kubernetes-essentials

Kubectl is the command-line tool for managing Kubernetes resources. Use `kubectl create` to deploy pods and deployments, `kubectl get` to list resources, `kubectl describe` to inspect details, and `kubectl delete` to remove resources. These commands form the foundation of daily cluster operations.

Kubernetes secrets store sensitive configuration data separately from application code. Create secrets with `kubectl create secret`, reference them in pod specs, and Kubernetes manages encryption at rest. Secrets keep passwords, API tokens, and credentials secure within your cluster.

ConfigMaps store non-sensitive configuration data as key-value pairs in Kubernetes. Use `kubectl create configmap` to define settings, then inject them into pods as environment variables or mounted files. This separates configuration from deployment manifests.

Yes. Use `kubectl config view` to see your contexts and `kubectl config use-context` to switch between clusters. Namespaces logically partition resources within a cluster. Use `kubectl config set-context` to set default namespaces and manage multi-environment access.

Use `kubectl describe pod` to inspect resource events and status, then `kubectl logs` to view application output. Check pod events for errors, verify resource requests, and examine deployment specifications. These commands diagnose most common pod failures.

Core resources include Pods (smallest deployable units), Deployments (manage pod replicas), Services (network access), ConfigMaps (configuration), Secrets (sensitive data), and Namespaces (resource partitioning). These form the foundation for all Kubernetes cluster operations.