Configure a GKE cluster in Cloud Code for IntelliJ

With Cloud Code, you can create a Kubernetes cluster with Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).

Note: For developing and testing an app, create and run on a non-production cluster. For changes that will be rolled out to production, use an automated CI/CD workflow.

Create a GKE cluster and add it to your KubeConfig

Cloud Code opens the Google Cloud console so that you can quickly create a cluster:

1. To open the Kubernetes Explorer, click Kubernetes Explorer or navigate to Tools > Cloud Code > Kubernetes > View Cluster Explorer.

2. In the header of the Kubernetes Explorer pane, click + Connect to a GKE Cluster.

3. Choose Create a new GKE Cluster or Create a new GKE Autopilot cluster. For more information on which mode to choose, see Comparing Autopilot and Standard modes.

4. If prompted, click Open to permit Cloud Code to open the Google Cloud console.

5. In Google Cloud console, choose any configuration options that you want to customize and then click Create.

6. After the cluster is created, in Cloud Code, in the Kubernetes explorer, click the Refresh icon.

7. After the name of your new cluster appears in the list, click the cluster name. Your new cluster is added to the configuration and set as the default context.

Work with an existing GKE cluster

If you have an existing Standard or Autopilot GKE cluster, you can set it as your active cluster and work with it using Cloud Code.

1. In the header of the Kubernetes Explorer pane, click + Add GKE Cluster.
2. Click Google Kubernetes Engine.
3. Click your cluster name. Your cluster is added to the KubeConfig.

Set a cluster as the default context

The active cluster is the cluster that your application is deployed to by default.

In the Kubernetes Explorer, right-click a cluster and then click Set as Current Context.

Run an application on GKE

To run or debug an application on GKE, you'll need to define the container image repository for your project.

To learn more, read about storing your container images.

Remove a cluster from your KubeConfig

After you remove a cluster from your KubeConfig, the cluster is not available to deploy to.

In the Kubernetes Explorer, right-click a cluster and then click Remove From KubeConfig.

Create and add a cluster from another cloud provider

If you're using an on-premises cluster or a cluster from another provider such as Azure or AWS, use the provider's tools to create the cluster and add it to your KubeConfig.

What's next

• Organize your cluster access using kubeconfig files.
• Learn how to add, delete or switch between your kubeconfig files in Cloud Code.
• Develop and debug parts of a microservice application using Skaffold.
• Use file sync and hot reloading to speed up development.
• Debug your application in Cloud Code.

Get support

To submit feedback or report an issue in your IntelliJ IDE, go to Tools > Cloud Code > Help / About > Submit feedback or report an issue to report an issue on GitHub, or ask a question on Stack Overflow.