How to Switch kubectl Clusters Between gcloud and minikube

Introduction

Switching between Kubernetes clusters managed by gcloud and minikube can be a common task for developers working in diverse environments. In this guide, you'll learn how to use kubectl commands to switch clusters efficiently.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, make sure:

• You have kubectl installed and configured.
• You have access to both gcloud and minikube clusters.

Switching Clusters

View Current Context

To check the current cluster context, use:

kubectl config current-context

This command displays the name of the cluster you are currently connected to.

List Available Contexts

To view all available contexts, use:

kubectl config get-contexts

This command lists all configured clusters and their contexts.

Switch to gcloud Cluster

To switch to a gcloud cluster, use:

kubectl config use-context <gcloud-context-name>

Replace <gcloud-context-name> with the name of your gcloud cluster context.

Switch to minikube Cluster

To switch to a minikube cluster, use:

kubectl config use-context minikube

The context name for minikube is typically minikube.

Best Practices

• Use Descriptive Context Names: When setting up clusters, use clear and descriptive names for contexts.
• Automate Switching: Use scripts or aliases to automate context switching for frequent tasks.
• Validate Context: After switching, use kubectl get nodes to ensure you are connected to the correct cluster.

Conclusion

Switching between gcloud and minikube clusters is straightforward with kubectl. By following these steps, you can efficiently manage multiple Kubernetes environments.