kubectl describe

SafeDescribe resource/events

kubectl describe pod <pod> -n <ns>

Shows details and events for a resource; key for crash/start failures.

Examples

kubectl describe pod web-xyz -n prodDiagnose why a pod won't start

Syntax

kubectl describe <type> <name> -n <ns>

Before you run it

Read-only.

Used when you see

Service won't start / keeps crashing

If K8s, check eventsInspect events via describe

See the whole flow →

Pod stuck in CrashLoopBackOff

Inspect events and exit reasons (e.g. OOMKilled)

See the whole flow →

ImagePullBackOff

Get the exact pull error from describeTypos, registry auth and rate limits are the big three.

See the whole flow →

Node is NotReady

Check node Conditions in describeLook at MemoryPressure, DiskPressure, PIDPressure.

See the whole flow →

Related commands

kubectl get podsList pods
kubectl logsPod logs

The same reference, with no signal at all

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