Kubernetes core tools

• kubectl: 
  The primary command-line tool for interacting with a Kubernetes cluster. You use kubectl to deploy applications, inspect and manage cluster resources, and view logs. It communicates with the Kubernetes API server to perform operations like kubectl create, get, describe, and delete.
• kubeadm: 
  A tool for quickly creating and bootstrapping a “minimum viable” Kubernetes cluster on existing hardware. It sets up the control plane, generates security certificates, and enables worker nodes to join the cluster. Kubeadm is a building block for other, more complex setup tools.
• crictl: 
  A command-line interface for the Container Runtime Interface (CRI)-compatible container runtimes, such as containerd. It is used primarily for debugging and troubleshooting on individual Kubernetes nodes, especially when the Kubernetes API is unavailable. crictl allows you to inspect images and containers directly from the runtime.
• etcdctl: 
  A command-line client for etcd, the consistent and highly-available key-value store that serves as Kubernetes’ backing store for all cluster data. Cluster administrators can use etcdctl to perform crucial tasks like backing up and restoring the cluster’s state. 

Other popular Kubernetes tools

The Kubernetes ecosystem offers a broad range of other tools to simplify, manage, and extend a cluster’s functionality. 

Management and development

• Minikube: 
  A tool that runs a single-node Kubernetes cluster on your local machine for development and testing purposes.
• Helm: 
  The de facto package manager for Kubernetes. Helm uses “charts” to help you define, install, and upgrade applications within your cluster.
• k9s: 
  A terminal-based user interface (TUI) for interacting with your Kubernetes clusters. It provides a real-time, graphical view of your cluster’s resources to simplify management and debugging.
• Lens (OpenLens): 
  A desktop IDE for Kubernetes that offers a visual, graphical interface for managing and monitoring multiple clusters. 

Continuous delivery and GitOps 

• Argo CD: 
  A continuous delivery tool that enforces GitOps practices by continuously syncing your cluster’s state with a Git repository.
• FluxCD: 
  Another GitOps continuous delivery solution that keeps your cluster in sync with configuration in Git. 

Monitoring and observability

• Prometheus: 
  A monitoring and alerting toolkit that collects metrics from your Kubernetes cluster.
• Grafana: 
  A visualization tool often used alongside Prometheus to display Kubernetes metrics and create powerful, customizable dashboards. 

Security

• kube-bench: 
  A tool that checks whether your Kubernetes cluster is configured according to the security best practices defined by the CIS Kubernetes Benchmark.
• kube-hunter: 
  A tool that hunts for security weaknesses in your Kubernetes clusters.
• Falco: 
  A behavioral activity monitor that can detect anomalous activity in your Kubernetes applications at runtime.