diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/connect.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/connect.go
index d1d09fcee0..64e430e474 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/connect.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/connect.go
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import (
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/upgrade"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
@@ -91,15 +93,13 @@ func (cmd *ConnectCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// get manager
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	// is platform manager?
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.ConnectPlatform(ctx, &cmd.ConnectOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, vClusterName, args[1:], cmd.Log)
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.Log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return cli.ConnectPlatform(ctx, &cmd.ConnectOptions, platformClient, cmd.GlobalFlags, vClusterName, args[1:], cmd.Log)
 	}
 
 	return cli.ConnectHelm(ctx, &cmd.ConnectOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, vClusterName, args[1:], cmd.Log)
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/create.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/create.go
index e349f6bf6c..3e54311ba6 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/create.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/create.go
@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ import (
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/constants"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/upgrade"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
@@ -94,16 +96,17 @@ vcluster create test --namespace test
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *CreateCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.log)
 
 	// check if we should create a platform vCluster
-	platform.PrintManagerInfo("create", manager, cmd.log)
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.CreatePlatform(ctx, &cmd.CreateOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
+	config.PrintManagerInfo("create", c.Manager.Type, cmd.log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return cli.CreatePlatform(ctx, &cmd.CreateOptions, platformClient, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
 	}
 
-	return cli.CreateHelm(ctx, &cmd.CreateOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
+	return cli.CreateHelm(ctx, &cmd.CreateOptions, &c.Platform.Config, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/delete.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/delete.go
index 4e62024e48..c772e554fd 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/delete.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/delete.go
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@ import (
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -62,17 +64,16 @@ vcluster delete test --namespace test
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *DeleteCmd) Run(cobraCmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.log)
+	config.PrintManagerInfo("delete", c.Manager.Type, cmd.log)
 
-	// check if we should delete a platform vCluster
-	platform.PrintManagerInfo("delete", manager, cmd.log)
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		// deploy platform cluster
-		return cli.DeletePlatform(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.DeleteOptions, args[0], cmd.log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(cobraCmd.Context(), c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return cli.DeletePlatform(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.DeleteOptions, platformClient, args[0], cmd.log)
 	}
 
-	return cli.DeleteHelm(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.DeleteOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
+	return cli.DeleteHelm(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.DeleteOptions, c.Platform.Config, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.log)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/info.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/info.go
index 799f108948..061ad72255 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/info.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/info.go
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"runtime"
 
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/telemetry"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ type cliInfo struct {
 }
 
 // NewInfoCmd creates a new info command
-func NewInfoCmd() *cobra.Command {
+func NewInfoCmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) *cobra.Command {
 	cobraCmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "info",
 		Short: "Displays informations about the cli and platform",
@@ -37,14 +39,16 @@ vcluster info
 		Args:   cobra.NoArgs,
 		Hidden: true,
 		RunE: func(cobraCmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
+			logger := log.GetInstance()
 			infos := cliInfo{
 				Version:   cobraCmd.Root().Version,
 				OS:        runtime.GOOS,
 				Arch:      runtime.GOARCH,
-				MachineID: telemetry.GetMachineID(log.GetInstance()),
+				MachineID: telemetry.GetMachineID(globalFlags.Config, logger),
 			}
 
-			platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+			c := config.Read(globalFlags.Config, logger)
+			platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(cobraCmd.Context(), c.Platform.Config)
 			if err == nil {
 				infos.InstanceID = platformClient.Self().Status.InstanceID
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/list.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/list.go
index 8749adc26c..4ba86f865f 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/list.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/list.go
@@ -3,8 +3,9 @@ package cmd
 import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -53,15 +54,11 @@ vcluster list --namespace test
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *ListCmd) Run(cobraCmd *cobra.Command, _ []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.log)
 	// check if we should create a platform vCluster
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.ListPlatform(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.ListOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, cmd.log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		return cli.ListPlatform(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.ListOptions, c.Platform.Config, cmd.GlobalFlags, cmd.log)
 	}
 
-	return cli.ListHelm(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.ListOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, cmd.log)
+	return cli.ListHelm(cobraCmd.Context(), &cmd.ListOptions, c.Platform.Config, cmd.GlobalFlags, cmd.log)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/login.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/login.go
index d640d03b88..f99e8ae0e9 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/login.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/login.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -21,7 +20,7 @@ type LoginOptions struct {
 }
 
 func NewLoginCmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) (*cobra.Command, error) {
-	loftGlobalFlags, err := platform.GlobalFlags(globalFlags)
+	loftGlobalFlags, err := flags.LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pro flags: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -61,7 +60,7 @@ vcluster login https://my-vcluster-platform.com --access-key myaccesskey
 
 			// should switch manager
 			if options.Manager != "" {
-				err = use.SwitchManager(options.Manager, log.GetInstance())
+				err = use.SwitchManager(cobraCmd.Context(), globalFlags.Config, options.Manager, log.GetInstance())
 				if err != nil {
 					return fmt.Errorf("switch manager failed: %w", err)
 				}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/logout.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/logout.go
index e4a42b9221..6493a93d78 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/logout.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/logout.go
@@ -6,13 +6,15 @@ import (
 	loftctl "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/cmd/loftctl/cmd"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 func NewLogoutCmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) (*cobra.Command, error) {
-	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := platform.GlobalFlags(globalFlags)
+	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := flags.LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pro flags: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -38,7 +40,9 @@ vcluster logout
 		Long:  description,
 		Args:  cobra.NoArgs,
 		RunE: func(cobraCmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-			_, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+			logger := log.GetInstance()
+			c := config.Read(cmd.Config, logger)
+			_, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(cobraCmd.Context(), c.Platform.Config)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -48,7 +52,7 @@ vcluster logout
 				return err
 			}
 
-			err = use.SwitchManager(string(platform.ManagerHelm), log.GetInstance())
+			err = use.SwitchManager(cobraCmd.Context(), globalFlags.Config, string(manager.Helm), logger)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/pause.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/pause.go
index 010db7224e..2c783aa0e0 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/pause.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/pause.go
@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import (
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -65,14 +67,15 @@ vcluster pause test --namespace test
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *PauseCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.Log)
 
 	// check if we should create a platform vCluster
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.PausePlatform(ctx, &cmd.PauseOptions, args[0], cmd.Log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return cli.PausePlatform(ctx, &cmd.PauseOptions, platformClient, args[0], cmd.Log)
 	}
 
 	return cli.PauseHelm(ctx, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log)
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/access_key.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/access_key.go
index 406cd1cdbd..4a57340111 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/access_key.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/access_key.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func getToken(cmd *AccessKeyCmd, baseClient client.Client) error {
 	if config == nil {
 		return ErrNoConfigLoaded
 	} else if config.Host == "" || config.AccessKey == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: please make sure you have run '%s [%s]'", ErrNotLoggedIn, product.LoginCmd(), product.Url())
+		return fmt.Errorf("%w: please make sure you have run '%s' to create one or '%s [%s]' if one already exists", ErrNotLoggedIn, product.StartCmd(), product.LoginCmd(), product.Url())
 	}
 
 	// by default we print the access key as token
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/import.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/import.go
index 1d2a6d4b89..e9b6aabb53 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/import.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/import.go
@@ -2,11 +2,14 @@ package platform
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -56,15 +59,24 @@ vcluster platform import my-vcluster --cluster connected-cluster \
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *ImportCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.Log)
 
 	// check if we should create a platform vCluster
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.ActivatePlatform(ctx, &cmd.ActivateOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		return cli.ActivatePlatform(ctx, &cmd.ActivateOptions, platformClient, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log)
+	}
+
+	if err := cli.ActivateHelm(ctx, &cmd.ActivateOptions, &c.Platform.Config, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := config.Write(cmd.Config, c); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("save vCluster config: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	return cli.ActivateHelm(ctx, &cmd.ActivateOptions, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log)
+	return nil
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/platform.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/platform.go
index fad705bddf..e935476841 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/platform.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/platform.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/connect"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -20,7 +19,7 @@ func NewPlatformCmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 		Args: cobra.NoArgs,
 	}
 
