How to Delete All Resources from Kubernetes at One Time

Introduction

Managing resources in Kubernetes often involves creating, updating, and deleting them. Sometimes, you may need to delete all resources in a namespace or even the entire cluster. This guide will walk you through the process of deleting all resources efficiently using kubectl commands.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, make sure:

• You have kubectl installed and configured.
• You have access to the Kubernetes cluster.
• You understand the impact of deleting resources, as this action is irreversible.

Deleting All Resources in a Namespace

Using kubectl delete all

To delete all resources in a specific namespace, use the following command:

kubectl delete all --all -n <namespace>

Replace <namespace> with the name of the namespace you want to clean up.

Example

Suppose you want to delete all resources in the default namespace. Run:

kubectl delete all --all -n default

This command deletes all resources, including Pods, Services, Deployments, and more, in the default namespace.

Verify Deletion

After running the command, verify that the namespace is empty:

kubectl get all -n <namespace>

If no resources are listed, the namespace has been successfully cleaned up.

Deleting All Resources in the Cluster

Using kubectl delete with --all

To delete all resources across the entire cluster, use:

kubectl delete all --all

This command deletes all resources in all namespaces.

Example

Run the following command to clean up the entire cluster:

kubectl delete all --all

Warning

Deleting all resources in the cluster is a destructive action. Ensure you have backups or snapshots of critical resources before proceeding.

Best Practices

• Use Namespaces: Organize resources into namespaces to simplify cleanup.
• Backup Data: Always back up critical resources before deletion.
• Test Commands: Use kubectl get commands to preview resources before deleting them.

Conclusion

Deleting all resources in Kubernetes can be done efficiently using kubectl commands. By following these steps, you can clean up namespaces or entire clusters while minimizing risks.