs a local single-node Kubernetes cluster on your machine. Used for learning and practice, not production.
kubectl — the command line tool to talk to and control any Kubernetes cluster. It is just a client, not the cluster itself.
You need both. Minikube gives you the cluster, kubectl lets you control it.
You need a container or virtual machine driver installed first. Pick one:
If you already have Docker Desktop, you are ready to go.
Installed using Chocolatey (choco). For full steps refer to official documentation: https://minikube.sigs.k8s.io/docs/start/
choco install minikube
Verify install:
minikube version