-	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := platform.GlobalFlags(globalFlags)
+	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := flags.LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pro flags: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/pro.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/pro.go
index c366f6535f..49493f914d 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/pro.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/pro.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform/connect"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
@@ -22,7 +21,7 @@ Deprecated, please use vcluster platform instead
 		Args: cobra.NoArgs,
 	}
 
-	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := platform.GlobalFlags(globalFlags)
+	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := flags.LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pro flags: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/resume.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/resume.go
index 370d2d1959..f68d89b925 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/resume.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/resume.go
@@ -6,7 +6,9 @@ import (
 	loftctlUtil "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/util"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -60,14 +62,14 @@ vcluster resume test --namespace test
 
 // Run executes the functionality
 func (cmd *ResumeCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
-	manager, err := platform.GetManager(cmd.Manager)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.Log)
 	// check if we should resume a platform backed virtual cluster
-	if manager == platform.ManagerPlatform {
-		return cli.ResumePlatform(ctx, &cmd.ResumeOptions, args[0], cmd.Log)
+	if c.Manager.Type == manager.Platform {
+		platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		return cli.ResumePlatform(ctx, &cmd.ResumeOptions, platformClient, args[0], cmd.Log)
 	}
 
 	return cli.ResumeHelm(ctx, cmd.GlobalFlags, args[0], cmd.Log)
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/root.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/root.go
index b04dfecb8c..ac6dfac764 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/root.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/root.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	cmdpro "github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/platform"
 	cmdtelemetry "github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/telemetry"
@@ -27,6 +28,14 @@ func NewRootCmd(log log.Logger) *cobra.Command {
 		SilenceErrors: true,
 		Short:         "Welcome to vcluster!",
 		PersistentPreRun: func(_ *cobra.Command, _ []string) {
+			if globalFlags.Config == "" {
+				var err error
+				globalFlags.Config, err = config.DefaultConfigFilePath()
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Fatalf("failed to get vcluster configuration file path: %w", err)
+				}
+			}
+
 			if globalFlags.Silent {
 				log.SetLevel(logrus.FatalLevel)
 			} else if globalFlags.Debug {
@@ -49,9 +58,6 @@ func Execute() {
 		panic(err)
 	}
 
-	// start telemetry
-	telemetry.StartCLI()
-
 	// start command
 	log := log.GetInstance()
 	rootCmd, err := BuildRoot(log)
@@ -60,6 +66,9 @@ func Execute() {
 		log.Fatalf("error building root: %+v\n", err)
 	}
 
+	// start telemetry
+	telemetry.StartCLI(globalFlags.Config)
+
 	// Execute command
 	err = rootCmd.ExecuteContext(context.Background())
 	recordAndFlush(err)
@@ -76,7 +85,7 @@ func Execute() {
 func BuildRoot(log log.Logger) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 	rootCmd := NewRootCmd(log)
 	persistentFlags := rootCmd.PersistentFlags()
-	globalFlags = flags.SetGlobalFlags(persistentFlags)
+	globalFlags = flags.SetGlobalFlags(persistentFlags, log)
 
 	// Set version for --version flag
 	rootCmd.Version = upgrade.GetVersion()
@@ -93,9 +102,9 @@ func BuildRoot(log log.Logger) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(get.NewGetCmd(globalFlags))
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(use.NewUseCmd(globalFlags))
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(convert.NewConvertCmd(globalFlags))
-	rootCmd.AddCommand(cmdtelemetry.NewTelemetryCmd())
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(cmdtelemetry.NewTelemetryCmd(globalFlags))
 	rootCmd.AddCommand(versionCmd)
-	rootCmd.AddCommand(NewInfoCmd())
+	rootCmd.AddCommand(NewInfoCmd(globalFlags))
 
 	// add pro commands
 	proCmd, err := cmdpro.NewProCmd(globalFlags)
@@ -143,6 +152,6 @@ func BuildRoot(log log.Logger) (*cobra.Command, error) {
 }
 
 func recordAndFlush(err error) {
-	telemetry.CollectorCLI.RecordCLI(platform.Self, err)
+	telemetry.CollectorCLI.RecordCLI(globalFlags.Config, platform.Self, err)
 	telemetry.CollectorCLI.Flush()
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/disable.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/disable.go
index 8bb79fdf38..1466775856 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/disable.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/disable.go
@@ -2,17 +2,20 @@ package telemetry
 
 import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 type DisableCmd struct {
+	*flags.GlobalFlags
 	log log.Logger
 }
 
-func disable() *cobra.Command {
+func disable(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &DisableCmd{
-		log: log.GetInstance(),
+		GlobalFlags: globalFlags,
+		log:         log.GetInstance(),
 	}
 
 	cobraCmd := &cobra.Command{
@@ -37,7 +40,7 @@ docs: https://www.vcluster.com/docs/advanced-topics/telemetry
 }
 
 func (cmd *DisableCmd) Run(*cobra.Command) error {
-	c := cliconfig.GetConfig(cmd.log)
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.log)
 	c.TelemetryDisabled = true
-	return cliconfig.WriteConfig(c)
+	return config.Write(cmd.Config, c)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/enable.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/enable.go
index 316760d50a..4d64d5f14f 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/enable.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/enable.go
@@ -2,17 +2,20 @@ package telemetry
 
 import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 type EnableCmd struct {
+	*flags.GlobalFlags
 	log log.Logger
 }
 
-func enable() *cobra.Command {
+func enable(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &EnableCmd{
-		log: log.GetInstance(),
+		GlobalFlags: globalFlags,
+		log:         log.GetInstance(),
 	}
 
 	cobraCmd := &cobra.Command{
@@ -37,7 +40,7 @@ docs: https://www.vcluster.com/docs/advanced-topics/telemetry
 }
 
 func (cmd *EnableCmd) Run(*cobra.Command) error {
-	c := cliconfig.GetConfig(cmd.log)
+	c := config.Read(cmd.Config, cmd.log)
 	c.TelemetryDisabled = false
-	return cliconfig.WriteConfig(c)
+	return config.Write(cmd.Config, c)
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/telemetry.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/telemetry.go
index 98350cefde..ac32320130 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/telemetry.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/telemetry/telemetry.go
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
 package telemetry
 
 import (
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
-func NewTelemetryCmd() *cobra.Command {
+func NewTelemetryCmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) *cobra.Command {
 	telemetryCmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "telemetry",
 		Short: "Sets your vcluster telemetry preferences",
@@ -23,7 +24,7 @@ docs: https://www.vcluster.com/docs/advanced-topics/telemetry
 
 	//TODO: hide global flags on this command and all sub-commands, same for the top-level upgrade command
 
-	telemetryCmd.AddCommand(disable())
-	telemetryCmd.AddCommand(enable())
+	telemetryCmd.AddCommand(disable(globalFlags))
+	telemetryCmd.AddCommand(enable(globalFlags))
 	return telemetryCmd
 }
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/ui.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/ui.go
index 939daa22dd..797217839e 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/ui.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/ui.go
@@ -7,12 +7,11 @@ import (
 	loftctl "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/cmd/loftctl/cmd"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
 
 func NewUICmd(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) (*cobra.Command, error) {
-	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := platform.GlobalFlags(globalFlags)
+	loftctlGlobalFlags, err := flags.LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to parse pro flags: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use/manager.go b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use/manager.go
index 80bf72ed3a..dfab4d3712 100644
--- a/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use/manager.go
+++ b/cmd/vclusterctl/cmd/use/manager.go
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
 )
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ Either use helm or vCluster platform as the deployment method for managing virtu
 		Long:  description,
 		Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 		RunE: func(cobraCmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-			if args[0] != string(platform.ManagerHelm) && args[0] != string(platform.ManagerPlatform) {
+			if args[0] != string(manager.Helm) && args[0] != string(manager.Platform) {
 				return fmt.Errorf("you can only use helm or platform to use")
 			}
 
