Finding and Installing Plugins

Krew provides a searchable index of kubectl plugins. Knowing how to find and evaluate plugins helps you extend kubectl with capabilities tailored to your workflow.

Searching for Plugins

# Search the full plugin index
kubectl krew search

# Search by keyword
kubectl krew search context
kubectl krew search namespace
kubectl krew search security

# Get details about a specific plugin
kubectl krew info ctx

The info command shows the plugin description, version, homepage, and supported platforms.

Popular Plugins

These plugins are widely used and solve common pain points:

# ctx - switch between contexts quickly
kubectl krew install ctx
kubectl ctx              # lists contexts, select one to switch

# ns - switch between namespaces quickly
kubectl krew install ns
kubectl ns               # lists namespaces, select one to switch

# neat - clean up YAML output by removing cluster-managed fields
kubectl krew install neat
kubectl get pod my-app -o yaml | kubectl neat

# access-matrix - show RBAC access for resources
kubectl krew install access-matrix
kubectl access-matrix    # shows who can do what

# tree - show resource hierarchy
kubectl krew install tree
kubectl tree deploy my-app  # shows owned ReplicaSets and Pods

# images - list container images in the cluster
kubectl krew install images
kubectl images -A

Installing and Managing Plugins

# Install a plugin
kubectl krew install neat

# Upgrade a specific plugin
kubectl krew upgrade neat

# Upgrade all installed plugins
kubectl krew upgrade

# Remove a plugin
kubectl krew uninstall neat

# List all installed plugins
kubectl krew list

Checking Available Updates

# Update the plugin index first
kubectl krew update

# Then upgrade plugins
kubectl krew upgrade

Key Takeaways