Setting up for k8s development

Start in your browser

You already have everything you need for the course's simulated exercises. From lesson 5 onward, use the terminal alongside the lesson (on a phone, switch between Lesson and Terminal). Type help to see supported commands. No cloud account, installation, or credentials are required.

The simulator models Kubernetes resources. It does not execute Docker, install software, or start an application on your computer. Each lesson has an independent starting state, and Reset lets you repeat it.

Optional: a real local environment

The tools below are for the optional local deployment. You can read this section now and install them later. Installation commands belong in your computer's terminal, not the course simulator.

Install Docker

Docker will allow you to build and run containers. You can download Docker Desktop from the Docker website and follow the instructions to install it on your machine. Note that Docker Desktop requires a paid subscription for larger organizations. Alternatives such as Colima, Rancher Desktop, or Podman Desktop also work.

Install kubectl

Kubectl is the command-line tool for interacting with Kubernetes. You can install it using a package manager or by downloading the binary from the Kubernetes website.

Verify with kubectl version --client.

Install Helm

Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that allows you to define, install, and manage applications on Kubernetes clusters. It provides a templating system for defining application components and their dependencies. This makes it easier to deploy complex applications and manage their configurations.

Verify with helm version.