@@ -46,29 +48,25 @@ Either use helm or vCluster platform as the deployment method for managing virtu
 	return managerCmd
 }
 
-func (cmd *ManagerCmd) Run(_ context.Context, args []string) error {
-	return SwitchManager(args[0], cmd.Log)
+func (cmd *ManagerCmd) Run(ctx context.Context, args []string) error {
+	return SwitchManager(ctx, cmd.Config, args[0], cmd.Log)
 }
 
-func SwitchManager(manager string, log log.Logger) error {
-	if manager == string(platform.ManagerPlatform) {
-		_, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+func SwitchManager(ctx context.Context, configPath, mngr string, log log.Logger) error {
+	c := config.Read(configPath, log)
+	mngrType := manager.Type(mngr)
+
+	if mngrType == manager.Platform {
+		_, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, c.Platform.Config)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("cannot switch to platform manager, because seems like you are not logged into a vCluster platform (%w)", err)
 		}
 	}
-
-	managerFile, err := platform.LoadManagerFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	managerFile.Manager = platform.ManagerType(manager)
-	err = platform.SaveManagerFile(managerFile)
-	if err != nil {
+	c.Manager.Type = mngrType
+	if err := config.Write(configPath, c); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	log.Donef("Successfully switched manager to %s", manager)
+	log.Donef("Successfully switched manager to %s", mngr)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cli/activate_helm.go b/pkg/cli/activate_helm.go
index bd3977a996..20f497b44d 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/activate_helm.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/activate_helm.go
@@ -20,12 +20,11 @@ type ActivateOptions struct {
 	ImportName  string
 }
 
-func ActivateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ActivateOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+func ActivateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ActivateOptions, platformConfig *platform.Config, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
+	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, *platformConfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
 	// check if vCluster exists
 	vCluster, err := find.GetVCluster(ctx, globalFlags.Context, vClusterName, globalFlags.Namespace, log)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -43,7 +42,7 @@ func ActivateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ActivateOptions, globalFlags *fl
 	}
 
 	// apply platform secret
-	err = platformClient.ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx, kubeClient, options.ImportName, vCluster.Namespace, options.Project)
+	err = platformClient.ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx, platformConfig, kubeClient, options.ImportName, vCluster.Namespace, options.Project)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/cli/activate_platform.go b/pkg/cli/activate_platform.go
index 70102f5361..684fa54c01 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/activate_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/activate_platform.go
@@ -21,12 +21,8 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/client-go/tools/clientcmd"
 )
 
-func ActivatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ActivateOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func ActivatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ActivateOptions, platformClient platform.Client, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
+	var err error
 	if options.Project == "" {
 		options.Project, err = getProjectName(ctx, platformClient)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/cli/config/config.go b/pkg/cli/config/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d79407f983
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cli/config/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
+	homedir "github.com/mitchellh/go-homedir"
+	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
+)
+
+const (
+	DirName         = ".vcluster"
+	FileName        = "config.json"
+	ManagerFileName = "manager.json"
+)
+
+var (
+	singleConfig      *Config
+	singleConfigOnce  sync.Once
+	singleConfigMutex sync.RWMutex
+)
+
+// New creates a new default config
+func New() *Config {
+	return &Config{
+		TelemetryDisabled: false,
+		Platform: PlatformConfig{
+			platform.Config{
+				TypeMeta: metav1.TypeMeta{
+					Kind:       "Config",
+					APIVersion: "storage.loft.sh/v1",
+				},
+				VirtualClusterAccessPointCertificates: make(map[string]platform.VirtualClusterCertificatesEntry),
+			},
+		},
+		Manager: ManagerConfig{
+			Type: manager.Helm,
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+// Read returns the current config by trying to read it from the given config path.
+// It returns a new default config if there have been any errors during the read.
+func Read(path string, log log.Logger) *Config {
+	singleConfigMutex.RLock()
+	defer singleConfigMutex.RUnlock()
+
+	singleConfigOnce.Do(func() {
+		if singleConfig == nil {
+			cfg, err := readOrNew(path)
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Debugf("Failed to load local configuration file: %v", err)
+			}
+			singleConfig = cfg
+		}
+	})
+
+	return singleConfig
+}
+
+// Write updates the current in-memory config and writes its content to the provided path.
+func Write(path string, c *Config) error {
+	singleConfigMutex.Lock()
+	defer singleConfigMutex.Unlock()
+
+	singleConfig = c
+
+	err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0755)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create directory for configuration file, following error occurred: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	data, err := json.Marshal(c)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to transform config into JSON format, following error occurred: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	err = os.WriteFile(path, data, 0644)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write configuration file, following error occurred: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func PrintManagerInfo(verb string, mngr manager.Type, log log.Logger) {
+	// only print this to stderr
+	log = log.ErrorStreamOnly()
+
+	if mngr == manager.Helm {
+		log.Infof("Using vCluster manager 'helm' to %s your virtual clusters, which means the vCluster CLI is running helm commands directly", verb)
+		log.Info("If you prefer to use the vCluster platform API instead, use the flag '--manager platform' or run 'vcluster use manager platform' to change the default")
+	} else {
+		log.Infof("Using vCluster manager 'platform' to %s your virtual clusters, which means the CLI is using the vCluster platform API instead of helm", verb)
+		log.Info("If you prefer to use helm instead, use the flag '--manager helm' or run 'vcluster use manager helm' to change the default")
+	}
+}
+
+func DefaultConfigFilePath() (string, error) {
+	home, err := homedir.Dir()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return filepath.Join(home, DirName, FileName), nil
+}
+
+func readOrNew(path string) (*Config, error) {
+	file, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err != nil {
+		return New(), fmt.Errorf("failed to load vcluster configuration file from %s, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	stat, err := file.Stat()
+	if err != nil {
+		return New(), fmt.Errorf("failed to load vcluster configuration file from %s, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
+	}
+	if stat.IsDir() {
+		return New(), fmt.Errorf("failed to load vcluster configuration file %s, falling back to default configuration, this path is a directory", path)
+	}
+	defer file.Close()
+
+	bytes, err := io.ReadAll(file)
+	if err != nil {
+		return New(), err
+	}
+
+	c := &Config{}
+	err = json.Unmarshal(bytes, &c)
+	if err != nil {
+		return New(), fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshall vcluster configuration from %s file, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
+	}
+
+	return c, nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cli/config/types.go b/pkg/cli/config/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..025890d7b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/cli/config/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/manager"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
+)
+
+type Config struct {
+	TelemetryDisabled bool           `json:"telemetryDisabled,omitempty"`
+	Platform          PlatformConfig `json:"platform,omitempty"`
+	Manager           ManagerConfig  `json:"manager,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// PlatformConfig defines the platform client config structure
+type PlatformConfig struct {
+	platform.Config `json:",inline"`
+}
+
+type ManagerConfig struct {
+	// Type is the current manager type that is used, either helm or platform
+	Type manager.Type `json:"type,omitempty"`
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cli/connect_platform.go b/pkg/cli/connect_platform.go
index 3c6454ddbc..fea9a8103b 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/connect_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/connect_platform.go
@@ -23,12 +23,7 @@ type connectPlatform struct {
 	log log.Logger
 }
 
-func ConnectPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ConnectOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, command []string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func ConnectPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ConnectOptions, platformClient platform.Client, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, command []string, log log.Logger) error {
 	// retrieve the vcluster
 	vCluster, err := find.GetPlatformVCluster(ctx, platformClient, vClusterName, options.Project, log)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/cli/create_helm.go b/pkg/cli/create_helm.go
index a6bd3ca671..f678df4065 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/create_helm.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/create_helm.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log/terminal"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/config/legacyconfig"
+	cliconfig "github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/find"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/localkubernetes"
@@ -28,7 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/telemetry"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/upgrade"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/clihelper"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/helmdownloader"
 	"golang.org/x/mod/semver"
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ type createHelm struct {
 	localCluster     bool
 }
 
-func CreateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
+func CreateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, platformConfig *platform.Config, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	cmd := &createHelm{
 		GlobalFlags:   globalFlags,
 		CreateOptions: options,
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ func CreateHelm(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, globalFlags *flags.
 
