kubectl exec for container access in Kubernetes - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Using kubectl exec to Access Containers

📖 Scenario: You are managing a Kubernetes cluster with a running pod. Sometimes you need to access the container inside the pod to check logs, run commands, or debug issues.This project will teach you how to use kubectl exec to access a container inside a pod.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to use kubectl exec to run commands inside a container in a Kubernetes pod.

📋 What You'll Learn

A Kubernetes cluster with kubectl configured

A pod named myapp-pod running with a container named myapp-container

Basic command line knowledge

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Accessing containers inside pods is a common task for debugging, inspecting logs, or running maintenance commands in Kubernetes environments.

💼 Career

Knowing how to use <code>kubectl exec</code> is essential for Kubernetes administrators, DevOps engineers, and developers working with containerized applications.

1

Create a pod manifest file

Create a file named myapp-pod.yaml with a pod definition that has the pod name myapp-pod and a container named myapp-container using the image nginx.

Kubernetes

# Create a pod manifest file named myapp-pod.yaml with the specified pod and container names
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use the apiVersion as v1, kind as Pod, and specify metadata.name and spec.containers with the correct names and image.

2

Apply the pod manifest to create the pod

Use the command kubectl apply -f myapp-pod.yaml to create the pod named myapp-pod in the cluster.

Kubernetes

apiVersion: v1
kind: Pod
metadata:
  name: myapp-pod
spec:
  containers:
  - name: myapp-container
    image: nginx

# Run the command to create the pod
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use kubectl apply -f myapp-pod.yaml to create the pod from the manifest file.

3

Use kubectl exec to run a command inside the container

Use kubectl exec with the pod name myapp-pod and container name myapp-container to run the command ls /usr/share/nginx/html inside the container.

Kubernetes

apiVersion: v1
kind: Pod
metadata:
  name: myapp-pod
spec:
  containers:
  - name: myapp-container
    image: nginx

# Command to create the pod
kubectl apply -f myapp-pod.yaml

# Use kubectl exec to list files inside the container
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use kubectl exec <pod-name> -c <container-name> -- <command> format to run commands inside a container.

4

Access an interactive shell inside the container

Use kubectl exec with the pod name myapp-pod and container name myapp-container to start an interactive bash shell inside the container. Use the -it flags and the command /bin/bash.

Kubernetes

apiVersion: v1
kind: Pod
metadata:
  name: myapp-pod
spec:
  containers:
  - name: myapp-container
    image: nginx

# Command to create the pod
kubectl apply -f myapp-pod.yaml

# Run ls command inside the container
kubectl exec myapp-pod -c myapp-container -- ls /usr/share/nginx/html

# Start an interactive bash shell inside the container
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use kubectl exec -it <pod-name> -c <container-name> -- /bin/bash to open an interactive shell.