Kubernetes Cheatsheet
Kubernetes kubectl Command Reference
This Kubernetes cheatsheet provides essential kubectl commands for DevOps engineers to efficiently manage containerized applications. It covers common tasks like setting contexts, retrieving resource information, inspecting pods, and viewing logs.
Managing Kubernetes Contexts
Easily switch between Kubernetes clusters and namespaces using kubectl config commands. While tools like kubectx are popular, understanding the native kubectl commands is fundamental.
kubectl config set-context --current --namespace applications
kubectl config use-context $EKS_CLUSTER_ARN
Retrieving Deployments
Get detailed information about your Kubernetes deployments, including their status and configuration, within a specific namespace.
kubectl get deployments.v1.apps -o json -n test
Inspecting Pods
View a list of pods, including their status and network details. Filter for pods that are currently in a running state.
kubectl get pods -o wide -n test
Pods that are running.
kubectl get pods -n test --field-selector=status.phase==Running
Describing Pods
Get in-depth details about a specific pod, including its events, status, and container information. This is crucial for debugging.
kubectl describe pods/bridge-client-876b58b4d-tsbhc -n test
Executing Commands within Pods
Access a pod's shell or run specific commands directly inside a container. The double dash (--) separates kubectl arguments from the command to be executed within the pod.
kubectl exec -it --namespace=tools mongo-pod -- bash -c "mongo"
Checking Component Status
Monitor the health and status of Kubernetes control plane components.
kubectl get componentstatuses -n test
Viewing Kubernetes Events
Retrieve a list of events occurring within your Kubernetes cluster, which is vital for understanding cluster activity and troubleshooting issues.
kubectl -n test get events
Accessing Pod Logs
View the logs generated by your application running inside a pod. You can also follow the logs in real-time.
kubectl logs bridge-client-6df4b7bfdc-2trr5 -n test
kubectl logs bridge-client-6df4b7bfdc-2trr5 -n test -f
Managing Pod Disruption Budgets
Check the configured Pod Disruption Budgets (PDBs) to ensure application availability during voluntary disruptions.
kubectl get poddisruptionbudget
Key Kubernetes Resources
Understanding these core Kubernetes concepts is essential for effective cluster management.