 	// create platform secret
 	if cmd.Activate {
-		err = cmd.activateVCluster(ctx, vClusterConfig)
+		err = cmd.activateVCluster(ctx, platformConfig, vClusterConfig)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -323,22 +323,22 @@ func (cmd *createHelm) parseVClusterYAML(chartValues string) (*config.Config, er
 	return vClusterConfig, nil
 }
 
-func (cmd *createHelm) activateVCluster(ctx context.Context, vClusterConfig *config.Config) error {
+func (cmd *createHelm) activateVCluster(ctx context.Context, platformConfig *platform.Config, vClusterConfig *config.Config) error {
 	if vClusterConfig.Platform.API.AccessKey != "" || vClusterConfig.Platform.API.SecretRef.Name != "" {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, *platformConfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		if vClusterConfig.IsProFeatureEnabled() {
-			return fmt.Errorf("you have vCluster pro features activated, but seems like you are not logged in (%w). Please make sure to log into vCluster Platform to use vCluster pro features or run this command with --activate=false", err)
+			return fmt.Errorf("using vCluster Pro features requires the CLI to be logged into a vCluster Platform. If your CLI for some reason can't login but you already have a Platform set up, add the flag --activate=false to bypass this check: %w", err)
 		}
 
 		cmd.log.Debugf("create platform client: %v", err)
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	err = platformClient.ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx, cmd.kubeClient, "", cmd.Namespace, cmd.Project)
+	err = platformClient.ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx, platformConfig, cmd.kubeClient, "", cmd.Namespace, cmd.Project)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("apply platform secret: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -492,9 +492,9 @@ func (cmd *createHelm) ToChartOptions(kubernetesVersion *version.Info, log log.L
 			Major: kubernetesVersion.Major,
 			Minor: kubernetesVersion.Minor,
 		},
-		DisableTelemetry:    cliconfig.GetConfig(log).TelemetryDisabled,
+		DisableTelemetry:    cliconfig.Read(cmd.Config, log).TelemetryDisabled,
 		InstanceCreatorType: "vclusterctl",
-		MachineID:           telemetry.GetMachineID(log),
+		MachineID:           telemetry.GetMachineID(cmd.Config, log),
 	}, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/cli/create_platform.go b/pkg/cli/create_platform.go
index 5b484083ac..a160abb027 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/create_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/create_platform.go
@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@ import (
 	storagev1 "github.com/loft-sh/api/v4/pkg/apis/storage/v1"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/cmd/loftctl/cmd/create"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/client/helper"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/client/naming"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/config"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/projectutil"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/vcluster"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
 	vclusterconfig "github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/config"
+	cliconfig "github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/constants"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
@@ -27,7 +28,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/telemetry"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/upgrade"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
 	"golang.org/x/mod/semver"
 	kerrors "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
@@ -35,19 +35,15 @@ import (
 	"sigs.k8s.io/controller-runtime/pkg/client"
 )
 
-func CreatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, virtualClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func CreatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, platformClient platform.Client, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, virtualClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	// determine project & cluster name
+	var err error
 	options.Cluster, options.Project, err = helper.SelectProjectOrCluster(ctx, platformClient, options.Cluster, options.Project, false, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	virtualClusterNamespace := naming.ProjectNamespace(options.Project)
+	virtualClusterNamespace := projectutil.ProjectNamespace((options.Project))
 	managementClient, err := platformClient.Management()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -112,13 +108,13 @@ func CreatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, globalFlags *fl
 	} else {
 		if virtualClusterInstance == nil {
 			// create without template
-			virtualClusterInstance, err = createWithoutTemplate(ctx, platformClient, options, virtualClusterName, globalFlags.Namespace, log)
+			virtualClusterInstance, err = createWithoutTemplate(ctx, globalFlags.Config, platformClient, options, virtualClusterName, globalFlags.Namespace, log)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 		} else {
 			// upgrade via template
-			virtualClusterInstance, err = upgradeWithoutTemplate(ctx, platformClient, options, virtualClusterInstance, log)
+			virtualClusterInstance, err = upgradeWithoutTemplate(ctx, globalFlags.Config, platformClient, options, virtualClusterInstance, log)
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -139,21 +135,21 @@ func CreatePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *CreateOptions, globalFlags *fl
 			KubeConfigContextName: options.KubeConfigContextName,
 			KubeConfig:            "./kubeconfig.yaml",
 			Project:               options.Project,
-		}, globalFlags, virtualClusterName, nil, log)
+		}, platformClient, globalFlags, virtualClusterName, nil, log)
 	}
 
 	log.Donef("Successfully created virtual cluster %s in project %s. \n- Use 'vcluster connect %s --project %s' to access the virtual cluster\n- Use `vcluster connect %s --project %s -- kubectl get ns` to run a command directly within the vcluster", virtualClusterName, options.Project, virtualClusterName, options.Project, virtualClusterName, options.Project)
 	return nil
 }
 
-func createWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, virtualClusterName, targetNamespace string, log log.Logger) (*managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, error) {
+func createWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, configPath string, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, virtualClusterName, targetNamespace string, log log.Logger) (*managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, error) {
 	err := validateNoTemplateOptions(options)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// merge values
-	helmValues, err := mergeValues(platformClient, options, log)
+	helmValues, err := mergeValues(configPath, platformClient, options, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -162,7 +158,7 @@ func createWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, platformClient platform.Client,
 	zone, offset := time.Now().Zone()
 	virtualClusterInstance := &managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Namespace: naming.ProjectNamespace(options.Project),
+			Namespace: projectutil.ProjectNamespace((options.Project)),
 			Name:      virtualClusterName,
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
 				clusterv1.SleepModeTimezoneAnnotation: zone + "#" + strconv.Itoa(offset),
@@ -227,14 +223,14 @@ func createWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, platformClient platform.Client,
 	return virtualClusterInstance, nil
 }
 
