This repository provides both kubectx and kubens tools.

kubectx helps you switch between clusters back and forth:

kubens helps you switch between Kubernetes namespaces smoothly:

kubectx(1)

kubectx is an utility to manage and switch between kubectl(1) contexts.

USAGE:
  kubectx                   : list the contexts
  kubectx <NAME>            : switch to context <NAME>
  kubectx -                 : switch to the previous context
  kubectx <NEW_NAME>=<NAME> : rename context <NAME> to <NEW_NAME>
  kubectx <NEW_NAME>=.      : rename current-context to <NEW_NAME>
  kubectx -d <NAME>         : delete context <NAME> ('.' for current-context)
                              (this command won't delete the user/cluster entry
                              that is used by the context)

Usage

$ kubectx minikube
Switched to context "minikube".

$ kubectx -
Switched to context "oregon".

$ kubectx -
Switched to context "minikube".

$ kubectx dublin=gke_ahmetb_europe-west1-b_dublin
Context "dublin" set.
Aliased "gke_ahmetb_europe-west1-b_dublin" as "dublin".

kubectx supports Tab completion on bash/zsh/fish shells to help with long context names. You don't have to remember full context names anymore.

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kubens(1)

kubens is an utility to switch between Kubernetes namespaces.

USAGE:
  kubens                    : list the namespaces
  kubens <NAME>             : change the active namespace
  kubens -                  : switch to the previous namespace

Usage

$ kubens kube-system
Context "test" set.
Active namespace is "kube-system".

$ kubens -
Context "test" set.
Active namespace is "default".

kubens also supports Tab completion on bash/zsh/fish shells.

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Installation

macOS

🎊 Use the Homebrew package manager:

brew install kubectx

This command will set up bash/zsh/fish completion scripts automatically.

• Running brew install with --with-short-names will install tools with names kctx and kns to prevent prefix collision with kubectl name.

• If you like to add context/namespace info to your shell prompt ($PS1), I recommend trying out kube-ps1.

Linux

Since kubectx/kubens are written in Bash, you should be able to instal them to any POSIX environment that has Bash installed.

• Download the kubectx, and kubens scripts.
• Either:
  • save them all to somewhere in your PATH,
  • or save them to a directory, then create symlinks to kubectx/kubens from somewhere in your PATH, like /usr/local/bin
• Make kubectx and kubens executable (chmod +x ...)
• Figure out how to install bash/zsh/fish completion scripts.

Example installation steps:

sudo git clone https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx /opt/kubectx
sudo ln -s /opt/kubectx/kubectx /usr/local/bin/kubectx
sudo ln -s /opt/kubectx/kubens /usr/local/bin/kubens

Arch Linux

An unofficial AUR package kubectx is available. Install instructions can be found on the Arch wiki.

Debian/Ubuntu

Available as a Debian package for Debian Buster (testing), Sid (unstable) (note: if you are unfamiliar with Debian release process and how to enable testing/unstable repos, check the Debian Wiki):

sudo apt install kubectx

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Customizing current context colors

If you like to customize the colors indicating the current namespace or context, set the environment variables KUBECTX_CURRENT_FGCOLOR and KUBECTX_CURRENT_BGCOLOR:

export KUBECTX_CURRENT_FGCOLOR=$(tput setaf 6) # blue text
export KUBECTX_CURRENT_BGCOLOR=$(tput setaf 7) # white background

Refer color codes here

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Users

What are others saying about kubectx?
“Thank you for kubectx & kubens - I use them all the time & have them in my k8s toolset to maintain happiness :) ” – @pbouwer
“I can't imagine working without kubectx and especially kubens anymore. It's pure gold.” – @timoreimann
“I'm liking kubectx from @ahmetb, makes it super-easy to switch #Kubernetes contexts [...]” — @lizrice
“Also using it on a daily basis. This and my zsh config that shows me the current k8s context 😉” – @puja108
“Lately I've found myself using the kubens command more than kubectx. Both very useful though :-)” – @stuartleeks
“yeah kubens rocks!” – @embano1
“Special thanks to Ahmet Alp Balkan for creating kubectx, kubens, and kubectl aliases, as these tools made my life better.” – @strebeld

If you liked kubectx, you may like my kubectl-aliases project, too.

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Disclaimer: This is not an official Google product.

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