Kubernetes continues to be the cornerstone for container orchestration, and kubectl serves as the command-line interface that interacts with your Kubernetes cluster. In 2025, kubectl has enhanced its utility by expanding features to display information in ways that suit different use cases. One feature that has gained traction is kubectl custom columns. This article will delve into what kubectl custom columns are and how you can leverage them effectively.

What Are Kubectl Custom Columns?

kubectl custom columns allow users to customize the data output of commands by specifying exactly which columns of information are displayed. This powerful feature enables developers and operators to tailor the view of resources like pods, nodes, or services without sifting through unrelated data, thus enhancing productivity and focus.

Key Advantages:

1. Tailored Data Views: Eliminating unnecessary information leads to better decision-making.
2. Improved Reporting: Custom columns allow specific data points to be extracted, formatted, and used in reports.
3. Streamlined Operations: Developers can quickly access the information that is most relevant to their tasks, making debugging and monitoring more efficient.

How to Use Kubectl Custom Columns

To utilize kubectl custom columns, you need to define a column template. This template specifies how the output should be structured.

Syntax

The basic syntax for using custom columns is:

kubectl get <resource> -o custom-columns=<column-name>:<json-path>

Example

Suppose you want to list all pods in your namespace along with their respective statuses. You can do so by running:

kubectl get pods -o custom-columns=NAME:.metadata.name,STATUS:.status.phase

This command will output a table with the names and status of all pods in the current namespace.

Common Use Cases

1. Resource Monitoring: Quickly assess the status and performance metrics of your Kubernetes resources.
2. Data Integration: Export customized data sets to integrate with external systems for further processing or storage.
3. Compliance Auditing: Extract specific attributes of a resource for compliance checks and audits with minimal effort.

Kubectl Custom Columns Best Practices

• Stay Organized: Group related or frequently used fields together in your custom column templates.
• Use Aliases: For complex queries, use shell aliases to simplify execution and improve readability.
• Automate: Implement scripting capabilities to incorporate kubectl custom columns in your DevOps pipelines.

Conclusion

kubectl custom columns in 2025 continues to be an invaluable tool in the Kubernetes ecosystem. By providing more flexible and concise data views, it empowers engineers to work more effectively and make data-driven decisions faster. Whether you are monitoring your clusters, generating reports, or automating scripts, custom columns offer a solution that fits your specific needs.

To get started with kubectl, particularly in environments like PowerShell, you might want to check this detailed guide on installing kubectl in PowerShell.

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Incorporating these practices will ensure that you harness the full potential of Kubernetes in your DevOps lifecycle, keeping you ahead in the fast-paced tech industry of 2025.