Using the Kubernetes Explorer

The Kubernetes Explorer lets you easily manage Kubernetes resources. The Kubernetes Explorer is powered by kubectl and offers an easier way to access your Kubernetes clusters and run commands on them.

Opening the Kubernetes Explorer

To open the Kubernetes Explorer, click Kubernetes Explorer icon Cloud Code - Kubernetes.

Managing clusters

For steps to manage Google Kubernetes Engine clusters in the Kubernetes Explorer, see Adding a Kubernetes cluster.

If you're using an on-prem 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.

Copying a resource name

In the Kubernetes Explorer, right-click a resource and then click Copy Value. The resource name is copied to your clipboard.

Adding a secret as an environment variable

To add an existing Kubernetes secret to the deployment as an environment variable:

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Secrets.
  2. Right-click a secret that represents a deployment object and then click Add Secret as Environment Variable.

Mounting a secret as a volume

To mount an existing Kubernetes secret as a volume in the deployment's container:

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Secrets.
  2. Right-click a secret that represents a deployment object and then click Mount Secret as Volume.

Managing pods

Only Standard clusters support the following actions:

  • Updating resources in the kube-system namespace
  • Accessing pods through a terminal are permitted
  • Modifying node-objects

These actions aren't available for Autopilot clusters in the Kubernetes Explorer.

Streaming logs from a pod

To stream logs from a pod:

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Pods.
  2. Right-click a pod and then click Stream Logs.
  3. If there are multiple containers in the pod, select a container when prompted.

Viewing logs from a pod

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Pods.
  2. Right-click a pod and then click View Logs
  3. If there are multiple containers in the pod, select a container when prompted.

Managing containers

Streaming logs from a container

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster, expand Pods, and then expand Containers.

  2. Right-click a container and then click Stream Logs.

    Streaming Logs from a container

Viewing logs from a container

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster, expand Pods, and then expand Containers.

  2. Right-click a container and then click View Logs.

    Viewing Logs from a container

Opening an interactive terminal to a container

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster, expand Pods, and then expand Containers.

  2. Right-click a container and then click Get Terminal.

    Opening a terminal from a container

Opening an external IP address

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Services.
  2. Expand External IPs, right-click an IP address, and then click Open Address.

  3. Click Open.

    Opening an external IP address

Viewing secrets

  1. In the Kubernetes Explorer, expand your minikube cluster and then expand Secrets.
  2. Expand the secret to view its details.