-func upgradeWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, virtualClusterInstance *managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, log log.Logger) (*managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, error) {
+func upgradeWithoutTemplate(ctx context.Context, configPath string, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, virtualClusterInstance *managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, log log.Logger) (*managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance, error) {
 	err := validateNoTemplateOptions(options)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	// merge values
-	helmValues, err := mergeValues(platformClient, options, log)
+	helmValues, err := mergeValues(configPath, platformClient, options, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -357,7 +353,7 @@ func createWithTemplate(ctx context.Context, platformClient platform.Client, opt
 	zone, offset := time.Now().Zone()
 	virtualClusterInstance := &managementv1.VirtualClusterInstance{
 		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Namespace: naming.ProjectNamespace(options.Project),
+			Namespace: projectutil.ProjectNamespace((options.Project)),
 			Name:      virtualClusterName,
 			Annotations: map[string]string{
 				clusterv1.SleepModeTimezoneAnnotation: zone + "#" + strconv.Itoa(offset),
@@ -526,9 +522,9 @@ func validateTemplateOptions(options *CreateOptions) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func mergeValues(platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, log log.Logger) (string, error) {
+func mergeValues(configPath string, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, log log.Logger) (string, error) {
 	// merge values
-	chartOptions, err := toChartOptions(platformClient, options, log)
+	chartOptions, err := toChartOptions(configPath, platformClient, options, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", err
 	}
@@ -589,7 +585,7 @@ func parseString(str string) (map[string]interface{}, error) {
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-func toChartOptions(platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, log log.Logger) (*vclusterconfig.ExtraValuesOptions, error) {
+func toChartOptions(configPath string, platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, log log.Logger) (*vclusterconfig.ExtraValuesOptions, error) {
 	if !util.Contains(options.Distro, AllowedDistros) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unsupported distro %s, please select one of: %s", options.Distro, strings.Join(AllowedDistros, ", "))
 	}
@@ -627,10 +623,10 @@ func toChartOptions(platformClient platform.Client, options *CreateOptions, log
 		Distro:              options.Distro,
 		Expose:              options.Expose,
 		KubernetesVersion:   kubernetesVersion,
-		DisableTelemetry:    cliconfig.GetConfig(log).TelemetryDisabled,
+		DisableTelemetry:    cliconfig.Read(configPath, log).TelemetryDisabled,
 		InstanceCreatorType: "vclusterctl",
-		PlatformInstanceID:  telemetry.GetPlatformInstanceID(platformClient.Self()),
-		PlatformUserID:      telemetry.GetPlatformUserID(platformClient.Self()),
-		MachineID:           telemetry.GetMachineID(log),
+		PlatformInstanceID:  telemetry.GetPlatformInstanceID(configPath, platformClient.Self()),
+		PlatformUserID:      telemetry.GetPlatformUserID(configPath, platformClient.Self()),
+		MachineID:           telemetry.GetMachineID(configPath, log),
 	}, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/cli/delete_helm.go b/pkg/cli/delete_helm.go
index 08eefc5f08..bcc2ecbf11 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/delete_helm.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/delete_helm.go
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ type deleteHelm struct {
 	log log.Logger
 }
 
-func DeleteHelm(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
+func DeleteHelm(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, platformConfig platform.Config, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	cmd := deleteHelm{
 		GlobalFlags:   globalFlags,
 		DeleteOptions: options,
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ func DeleteHelm(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, globalFlags *flags.
 
 	// try to delete the vCluster in the platform
 	if vClusterService != nil {
-		err = cmd.deleteVClusterInPlatform(ctx, vClusterService)
+		err = cmd.deleteVClusterInPlatform(ctx, platformConfig, vClusterService)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -228,13 +228,12 @@ func DeleteHelm(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, globalFlags *flags.
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (cmd *deleteHelm) deleteVClusterInPlatform(ctx context.Context, vClusterService *corev1.Service) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+func (cmd *deleteHelm) deleteVClusterInPlatform(ctx context.Context, platformConfig platform.Config, vClusterService *corev1.Service) error {
+	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, platformConfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		cmd.log.Debugf("Error creating platform client: %v", err)
 		return nil
 	}
-
 	managementClient, err := platformClient.Management()
 	if err != nil {
 		cmd.log.Debugf("Error creating management client: %v", err)
diff --git a/pkg/cli/delete_platform.go b/pkg/cli/delete_platform.go
index a52dd04777..802b66bcff 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/delete_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/delete_platform.go
@@ -13,12 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/client-go/tools/clientcmd"
 )
 
-func DeletePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func DeletePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *DeleteOptions, platformClient platform.Client, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	// retrieve the vcluster
 	vCluster, err := find.GetPlatformVCluster(ctx, platformClient, vClusterName, options.Project, log)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/cli/flags/flags.go b/pkg/cli/flags/flags.go
index 0c218f8d66..8adde6ff39 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/flags/flags.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/flags/flags.go
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 package flags
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	loftctlflags "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/cmd/loftctl/flags"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
+
 	flag "github.com/spf13/pflag"
 )
 
@@ -15,10 +21,16 @@ type GlobalFlags struct {
 }
 
 // SetGlobalFlags applies the global flags
-func SetGlobalFlags(flags *flag.FlagSet) *GlobalFlags {
+func SetGlobalFlags(flags *flag.FlagSet, log log.Logger) *GlobalFlags {
 	globalFlags := &GlobalFlags{}
 
+	defaultConfigPath, err := config.DefaultConfigFilePath()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Fatalf("failed to get vcluster configuration file path: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	flags.BoolVar(&globalFlags.Debug, "debug", false, "Prints the stack trace if an error occurs")
+	flags.StringVar(&globalFlags.Config, "config", defaultConfigPath, "The vcluster CLI config to use (will be created if it does not exist)")
 	flags.StringVar(&globalFlags.Context, "context", "", "The kubernetes config context to use")
 	flags.StringVarP(&globalFlags.Namespace, "namespace", "n", "", "The kubernetes namespace to use")
 	flags.BoolVarP(&globalFlags.Silent, "silent", "s", false, "Run in silent mode and prevents any vcluster log output except panics & fatals")
@@ -26,3 +38,24 @@ func SetGlobalFlags(flags *flag.FlagSet) *GlobalFlags {
 
 	return globalFlags
 }
+
+// LoftctlGlobalFlags converts vcluster global flags to vcluster pro global flags
+func LoftctlGlobalFlags(globalFlags *GlobalFlags) (*loftctlflags.GlobalFlags, error) {
+	loftctlGlobalFlags := &loftctlflags.GlobalFlags{
+		Silent:    globalFlags.Silent,
+		Debug:     globalFlags.Debug,
+		LogOutput: globalFlags.LogOutput,
+	}
+
+	if globalFlags.Config != "" {
+		loftctlGlobalFlags.Config = globalFlags.Config
+	} else {
+		var err error
+		loftctlGlobalFlags.Config, err = config.DefaultConfigFilePath()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get vcluster pro configuration file path: %w", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return loftctlGlobalFlags, nil
+}
diff --git a/pkg/cli/list_helm.go b/pkg/cli/list_helm.go
index 975d29b510..83470266dd 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/list_helm.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/list_helm.go
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ type ListOptions struct {
 	Output string
 }
 
-func ListHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, log log.Logger) error {
+func ListHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, platformConfig platform.Config, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, log log.Logger) error {
 	rawConfig, err := clientcmd.NewNonInteractiveDeferredLoadingClientConfig(clientcmd.NewDefaultClientConfigLoadingRules(), &clientcmd.ConfigOverrides{}).RawConfig()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func ListHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.Glob
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = printVClusters(ctx, options, ossToVClusters(vClusters, currentContext), globalFlags, true, log)
+	err = printVClusters(ctx, options, platformConfig, ossToVClusters(vClusters, currentContext), globalFlags, true, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func ListHelm(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.Glob
 	return nil
 }
 
-func printVClusters(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, output []ListVCluster, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, showPlatform bool, logger log.Logger) error {
+func printVClusters(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, platformConfig platform.Config, output []ListVCluster, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, showPlatform bool, logger log.Logger) error {
 	if options.Output == "json" {
 		bytes, err := json.MarshalIndent(output, "", "    ")
 		if err != nil {
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func printVClusters(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, output []ListVClu
 
 		// show use manager command
 		if showPlatform {
-			platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+			platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, platformConfig)
 			if err == nil {
 				ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 2*time.Second)
 				defer cancel()
diff --git a/pkg/cli/list_platform.go b/pkg/cli/list_platform.go
index b5b5ce7560..c45b9f4f73 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/list_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/list_platform.go
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/client-go/tools/clientcmd"
 )
 
-func ListPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, logger log.Logger) error {
+func ListPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, platformConfig platform.Config, globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags, logger log.Logger) error {
 	rawConfig, err := clientcmd.NewNonInteractiveDeferredLoadingClientConfig(clientcmd.NewDefaultClientConfigLoadingRules(), &clientcmd.ConfigOverrides{}).RawConfig()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func ListPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.
 		globalFlags.Context = currentContext
 	}
 
