How Can I Use Local Docker Images with Minikube?

TLDR

To use local Docker images with Minikube, enable the Minikube Docker environment using eval $(minikube docker-env). Build your images locally, and they will be accessible within the Minikube cluster.

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Minikube is a popular tool for running Kubernetes clusters locally. When developing applications, you may want to use local Docker images without pushing them to a remote registry. This guide will show you how to use local Docker images with Minikube.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Minikube installed on your system.
• Docker installed and running.
• A Kubernetes cluster started with Minikube.

Step 1: Start Minikube

Start your Minikube cluster using the following command:

minikube start

This initializes a local Kubernetes cluster.

Step 2: Enable Minikube Docker Environment

To use local Docker images with Minikube, you need to enable the Minikube Docker environment. Run the following command:

eval $(minikube docker-env)

This command configures your terminal to use the Docker daemon inside the Minikube VM.

Example Output

export DOCKER_TLS_VERIFY="1"
export DOCKER_HOST="tcp://192.168.99.100:2376"
export DOCKER_CERT_PATH="/home/user/.minikube/certs"
export MINIKUBE_ACTIVE_DOCKERD="minikube"

Step 3: Build Local Docker Images

Build your Docker images locally using the standard docker build command. For example:

docker build -t my-app:latest .

Since your terminal is configured to use the Minikube Docker daemon, the image will be available inside the Minikube cluster.

Step 4: Verify the Image in Minikube

To verify that the image is available in Minikube, use the following command:

docker images

This will list all Docker images in the Minikube environment. You should see your image (my-app:latest) in the list.

Step 5: Deploy the Image to Kubernetes

Create a Kubernetes deployment using your local image. For example:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: my-app
spec:
  replicas: 1
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: my-app
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: my-app
    spec:
      containers:
        - name: my-app
          image: my-app:latest
          ports:
            - containerPort: 8080

Save this YAML configuration to a file (e.g., deployment.yaml) and apply it using kubectl:

kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml

Step 6: Access the Application

Expose the deployment as a service to access the application. For example:

kubectl expose deployment my-app --type=NodePort --port=8080

Use the following command to get the service URL:

minikube service my-app --url

Navigate to the URL in your browser to access the application.

Additional Tips

• Switch Back to Local Docker: To switch back to your local Docker environment, run:

  eval $(minikube docker-env -u)
  

• Use Minikube Addons: Minikube provides addons like the Kubernetes dashboard for easier management.

• Monitor Resources: Use kubectl get pods and kubectl logs to monitor your application.

By following these steps, you can efficiently use local Docker images with Minikube for Kubernetes development and testing.