No matter how many third-party tools we use to manage Kubernetes, Kubectl is something you cannot live without out in the Kubernetes ecosystem.

There are compliant environments where you cannot use third-party tools except kubectl for a user to interact with the Kubernetes cluster.

Have you ever wanted to do more with kubectl?

For example, something like,

kubectl backup cluster

Is it is even possible?

Kubectl Plugins

Here is where kubectl plugins come in to picture. Kubectl plugins help you to extend the kubectl core functionalities with custom functionalities that you need.

You can use any programing language or scripts that support the command line to write a Kubectl plugin.

Creating a plugin is very easy. Try creating one for fun!

Check out the Documentation

Before you start writing your own plugin, check out all the Kubectl community plugins. There are more than 100+ open source kubectl plugins available for different use cases.

To make it even better, there is a plugin manager called krew to manage the community plugins on your workstation.

For example, to install a plugin, all you have to do is

kubectl krew install <plugin-name>

Krew Plugin Manager

Krew Installation