Top 10 Kubernetes Command Line Tools You Should Know

Are you looking for ways to streamline your Kubernetes workflow? Do you want to manage your Kubernetes cluster more efficiently? If so, you're in luck! In this article, we'll introduce you to the top 10 Kubernetes command line tools you should know. These tools will help you manage your Kubernetes cluster more effectively, automate repetitive tasks, and troubleshoot issues faster.

1. kubectl

First on our list is kubectl, the official command line tool for Kubernetes. With kubectl, you can deploy, inspect, and manage your Kubernetes cluster from the command line. You can use kubectl to create and manage Kubernetes objects like pods, services, and deployments. You can also use kubectl to view logs, scale your applications, and troubleshoot issues.

2. Helm

Next up is Helm, a package manager for Kubernetes. With Helm, you can easily install, upgrade, and manage applications on your Kubernetes cluster. Helm uses charts to define the structure of your application and its dependencies. You can use Helm to install popular applications like WordPress, MySQL, and Prometheus with just a few commands.

3. kubectx and kubens

If you work with multiple Kubernetes clusters, you know how tedious it can be to switch between them. That's where kubectx and kubens come in. These two tools make it easy to switch between Kubernetes contexts and namespaces from the command line. With kubectx, you can quickly switch between different Kubernetes clusters. With kubens, you can switch between different namespaces within a cluster.

4. k9s

If you're looking for a more visual way to manage your Kubernetes cluster from the command line, check out k9s. K9s is a terminal-based UI for Kubernetes that makes it easy to navigate and manage your cluster. With k9s, you can view your Kubernetes objects in a tree-like structure, view logs, and even edit your YAML files directly from the terminal.

5. stern

When you're troubleshooting issues in your Kubernetes cluster, it can be helpful to view the logs for multiple pods at once. That's where stern comes in. Stern is a tool that allows you to tail the logs for multiple pods at once. You can filter the logs by pod name, container name, or even by a regular expression.

6. kubetail

Similar to stern, kubetail allows you to tail the logs for multiple pods at once. However, kubetail also allows you to tail the logs for all the pods in a deployment or a statefulset. You can also filter the logs by pod name, container name, or by a regular expression.

7. kubefwd

If you're developing applications on your Kubernetes cluster, you may need to access your services from your local machine. That's where kubefwd comes in. Kubefwd allows you to forward your Kubernetes services to your local machine. You can use kubefwd to access your services as if they were running on your local machine.

8. kubectl-aliases

If you're tired of typing out long kubectl commands, check out kubectl-aliases. Kubectl-aliases is a collection of aliases for kubectl commands that make it easier to type and remember common commands. With kubectl-aliases, you can type "k" instead of "kubectl" and use shortcuts for common commands like "get", "describe", and "delete".

9. kubectx-zsh

If you use the zsh shell, you can use kubectx-zsh to make it easier to switch between Kubernetes contexts and namespaces. Kubectx-zsh adds autocompletion for kubectx and kubens commands, making it faster and easier to switch between contexts and namespaces.

10. kubectl-tree

Last but not least, we have kubectl-tree. Kubectl-tree is a plugin for kubectl that allows you to view your Kubernetes objects in a tree-like structure. With kubectl-tree, you can easily navigate and manage your Kubernetes objects from the command line.

Conclusion

In this article, we've introduced you to the top 10 Kubernetes command line tools you should know. These tools will help you manage your Kubernetes cluster more effectively, automate repetitive tasks, and troubleshoot issues faster. Whether you're a developer, a DevOps engineer, or a Kubernetes administrator, these tools will make your life easier. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring these tools and take your Kubernetes workflow to the next level!

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