Top Kubectl Commands

Introduction

If Kubernetes is the orchestra conductor for your containerized applications, consider kubectl as your magic wand that turns your commands into orchestrated symphonies. Kubernetes can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers, and kubectl is your lifeline to navigate through the complexities. 

This article aims to demystify some of the most important kubectl commands that you'll find yourself using most often. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to brush up your skills, this guide is your go-to resource.

What is Kubectl?

Kubectl is a command-line tool designed to interact with a Kubernetes cluster. It's the Swiss Army knife of Kubernetes tools, capable of doing everything from creating a pod to scaling deployments and troubleshooting.

Why is Kubectl Important?

Cluster Management: Administer your Kubernetes cluster effectively.

Resource Manipulation: Create, update, or delete Kubernetes resources like pods, services, and volumes.

Debugging: Investigate and debug issues within your cluster.

Essential Kubectl Commands

The sheer number of kubectl commands can be intimidating, but don't worry; you don't have to learn them all at once. Let's focus on some of the most commonly used ones.

Get Resources

The kubectl get command helps you retrieve information about various resources in your cluster.

kubectl get pods
kubectl get services

Describe Resources

If you need more details about a particular resource, use the kubectl describe command.

kubectl describe pod <pod-name>

Create and Apply Resources

To create a new resource, you can use the kubectl create command, or even better, the kubectl apply command to manage resources defined in a .yaml or .json file.

kubectl create -f resource.yaml
kubectl apply -f resource.yaml

Delete Resources

Cleaning up is as important as setting up. Use the kubectl delete command to remove resources.

kubectl delete pod <pod-name>
kubectl delete -f resource.yaml

Logs and Monitoring

Debugging is a significant part of any development process, and kubectl logs and kubectl top are your allies in this.

kubectl logs <pod-name>
kubectl top pod

Executing Commands in Containers

Sometimes you may need to execute specific commands in a running container. Use kubectl exec for this.

kubectl exec -it <pod-name> -- /bin/bash

Rolling Back Deployments
Mistakes happen, and that's why kubectl rollout exists. It allows you to pause, resume, or even undo deployments.

kubectl rollout undo deployment <deployment-name>

Tips for Effective Kubectl Usage

• Auto-Completion: Enable auto-completion in your shell to make your life easier.
   
• Aliases: Use aliases for long commands you frequently use.
   
• Contexts: Use kubectl config use-context to switch between different clusters easily.