k.env

An elegant implementation of kubectl "contexts" using KUBECONFIG in a convenient and easy to understand shell function.

Using the format $ k prod, or in a command as $ k prod get pods, the KUBECONFIG "context" is set for the remainder of that terminal session.

Source

POSIX

Add this snippet to your .bashrc, .zshrc, or other POSIX environment files. You should really only use this if you're using a true POSIX shell. Otherwise use the Zsh or Bash snippets below.

# kubectl wrapper to switch KUBECONFIG environments.
k() {
  if [[ "${1}" == 'yourenv' ]]; then
    KUBECONFIG="${HOME}/.kube/configs/yourenv"
    shift
    kubectl "${@}"
  else
    kubectl "${@}"
  fi
}

Bash

Add this snippet to your .bashrc or other sourced files.

k.bash

# kubectl wrapper to switch KUBECONFIG environments.
k() {
  if [[ "${1}" == 'yourenv' ]]; then
    KUBECONFIG="${HOME}/.kube/configs/yourenv"
    shift
    kubectl "${@}"
  else
    kubectl "${@}"
  fi
}

ZSH

Add this snippet to your .zshrc or other sourced files. Includes completion for kubectl.

k.zsh

k.zsh

# kubectl wrapper to switch KUBECONFIG environments.
k() {
  if [[ "${1}" == 'yourenv' ]]; then
    KUBECONFIG="${HOME}/.kube/configs/yourenv"
    shift
    kubectl "${@}"
  else
    kubectl "${@}"
  fi
}
compdef k='kubectl' # completion

About

A variation of this has always existed in my .zshrc. Originally titled "k.sh".

kubectx, a popular utility that serves a similar function, is a choice between a ~250 line shell script or a compiled Go binary.

k.env is about a dozen lines of POSIX.

Simple is better.

Inspired by @ibuildthecloud's tweet, built by Matt at Soluble.ai.