If you’re just starting out in the world of Kubernetes, the multitude of tools and terms can quickly seem overwhelming. But with the right tools, you can get started much more easily: from local development to productive clusters. In this article, we will introduce you to the most important Kubernetes tools that you can use to work efficiently, securely and at scale.
kubectl: Your most important control tool
Nothing works in Kubernetes without kubectl. It is the official command line tool with which you communicate directly with your cluster. With kubectl, you can configure and manage Kubernetes clusters, manage workloads, interact with containers, carry out deployments in a cluster and rectify errors.
Why you need it:
- Direct control over your cluster
- Ideal for initial tests and learning purposes
- Supports automation via scripts
minikube or kind: Testing Kubernetes locally
Before you start working in the cloud, it’s worth running a test on your laptop. With minikube and kind (Kubernetes in Docker), you can start local clusters in just a few minutes.
minikube is a tool that makes it possible to run a single-node Kubernetes cluster in a container or VM on the local computer. Simplifying the execution of a Kubernetes cluster, experimenting with Kubernetes and developing Kubernetes-based applications are among the main purposes of minikube.
Advantages minikube:
- Easy entry
- Supports various hypervisors
- Perfect for trying out new configurations
- Brings some addons with it, such as Headlamp, Kubernetes Dashboard gAdvisor
kind is a tool that can be used to run a Kubernetes cluster locally using Docker container nodes. In contrast to minikube, kind only runs in a Docker container and enables the operation of multi-node clusters. The development of kind was originally intended to facilitate the development of Kubernetes itself. It therefore also supports the creation of Kubernetes releases directly from the Kubernetes source code.
Advantages child:
- Starts quickly in Docker containers
- Ideal for CI/CD pipelines
- Less resource consumption
- 1:1 the desired behavior of the Kubernetes project due to the “official character”
Helm: The package manager for Kubernetes
Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management of applications. Instead of manually creating and maintaining many separate configuration files, Helm bundles everything needed for an application into a single, reusable package – the so-called Helm Chart. Using the charts, you can install complex applications (e.g. Prometheus, Grafana or NGINX) with just one command.
Your advantages:
- Saves an enormous amount of time during deployment
- Enables versioning and reproducibility
- Ideal for productive use
kubectx: Fast cluster and namespace change
If you work with multiple clusters or namespaces, kubectx is your best friend. It allows you to switch between environments at lightning speed without having to enter long commands.
Advantages:
- Saves time
- Reduces typing errors
- Ideal for multi-cluster setups
Devspace: Command line tool
Devspace is a tool for the command line that offers numerous functions to make it easier to work with containers in Kubernetes clusters. Devspace also has a small user interface that mainly consists of a terminal for executing commands. It is a client-only tool that uses kube-context to communicate with Kubernetes clusters – similar to kubectl.
Advantages:
- Offers numerous functions
- Facilitating work with containers in Kubernetes clusters
- Can work with any local or cloud-based Kubernetes cluster
Tilt: Your tool for building and deploying
Tilt is a tool for creating and deploying containers in a Kubernetes cluster. It monitors code changes that trigger a rebuild of the containers. These are then automatically deployed to your Kubernetes cluster. Tilt focuses in particular on applications that consist of many containers and have complex dependencies that are difficult to debug together.
Advantages:
- Facilitates the deployment of containers
- Provides insights into running containers
- Particularly suitable for complex dependencies
Garden: DevOps tool Deploy for development, testing and production
Garden simplifies the deployment of containers for development, testing and production to Kubernetes. It can monitor code changes and redeploy only the changed components. The tool also offers functions for streaming logs from containers running in a Kubernetes cluster and enables the combination of services running in different environments.
Advantages:
- Deployed containers in existing Kubernetes clusters
- Automatic rebuilding, testing and deploying after changes
- Facilitates testing of features in an isolated environment
Prometheus & Grafana: Monitoring for your cluster
Once your applications are running, you naturally want to know how well they are performing. Prometheus is the standard tool for metrics in Kubernetes. Grafana visualizes this data in clear dashboards.
Prometheus offers:
- Real-time monitoring of pods, nodes and containers
- Alerts when threshold values are exceeded
- Integration into many cloud services
Grafana added:
- Flexible dashboards
- Clear visualizations
- Perfect basis for observability
Conclusion: Your Kubernetes launch will succeed with the right tools
Getting started with Kubernetes can seem complex at first glance, as it involves containers, clusters, deployments and lots of new terms. But with the right tools at your side, the challenge quickly turns into an exciting learning journey. The tools mentioned form your personal Kubernetes toolbox: they are practical, expandable and perfect for getting started. Once you have mastered them, you will quickly realize how powerful and flexible Kubernetes really is.
Final tip: Start small, try out a lot and document your steps. In this way, you will build up your knowledge step by step and lay the foundation for stable, scalable and modern applications.
Managed Kubernetes – a stress-free start in the cloud
If you want to make getting started with Kubernetes even easier, Managed Kubernetes can be a real relief. We are happy to take care of the complex cluster management, security updates, backups and scaling for you so that you can concentrate fully on your applications.
Your benefits at a glance:
- No time-consuming cluster administration
- Automatic updates and security patches
- Scaling as required without manual effort
- Faster time-to-market for new projects
With Managed Kubernetes, you can get started right away without having to worry about the in-depth technical details. This is ideal if you want to work efficiently and benefit from the advantages of Kubernetes at the same time. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
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