Kubernetes Essentials

Source: Dev.to

Pods

Definition: Smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes; can run one or more containers.

Commands

kubectl get pods           # List all pods
kubectl describe pod       # Detailed info
kubectl logs               # View container logs

Deployments

Purpose: Ensure your application runs with the desired number of replicas. Handles updates and rollbacks automatically.

Commands

kubectl create deployment --image=
kubectl get deployments
kubectl scale deployment --replicas=N

Services

Purpose: Expose pods to internal or external traffic.

Types

• ClusterIP – internal only (default)
• NodePort – accessible via node IP
• LoadBalancer – external access via cloud load balancer

Commands

kubectl expose deployment --type=NodePort --port=80
kubectl get svc

Common Commands

kubectl get all               # List all resources in the cluster
kubectl delete pod            # Remove a pod
kubectl apply -f              # Apply configuration files

Troubleshooting

kubectl describe pod          # Check events, errors, or misconfigurations
kubectl logs                  # Inspect application logs
kubectl get nodes             # Check node health and availability

Tip: Start by inspecting pods and their logs when troubleshooting, then check deployments and services. Clear visibility into resources makes Kubernetes management easier.