This repository provides both kubectx and kubens tools. Purpose of this project is to provide an utility and facilitate discussion about how kubectl can manage contexts better.

kubectx(1)

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

USAGE:
  kubectx                   : list the contexts
  kubectx <NAME>            : switch to context
  kubectx -                 : switch to the previous context
  kubectx <NEW_NAME>=<NAME> : create alias for context
  kubectx -h,--help         : show this message

Purpose of this project is to provide an utility and facilitate discussion about how kubectl can manage contexts better.

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 shells to help with long context names. You don't have to remember full context names anymore.

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
  kubens -h,--help          : show this message

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 shells.

Installation

For macOS:

Use Homebrew package manager:
 brew tap ahmetb/kubectx https://github.com/ahmetb/kubectx.git
 brew install kubectx
this will also set up bash/zsh 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.

Other platforms:

Download the kubectx script, make it executable and add it to your PATH. You can also install bash/zsh completion scripts manually.

Disclaimer: This is not an official Google product.