How to Use fzf with Kubernetes

 

✅ How to Use fzf with Kubernetes

Here are some powerful ways to combine fzf with kubectl:

1. Get Pods and Inspect One

kubectl get pods --all-namespaces -o name | fzf | xargs kubectl describe

• You’ll interactively pick a pod.

• Then kubectl describe will show its details.

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2. Exec into a Pod (Select with fzf)

kubectl get pods -o name | fzf | xargs -I {} kubectl exec -it {} -- bash

• Launches a bash shell into the selected pod (if it supports bash).

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3. List Namespaces and Switch

kubectl get ns --no-headers | awk '{print $1}' | fzf

• Outputs a list of namespaces to select from.

To switch context (assuming a helper function):

kubens $(kubectl get ns --no-headers | awk '{print $1}' | fzf)

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4. Use Aliases or Functions in Shell

Add to your .bashrc or .zshrc:

kpod() {
  kubectl get pods -o name | fzf | xargs kubectl describe
}

Then run kpod to trigger the interactive workflow.

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5. Kube Tools with Built-in Fuzzy Support

Some CLI tools already integrate fzf:

🧰 k9s

• Terminal UI for managing Kubernetes.

• Has built-in fuzzy search.

• Fully interactive.

🧰 kubectx and kubens

• kubectx | fzf lets you fuzzy-pick a context to switch.

• kubens | fzf for namespace switching.

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🔄 Combining Tools for Better UX

You can pipe commands together:

kubectl get pods -n $(kubens | fzf) | fzf

Or create custom interactive dashboards using fzf, kubectl, and shell functions.

✅ Bash/Zsh Function

1. Lists all namespaces using kubectl get ns.

2. Lets you select a namespace using fzf.

3. Lists pods in that namespace.

4. Lets you select a pod using fzf.

5. Runs kubectl describe pod on the selected pod.

Add this to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:

kdescribe() {
  local namespace pod
  namespace=$(kubectl get ns --no-headers -o custom-columns=NAME:.metadata.name | fzf --prompt="Select Namespace: ")
  [ -z "$namespace" ] && echo "No namespace selected" && return

  pod=$(kubectl get pods -n "$namespace" --no-headers -o custom-columns=NAME:.metadata.name | fzf --prompt="Select Pod in $namespace: ")
  [ -z "$pod" ] && echo "No pod selected" && return

  kubectl describe pod "$pod" -n "$namespace"
}

Then reload your shell:

source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

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💡 Usage

Simply type:

kdescribe

And follow the interactive prompts to:

1. Choose a namespace

2. Choose a pod

3. View detailed description (kubectl describe pod output)