Enhance Your Kubernetes Experience with These Game-Changing Plugins

Picture this: You’re sitting at your favorite coffee shop, sipping on a freshly brewed cup of coffee while working on your latest Kubernetes project. But as the day progresses, switching between clusters and namespaces using long kubectl commands starts feeling like you’re shuffling through paperwork in a cluttered office. That’s when kubectl plugins come to the rescue, turning your Kubernetes management into a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

In this post, we’re diving into the essential plugins you should have in your Kubernetes toolkit — tools like kubectx, kubens, and many more that will make your Kubernetes life a whole lot easier.

First, What Are kubectx and kubens?

Imagine you’re managing multiple Kubernetes clusters. Jumping from one cluster to another can get tedious. That’s where kubectx shines. This handy tool allows you to switch between Kubernetes contexts (or clusters) with a single, simple command. Whether you’re working on a staging environment or your production cluster, kubectx makes it feel like you’re toggling between browser tabs.

Similarly, kubens helps you navigate between Kubernetes namespaces with ease. Instead of typing out the full command to set the current namespace, kubens lets you hop between them with a quick command, making sure you stay in the right namespace when working with different applications or teams.

Here’s how you can quickly get started:

Operation	Command
Install on macOS	$ brew install kubectx
List all clusters	$ kubectx
Connect to a cluster	$ kubectx <cluster_name>
Switch back to the last cluster	$ kubectx -
List all namespaces	$ kubens
Set current namespace	$ kubens <namespace_name>
Switch back to the last namespace	$ kubens -

Just like that, you’re now bouncing between clusters and namespaces like a Kubernetes pro.

But Wait, There’s More: The Power of kubectl Plugins

While kubectx and kubens take care of cluster and namespace switching, there’s a whole world of kubectl plugins that can elevate your Kubernetes management. These plugins, easily managed with kubectl krew (a plugin manager for kubectl), add a ton of extra features to your Kubernetes toolkit — from debugging to visualizing resource hierarchies.

Here are a few you should definitely check out:

1. kubectl krew

Think of Krew as the “app store” for kubectl plugins. It helps you find, install, and manage all the amazing plugins that the community has built.
Install: kubectl krew install krew
Usage: Explore available plugins with kubectl krew search.

2. kubectl ctx (alternative to kubectx)

This plugin lets you quickly switch between contexts just like kubectx.
Install: kubectl krew install ctx
Usage: kubectl ctx

3. kubectl ns (alternative to kubens)

Need to switch namespaces quickly? This plugin mirrors kubens’ functionality and keeps things simple.
Install: kubectl krew install ns
Usage: kubectl ns

4. kubectl neat

Have you ever looked at the output of kubectl get pod -o yaml and felt overwhelmed by the unnecessary information? Kubectl neat cleans up the output, removing extra fields you don’t need, so you can focus on what’s important.
Install: kubectl krew install neat
Usage: kubectl get pod -o yaml | kubectl neat

5. kubectl access-matrix

Ever wonder who has access to what in your cluster? With this plugin, you can see an access matrix of all available resources in the namespace, making it easier to manage roles and permissions.
Install: kubectl krew install access-matrix
Usage: kubectl access-matrix

6. kubectl tail

Need to monitor logs in real-time across multiple pods? This plugin allows you to tail logs from multiple pods in a deployment or namespace all at once. It’s great for debugging live issues in your cluster.
Install: kubectl krew install tail
Usage: kubectl tail deployment/my-deployment

7. kubectl tree

This one’s a personal favorite for visualizing Kubernetes resources. Have you ever wondered how various resources are connected or what owns what in your cluster? With kubectl tree, you can visualize the hierarchy of Kubernetes resources, helping you understand ownership relationships between them.
Install: kubectl krew install tree
Usage: kubectl tree <resource>

8. kubectl gadgets

For those who love to dive deep into debugging and tracing, this plugin packs a collection of tools like strace, tcpdump, and more. It’s perfect for advanced Kubernetes troubleshooting.
Install: kubectl krew install gadgets
Usage: kubectl gadgets <tool>

9. kubectl top pods

This plugin is essential if you need to monitor the CPU and memory usage of your pods. Note that it requires the metrics-server to be installed in your cluster.
Install: kubectl krew install top-pods
Usage: kubectl top pods --all-namespaces

Why You Should Care

By incorporating these kubectl plugins into your workflow, you’re turning Kubernetes management into a smooth, streamlined experience. You no longer have to remember lengthy commands or sift through cluttered YAML outputs. With these tools at your fingertips, you’ll spend less time managing your clusters and more time building and deploying your applications.

So, go ahead—grab another cup of coffee, install these tools on your development machine, and explore how much easier your Kubernetes life can be. Once again, the open-source community has provided an incredible set of tools that make managing complex environments simpler and more efficient.

Happy Kubernetes-ing!