kubectl exec for container access in Kubernetes - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the command kubectl exec do?

It lets you run commands inside a running container in a Kubernetes pod, like opening a terminal session or running a script.

beginner

How do you open an interactive shell inside a container using kubectl exec?

Use kubectl exec -it <pod-name> -- /bin/sh or /bin/bash to start an interactive shell session.

beginner

What does the -i and -t flags mean in kubectl exec -it?

-i keeps the input open (interactive), and -t allocates a terminal, so you can type commands like in a normal shell.

intermediate

How do you specify which container to exec into if a pod has multiple containers?

Use the -c <container-name> option to choose the container inside the pod.

beginner

What happens if you run kubectl exec <pod-name> -- ls /?

It runs the ls / command inside the container, listing the root directory contents without opening an interactive shell.

Which command opens an interactive bash shell inside a pod named 'webapp'?

A kubectl shell webapp

B kubectl exec -it webapp -- /bin/bash

C kubectl get pods webapp --shell

D kubectl run webapp -- /bin/bash

The correct syntax to open an interactive shell is 'kubectl exec -it pod-name -- /bin/bash'.

What does the -- signify in the command kubectl exec pod -- ls?

A Specifies the pod namespace

B Ends the command

C Separates kubectl options from the command to run inside the container

D Indicates the container name

The double dash -- tells kubectl that what follows is the command to run inside the container.

If a pod has two containers, how do you run a command in the second container?

A kubectl exec pod -c container2 -- command

B kubectl exec pod --container container2 command

C kubectl exec pod container2 -- command

D kubectl exec pod --container=container2 command

Use the -c flag followed by the container name to specify which container to exec into.

What is the purpose of the -t flag in kubectl exec -it?

A Allocates a pseudo-TTY (terminal)

B Runs the command in the background

C Specifies the target pod

D Terminates the session after command

The -t flag allocates a terminal so you can interact with the shell.

Which command lists files in the root directory of a pod named 'db' without opening a shell?

A kubectl exec db ls /

B kubectl exec -it db -- ls /

C kubectl exec db -c ls /

D kubectl exec db -- ls /

Running 'kubectl exec db -- ls /' executes the command directly inside the container.

Explain how to use kubectl exec to open an interactive shell inside a container.

Think about how to connect to a container like opening a terminal.

Describe the difference between running a command with kubectl exec interactively and non-interactively.

Consider when you want to type commands versus just get results.