kubectx

kubectx is a command-line utility that simplifies switching between Kubernetes contexts. It functions as a lightweight wrapper around kubectl config use-context, reading the contexts defined in the kubeconfig file (typically at ~/.kube/config) and enabling rapid changes to the active context. When used with an interactive fuzzy finder such as fzf, kubectx presents a searchable list of contexts; if fzf is not installed, it accepts a context name as an argument and switches accordingly. The tool is commonly used alongside kubens, which provides a parallel mechanism for changing the active namespace within the current context.

Key features include quick context switching, optional interactive selection, and straightforward usage without altering kubectl itself. kubectx operates by modifying the current-context field in the kubeconfig, thus not creating new clusters or contexts but simply selecting which one kubectl should use by default.

Installation typically involves obtaining the kubectx pair of scripts (kubectx and kubens) from the project repository and placing them in a directory on the system PATH. On macOS and Linux, it is often installed via package managers or by cloning the repository and installing the scripts manually. The exact method may vary by distribution or package manager, but the core requirement is that the kubectx and kubens scripts be accessible in PATH and that kubectl be installed and configured.

Usage examples include: kubectx my-context to switch directly to a named context; kubectx to trigger interactive selection when fzf is available; and kubens to switch namespaces within the current context. kubectx and kubens are widely used to streamline Kubernetes workflows by reducing the friction of context and namespace management.