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
+	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient(ctx, platformConfig)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func ListPlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ListOptions, globalFlags *flags.
 		return err
 	}
 
-	err = printVClusters(ctx, options, proToVClusters(proVClusters, currentContext), globalFlags, false, logger)
+	err = printVClusters(ctx, options, platformConfig, proToVClusters(proVClusters, currentContext), globalFlags, false, logger)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/cli/pause_platform.go b/pkg/cli/pause_platform.go
index e356c6b43a..4475ee3d5c 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/pause_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/pause_platform.go
@@ -16,12 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/wait"
 )
 
-func PausePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *PauseOptions, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func PausePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *PauseOptions, platformClient platform.Client, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	vCluster, err := find.GetPlatformVCluster(ctx, platformClient, vClusterName, options.Project, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/pkg/cli/resume_platform.go b/pkg/cli/resume_platform.go
index a3852d9b84..b88351c8c5 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/resume_platform.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/resume_platform.go
@@ -10,12 +10,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/platform"
 )
 
-func ResumePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ResumeOptions, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
-	platformClient, err := platform.CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
+func ResumePlatform(ctx context.Context, options *ResumeOptions, platformClient platform.Client, vClusterName string, log log.Logger) error {
 	vCluster, err := find.GetPlatformVCluster(ctx, platformClient, vClusterName, options.Project, log)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/pkg/manager/types.go b/pkg/manager/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97bd24a0c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/manager/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+package manager
+
+const (
+	Helm     Type = "helm"
+	Platform Type = "platform"
+)
+
+type Type string
diff --git a/pkg/platform/client.go b/pkg/platform/client.go
index b690652be5..9d656639b0 100644
--- a/pkg/platform/client.go
+++ b/pkg/platform/client.go
@@ -4,15 +4,14 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"sync"
 
 	managementv1 "github.com/loft-sh/api/v4/pkg/apis/management/v1"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/api/v4/pkg/client/clientset_generated/clientset/scheme"
 	loftclient "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/client"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/client/naming"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/kube"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/pkg/projectutil"
 	kerrors "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes"
@@ -26,7 +25,7 @@ type Client interface {
 	loftclient.Client
 
 	Self() *managementv1.Self
-	ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx context.Context, kubeClient kubernetes.Interface, name, namespace, project string) error
+	ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx context.Context, config *Config, kubeClient kubernetes.Interface, name, namespace, project string) error
 	ListVClusters(ctx context.Context, virtualClusterName, projectName string) ([]VirtualClusterInstanceProject, error)
 }
 
@@ -37,19 +36,31 @@ type VirtualClusterInstanceProject struct {
 
 var ErrConfigNotFound = errors.New("couldn't find vCluster platform config")
 
-func CreatePlatformClient() (Client, error) {
-	configPath, err := ConfigFilePath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
+func CreatePlatformClient(ctx context.Context, c Config) (Client, error) {
+	// TODO: as long as we have the loftctctl dependency, translate the platform config to a loftclient config.
+	cfg := &loftclient.Config{
+		TypeMeta:                              c.TypeMeta,
+		Host:                                  c.Host,
+		LastInstallContext:                    c.LastInstallContext,
+		Insecure:                              c.Insecure,
+		AccessKey:                             c.AccessKey,
+		VirtualClusterAccessKey:               c.VirtualClusterAccessKey,
+		DirectClusterEndpointToken:            c.DirectClusterEndpointToken,
+		DirectClusterEndpointTokenRequested:   c.DirectClusterEndpointTokenRequested,
+		VirtualClusterAccessPointCertificates: make(map[string]loftclient.VirtualClusterCertificatesEntry),
 	}
 
-	_, err = os.Stat(configPath)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%w: please make sure to run 'vcluster login' to connect to an existing instance or 'vcluster platform start' to deploy a new instance", ErrConfigNotFound)
+	for k, v := range c.VirtualClusterAccessPointCertificates {
+		cfg.VirtualClusterAccessPointCertificates[k] = loftclient.VirtualClusterCertificatesEntry{
+			CertificateData: v.CertificateData,
+			KeyData:         v.KeyData,
+			LastRequested:   v.LastRequested,
+			ExpirationTime:  v.ExpirationTime,
+		}
 	}
 
-	platformClient, err := loftclient.NewClientFromPath(configPath)
-	if err != nil {
+	platformClient := loftclient.NewClientFromConfig(cfg)
+	if err := platformClient.RefreshSelf(ctx); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -148,7 +159,7 @@ func getProjectVirtualClusterInstance(ctx context.Context, managementClient kube
 	err := managementClient.Loft().ManagementV1().RESTClient().
 		Get().
 		Resource("virtualclusterinstances").
-		Namespace(naming.ProjectNamespace(project.Name)).
+		Namespace(projectutil.ProjectNamespace(project.Name)).
 		Name(virtualClusterName).
 		VersionedParams(&metav1.GetOptions{}, scheme.ParameterCodec).
 		Param("extended", "true").
@@ -173,7 +184,7 @@ func getProjectVirtualClusterInstances(ctx context.Context, managementClient kub
 	err := managementClient.Loft().ManagementV1().RESTClient().
 		Get().
 		Resource("virtualclusterinstances").
-		Namespace(naming.ProjectNamespace(project.Name)).
+		Namespace(projectutil.ProjectNamespace(project.Name)).
 		VersionedParams(&metav1.ListOptions{}, scheme.ParameterCodec).
 		Param("extended", "true").
 		Do(ctx).
diff --git a/pkg/platform/config.go b/pkg/platform/config.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 27a665fb0d..0000000000
--- a/pkg/platform/config.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,121 +0,0 @@
-package platform
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-
-	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/constants"
-	homedir "github.com/mitchellh/go-homedir"
-)
-
-const (
-	VClusterProFolder = "pro"
-)
-
-// ConfigFilePath returns the path to the loft config file
-func ConfigFilePath() (string, error) {
-	home, err := homedir.Dir()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to open vCluster platform configuration file, unable to detect $HOME directory, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return filepath.Join(home, constants.VClusterFolder, VClusterProFolder, constants.ConfigFileName), nil
-}
-
-func managerFilePath() (string, error) {
-	home, err := homedir.Dir()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to open vCluster platform manager file, unable to detect $HOME directory, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return filepath.Join(home, constants.VClusterFolder, VClusterProFolder, constants.ManagerFileName), nil
-}
-
-func PrintManagerInfo(verb string, manager ManagerType, log log.Logger) {
-	// only print this to stderr
-	log = log.ErrorStreamOnly()
-
-	// check if there is a platform client or we skip the info message
-	_, err := CreatePlatformClient()
-	if err == nil {
-		if manager == ManagerHelm {
-			log.Infof("Using vCluster manager 'helm' to %s your virtual clusters, which means the vCluster CLI is running helm commands directly", verb)
-			log.Info("If you prefer to use the vCluster platform API instead, use the flag '--manager platform' or run 'vcluster use manager platform' to change the default")
-		} else {
-			log.Infof("Using vCluster manager 'platform' to %s your virtual clusters, which means the CLI is using the vCluster platform API instead of helm", verb)
-			log.Info("If you prefer to use helm instead, use the flag '--manager helm' or run 'vcluster use manager helm' to change the default")
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-func GetManager(manager string) (ManagerType, error) {
-	if manager != "" {
-		if manager != string(ManagerPlatform) && manager != string(ManagerHelm) {
-			return "", fmt.Errorf("unknown manager: %s, please choose either helm or platform", manager)
-		}
-
-		return ManagerType(manager), nil
-	}
-
-	managerFile, err := LoadManagerFile()
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	} else if managerFile.Manager == "" {
-		return ManagerHelm, nil
-	}
-
-	return managerFile.Manager, nil
-}
-
-func LoadManagerFile() (*ManagerConfig, error) {
-	managerFile, err := managerFilePath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("get manager file path: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	_, err = os.Stat(managerFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		// couldn't find manager file, so just return an empty manager config
-		return &ManagerConfig{}, nil
-	}
-
-	rawBytes, err := os.ReadFile(managerFile)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error reading vCluster platform manager file: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	managerConfig := &ManagerConfig{}
-	err = json.Unmarshal(rawBytes, managerConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing vCluster platform manager file: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return managerConfig, nil
-}
-
-func SaveManagerFile(managerConfig *ManagerConfig) error {
-	managerFile, err := managerFilePath()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("get manager file path: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	rawBytes, err := json.Marshal(managerConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("marshal manager config: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(managerFile), 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("create manager dir: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	err = os.WriteFile(managerFile, rawBytes, 0644)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("error saving manager config: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/pkg/platform/flags.go b/pkg/platform/flags.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 1fd5b990f2..0000000000
--- a/pkg/platform/flags.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-package platform
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-
-	loftctlflags "github.com/loft-sh/loftctl/v4/cmd/loftctl/flags"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/flags"
-)
-
-// GlobalFlags converts vcluster global flags to vcluster pro global flags
-func GlobalFlags(globalFlags *flags.GlobalFlags) (*loftctlflags.GlobalFlags, error) {
-	loftctlGlobalFlags := &loftctlflags.GlobalFlags{
-		Silent:    globalFlags.Silent,
-		Debug:     globalFlags.Debug,
-		LogOutput: globalFlags.LogOutput,
-	}
-
-	if globalFlags.Config != "" {
-		loftctlGlobalFlags.Config = globalFlags.Config
-	} else {
-		var err error
-		loftctlGlobalFlags.Config, err = ConfigFilePath()
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to get vcluster pro configuration file path: %w", err)
-		}
-	}
-
-	return loftctlGlobalFlags, nil
-}
diff --git a/pkg/platform/secret.go b/pkg/platform/secret.go
index 4fa339c2ce..95d6da0598 100644
--- a/pkg/platform/secret.go
+++ b/pkg/platform/secret.go
@@ -19,28 +19,28 @@ import (
 
 const DefaultPlatformSecretName = "vcluster-platform-api-key"
 
-func (c *client) ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx context.Context, kubeClient kubernetes.Interface, importName, namespace, project string) error {
+func (c *client) ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx context.Context, config *Config, kubeClient kubernetes.Interface, importName, namespace, project string) error {
 	managementClient, err := c.Management()
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("create management client: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	// is the access key still valid?
-	if c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey != "" {
+	if config.VirtualClusterAccessKey != "" {
 		selfCtx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(ctx, 1*time.Minute)
 		self, err := managementClient.Loft().ManagementV1().Selves().Create(selfCtx, &managementv1.Self{
 			Spec: managementv1.SelfSpec{
-				AccessKey: c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey,
+				AccessKey: config.VirtualClusterAccessKey,
 			},
 		}, metav1.CreateOptions{})
 		cancel()
 		if err != nil || self.Status.Subject != c.self.Status.Subject {
-			c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey = ""
+			config.VirtualClusterAccessKey = ""
 		}
 	}
 
 	// check if we need to create a virtual cluster access key
-	if c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey == "" {
+	if config.VirtualClusterAccessKey == "" {
 		user := ""
 		team := ""
 		if c.self.Status.User != nil {
@@ -70,18 +70,14 @@ func (c *client) ApplyPlatformSecret(ctx context.Context, kubeClient kubernetes.
 			return fmt.Errorf("create owned access key: %w", err)
 		}
 
-		c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey = accessKey.Spec.Key
-		err = c.Save()
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("save vCluster platform config: %w", err)
-		}
+		config.VirtualClusterAccessKey = accessKey.Spec.Key
 	}
 
 	// build secret payload
 	payload := map[string][]byte{
-		"accessKey": []byte(c.Config().VirtualClusterAccessKey),
-		"host":      []byte(strings.TrimPrefix(c.Config().Host, "https://")),
-		"insecure":  []byte(strconv.FormatBool(c.Config().Insecure)),
+		"accessKey": []byte(config.VirtualClusterAccessKey),
+		"host":      []byte(strings.TrimPrefix(config.Host, "https://")),
+		"insecure":  []byte(strconv.FormatBool(config.Insecure)),
 	}
 	if project != "" {
 		payload["project"] = []byte(project)
diff --git a/pkg/platform/types.go b/pkg/platform/types.go
index 1996cf768c..d7865b6628 100644
--- a/pkg/platform/types.go
+++ b/pkg/platform/types.go
@@ -1,12 +1,74 @@
 package platform
 
-type ManagerType string
+import (
+	"time"
+
+	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
+)
 
 const (
 	ManagerHelm     ManagerType = "helm"
 	ManagerPlatform ManagerType = "platform"
 )
 
+// Config defines the client config structure
+type Config struct {
+	metav1.TypeMeta `json:",inline"`
+
+	// host is the http endpoint of how to access loft
+	// +optional
+	Host string `json:"host,omitempty"`
+
+	// LastInstallContext is the last install context
+	// +optional
+	LastInstallContext string `json:"lastInstallContext,omitempty"`
+
+	// insecure specifies if the loft instance is insecure
+	// +optional
+	Insecure bool `json:"insecure,omitempty"`
+
+	// access key is the access key for the given loft host
+	// +optional
+	AccessKey string `json:"accesskey,omitempty"`
+
+	// virtual cluster access key is the access key for the given loft host to create virtual clusters
+	// +optional
+	VirtualClusterAccessKey string `json:"virtualClusterAccessKey,omitempty"`
+
+	// DEPRECATED: do not use anymore
+	// the direct cluster endpoint token
+	// +optional
+	DirectClusterEndpointToken string `json:"directClusterEndpointToken,omitempty"`
+
+	// DEPRECATED: do not use anymore
+	// last time the direct cluster endpoint token was requested
+	// +optional
+	DirectClusterEndpointTokenRequested *metav1.Time `json:"directClusterEndpointTokenRequested,omitempty"`
+
+	// map of cached certificates for "access point" mode virtual clusters
+	// +optional
+	VirtualClusterAccessPointCertificates map[string]VirtualClusterCertificatesEntry
+}
+
+type VirtualClusterCertificatesEntry struct {
+	CertificateData string
+	KeyData         string
+	LastRequested   metav1.Time
+	ExpirationTime  time.Time
+}
+
+// NewConfig creates a new config
+func NewConfig() *Config {
+	return &Config{
+		TypeMeta: metav1.TypeMeta{
+			Kind:       "Config",
+			APIVersion: "storage.loft.sh/v1",
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+type ManagerType string
+
 type ManagerConfig struct {
 	// Manager is the current manager that is used, either helm or platform
 	Manager ManagerType `json:"manager,omitempty"`
diff --git a/pkg/telemetry/collect_cli.go b/pkg/telemetry/collect_cli.go
index 42840d4f90..4ce208446b 100644
--- a/pkg/telemetry/collect_cli.go
+++ b/pkg/telemetry/collect_cli.go
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/loft-sh/analytics-client/client"
 	managementv1 "github.com/loft-sh/api/v4/pkg/apis/management/v1"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/upgrade"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/loghelper"
 )
 
@@ -26,15 +26,15 @@ const (
 var CollectorCLI CLICollector = &noopCollector{}
 
 type CLICollector interface {
-	RecordCLI(self *managementv1.Self, err error)
+	RecordCLI(configPath string, self *managementv1.Self, err error)
 
 	// Flush makes sure all events are sent to the backend
 	Flush()
 }
 
 // StartCLI starts collecting events and sending them to the backend from the CLI
-func StartCLI() {
-	cliConfig := cliconfig.GetConfig(log.Discard)
+func StartCLI(configPath string) {
+	cliConfig := config.Read(configPath, log.Discard)
 
 	// if disabled, we return noop collector
 	if cliConfig.TelemetryDisabled || upgrade.GetVersion() == upgrade.DevelopmentVersion {
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func (d *cliCollector) Flush() {
 	d.analyticsClient.Flush()
 }
 
-func (d *cliCollector) RecordCLI(self *managementv1.Self, err error) {
+func (d *cliCollector) RecordCLI(configPath string, self *managementv1.Self, err error) {
 	timezone, _ := time.Now().Zone()
 	eventProperties := map[string]interface{}{
 		"command": os.Args,
@@ -91,16 +91,16 @@ func (d *cliCollector) RecordCLI(self *managementv1.Self, err error) {
 	d.analyticsClient.RecordEvent(client.Event{
 		"event": {
 			"type":                 "vcluster_cli",
-			"platform_user_id":     GetPlatformUserID(self),
-			"platform_instance_id": GetPlatformInstanceID(self),
-			"machine_id":           GetMachineID(log.Discard),
+			"platform_user_id":     GetPlatformUserID(configPath, self),
+			"platform_instance_id": GetPlatformInstanceID(configPath, self),
+			"machine_id":           GetMachineID(configPath, log.Discard),
 			"properties":           string(eventPropertiesRaw),
 			"timestamp":            time.Now().Unix(),
 		},
 		"user": {
-			"platform_user_id":     GetPlatformUserID(self),
-			"platform_instance_id": GetPlatformInstanceID(self),
-			"machine_id":           GetMachineID(log.Discard),
+			"platform_user_id":     GetPlatformUserID(configPath, self),
+			"platform_instance_id": GetPlatformInstanceID(configPath, self),
+			"machine_id":           GetMachineID(configPath, log.Discard),
 			"properties":           string(userPropertiesRaw),
 			"timestamp":            time.Now().Unix(),
 		},
diff --git a/pkg/telemetry/helpers.go b/pkg/telemetry/helpers.go
index d082648556..fa67e021ab 100644
--- a/pkg/telemetry/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/telemetry/helpers.go
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/denisbrodbeck/machineid"
 	managementv1 "github.com/loft-sh/api/v4/pkg/apis/management/v1"
 	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/util/cliconfig"
+	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/cli/config"
 	homedir "github.com/mitchellh/go-homedir"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/version"
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ func toKubernetesVersion(vi *version.Info) *KubernetesVersion {
 }
 
 // GetPlatformUserID returns the loft instance id
-func GetPlatformUserID(self *managementv1.Self) string {
-	if cliconfig.GetConfig(log.Discard).TelemetryDisabled || self == nil {
+func GetPlatformUserID(configPath string, self *managementv1.Self) string {
+	if config.Read(configPath, log.Discard).TelemetryDisabled || self == nil {
 		return ""
 	}
 	platformID := self.Status.Subject
@@ -87,8 +87,8 @@ func GetPlatformUserID(self *managementv1.Self) string {
 }
 
 // GetPlatformInstanceID returns the loft instance id
-func GetPlatformInstanceID(self *managementv1.Self) string {
-	if cliconfig.GetConfig(log.Discard).TelemetryDisabled || self == nil {
+func GetPlatformInstanceID(configPath string, self *managementv1.Self) string {
+	if config.Read(configPath, log.Discard).TelemetryDisabled || self == nil {
 		return ""
 	}
 
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ func GetPlatformInstanceID(self *managementv1.Self) string {
 
 // GetMachineID retrieves machine ID and encodes it together with users $HOME path and
 // extra key to protect privacy. Returns a hex-encoded string.
-func GetMachineID(log log.Logger) string {
-	if cliconfig.GetConfig(log).TelemetryDisabled {
+func GetMachineID(configPath string, log log.Logger) string {
+	if config.Read(configPath, log).TelemetryDisabled {
 		return ""
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/telemetry/noop.go b/pkg/telemetry/noop.go
index 207108345e..d99335e70a 100644
--- a/pkg/telemetry/noop.go
+++ b/pkg/telemetry/noop.go
@@ -19,4 +19,4 @@ func (n *noopCollector) Flush() {}
 
 func (n *noopCollector) SetVirtualClient(_ kubernetes.Interface) {}
 
-func (n *noopCollector) RecordCLI(_ *managementv1.Self, _ error) {}
+func (n *noopCollector) RecordCLI(_ string, _ *managementv1.Self, _ error) {}
diff --git a/pkg/util/cliconfig/config.go b/pkg/util/cliconfig/config.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 9e83c6fbd2..0000000000
--- a/pkg/util/cliconfig/config.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,107 +0,0 @@
-package cliconfig
-
-import (
-	"encoding/json"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"os"
-	"path/filepath"
-	"sync"
-
-	"github.com/loft-sh/log"
-	"github.com/loft-sh/vcluster/pkg/constants"
-	homedir "github.com/mitchellh/go-homedir"
-)
-
-var (
-	singleConfig     *CLIConfig
-	singleConfigOnce sync.Once
-)
-
-type CLIConfig struct {
-	TelemetryDisabled bool `json:"telemetryDisabled,omitempty"`
-}
-
-func getDefaultCLIConfig() *CLIConfig {
-	return &CLIConfig{
-		TelemetryDisabled: false,
-	}
-}
-
-func getConfigFilePath(home string) string {
-	return filepath.Join(home, constants.VClusterFolder, constants.ConfigFileName)
-}
-
-func GetConfig(log log.Logger) *CLIConfig {
-	singleConfigOnce.Do(func() {
-		var err error
-		singleConfig, err = getConfig()
-		if err != nil && log != nil {
-			log.Debugf("Failed to load local configuration file: %v", err.Error())
-		}
-
-		// set default if nil
-		if singleConfig == nil {
-			singleConfig = getDefaultCLIConfig()
-		}
-	})
-
-	return singleConfig
-}
-
-func getConfig() (*CLIConfig, error) {
-	home, err := homedir.Dir()
-	if err != nil {
-		return getDefaultCLIConfig(), fmt.Errorf("failed to open vcluster configuration file from, unable to detect $HOME directory, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	path := getConfigFilePath(home)
-	// check if the file exists
-	fi, err := os.Stat(path)
-	if err != nil {
-		if os.IsNotExist(err) {
-			return getDefaultCLIConfig(), nil
-		}
-		return getDefaultCLIConfig(), fmt.Errorf("failed to load vcluster configuration file from %s, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
-	}
-	if fi.IsDir() {
-		return getDefaultCLIConfig(), fmt.Errorf("failed to load vcluster configuration file %s, falling back to default configuration, this path is a directory", path)
-	}
-	file, err := os.Open(path)
-	if err != nil {
-		return getDefaultCLIConfig(), fmt.Errorf("failed to open vcluster configuration file from %s, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
-	}
-	defer file.Close()
-	bytes, _ := io.ReadAll(file)
-	c := &CLIConfig{}
-	err = json.Unmarshal(bytes, &c)
-	if err != nil {
-		return getDefaultCLIConfig(), fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshall vcluster configuration from %s file, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", path, err)
-	}
-	return c, nil
-}
-
-func WriteConfig(c *CLIConfig) error {
-	home, err := homedir.Dir()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write vcluster configuration file from, unable to detect $HOME directory, falling back to default configuration, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-	path := getConfigFilePath(home)
-
-	err = os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(path), 0755)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create directory for configuration file, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	data, err := json.Marshal(c)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to transform config into JSON format, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	err = os.WriteFile(path, data, 0644)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to write configuration file, following error occurred: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}