toc:true

Asexplained in[Kubernetes deploymentoptions]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/deployment-options-to-kubernetes/), Codefresh has built-in functionality for deploying to Kubernetes clusters.

Asdescribed in[Deploymentoptions for Kubernetes]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/deployment-options-to-kubernetes/), Codefresh has built-in functionality for deploying to Kubernetes clusters.

For maximum flexibility with cluster deployments, you can run your own custom`kubectl` commands in a[freestyle step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/freestyle/).

[Kubectl](https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/kubectl/overview/){:target="\_blank"} is the command line interface for managing kubernetes clusters.

The config context is automatically placed for you at the path of the[variable]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/variables/)`$CF_KUBECONFIG_PATH`.

In the current Codefresh implementation, this expands to`/codefresh/volume/sensitive/.kube/config`, within the[shared step volume]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/introduction-to-codefresh-pipelines/#sharing-the-workspace-between-build-steps).

When you use custom`kubectl` commands, it is your responsibility to template your manifests using any of the available options. To employ Codefresh for templating, it is better to use the dedicated[cf-deploy-kubernetes step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/ci-cd-guides/kubernetes-templating/), which provides simple templating capabilities.

When you use custom`kubectl` commands, it is your responsibility to template your manifests using any of the available options. To employ Codefresh for templating, it is better to use the dedicated[cf-deploy-kubernetes step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/kubernetes-templating/), which provides simple templating capabilities.

In the example above, we select one of the clusters in each deployment step, and then apply several Kubernetes manifests that constitute an application.

[Managingyour cluster]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/manage-kubernetes/)

[Accessing a Docker registry]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/access-docker-registry-from-kubernetes/)

[ManagingKubernetes clusters]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/manage-kubernetes/)

[Accessing a Docker registry from cluster]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/access-docker-registry-from-kubernetes/)

Codefresh offers several options when it comes to Kubernetes deployments:

1. Codefresh UI for ondemand deployments

This is the easiest deployment option for Kubernetes. See our[Kubernetes quick start guide]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/getting-started/deployment-to-kubernetes-quick-start-guide/).

1. Codefresh UI for on-demand deployments

This is the easiest deployment option for Kubernetes. See our[Kubernetesdeploymentquick start]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/quick-start/ci-quickstart/deploy-to-kubernetes/).

1. Through a dedicated[deploy step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/deploy/) in a pipeline

Described in this article.

1. Through the[cf-deploy-kubernetes step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/kubernetes-templating/) in a pipeline

Use this to also perform simple templating on Kubernetes manifests.

1. Through a[freestyle]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/freestyle/) step with[Kustomize](https://kustomize.io){:target="\_blank"}.

1. Through a[freestyle]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/freestyle/) step with[Kustomize](https://kustomize.io){:target="\_blank"}.

See[Deployment with Kustomize]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/example-catalog/cd-examples/deploy-with-kustomize).

1. Using a[freestyle]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/codefresh-yaml/steps/freestyle/) step with your own`kubectl` commands

1. Using a freestyle step with your own`kubectl` commands

This deployment option gives you great flexibility, but assumes that you know how to work with`kubectl`. See[Custom kubectl commands]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/custom-kubectl-commands/).

1. Using Helm as a package manager

See our[Helm quick start guide]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/quick-start/ci-quickstart/deploy-with-helm/).

See our[Helmdeployment to Kubernetesquick start]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/quick-start/ci-quickstart/deploy-with-helm/).

* A K8s cluster in Codefresh (see[Connecting a Kubernetes cluster]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/integrations/kubernetes/#connect-a-kubernetes-cluster/)

* Familiarity with the[Codefresh YAML for pipeline definitions]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/what-is-the-codefresh-yaml/), basic[pipeline steps]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/), and how to describe them

*[Integrate yourDocker registry]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/integrations/docker-registries/)with Codefresh

* A K8s cluster in Codefresh (see[Connecting a Kubernetes cluster]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/integrations/kubernetes/#connect-a-kubernetes-cluster)

* Familiarity with the[Codefresh YAML for pipeline definitions]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/what-is-the-codefresh-yaml/), basic[pipeline steps]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/), and how to describe them

*[Docker registry integration]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/integrations/docker-registries/)in Codefresh

Here is a basic Codefresh pipeline scenario to build and push your image toDockerhub registry.

Here is a basic Codefresh pipeline scenario to build and push your image tothe DockerHub registry.

{% highlight yaml %}

The following instructions describe how to create a new service in your Kubernetes cluster in order to deploy to it.

1. Go to the**`Kubernetes`→`Services page`**.

%}

So now you have deployed your image manually, which is great. But how to trigger the deployment within your pipeline? For that you will need to add a step of a “Deploy” type to the Codefresh YAML manifest file:

So now you have deployed your image manually, which is great.

But, how can you trigger the deployment within your pipeline? For that you will need to add a step of type`Deploy` type to the Codefresh YAML manifest file:

{% highlight yaml %}

{% endraw %}

{% endhighlight %}

You can now run the whole pipeline that builds your application from source to adocker image, pushesitto adocker registry and deploysit to your Kubernetes cluster.

You can now run the whole pipeline, that builds your application from source to aDocker image, pushesthe imageto aDocker registry, and deploysthe image to your Kubernetes cluster.

[Manage your Kubernetes cluster]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/manage-kubernetes/)

max-width="80%"

%}

With the graphical dashboard it is very easy to locate problematic services or deploy new ones quickly. If there are clusters that are not accessible to your user you can hide them by enabling the*Hide inaccessible clusters* option at the top right of the window in order to simplify the view.

With the graphical dashboard, it is very easy to locate problematic services or deploy new ones quickly. If there are clusters that are not accessible to your user, you can hide them by enabling the*Hide inaccessible clusters* option at the top right of the window in order to simplify the view.

{% include image.html

lightbox="true"

file="/images/kubernetes/dashboard/grid-view.png"

url="/images/kubernetes/dashboard/grid-view.png"

file="/images/kubernetes/grid-view.png"

url="/images/kubernetes/grid-view.png"

alt="Kubernetes Dashboard grid view"

caption="Kubernetes Dashboard grid view"

max-width="80%"

%}

Use the following steps in order to add Image and pull secrets from the[connected Docker Registry]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/docker-registries/external-docker-registries/):

Use the following steps in order to add Image and pull secrets from the connected Docker Registry:

* Specify the image name in the format`<DOMAIN>/<ACCOUNT>/<IMAGE>:<TAG>`

* Provide and image pull secret - this will be done for each namespace

1. The dedicated[deploy step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/pipelines/steps/deploy/) in a pipeline.

1. The[cf-deploy-kubernetes step]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/kubernetes-templating/) in a pipeline. This can also perform simple templating on Kubernetes manifests.

See morechoices in the[Deployment optionspage]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/deployment-options-to-kubernetes/).

Read more[Deployment optionsfor Kubernetes]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/deployment-options-to-kubernetes/).

[Environment dashboard]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/environment-dashboard/)

[Environment dashboard]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/deployments/kubernetes/environment-dashboard/)

[Add Config Maps]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/ci-cd-guides/add-config-maps-to-your-namespaces/)

[Kubernetes deployment quick start]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/getting-started/deployment-to-kubernetes-quick-start-guide/)

[Kubernetes deployment quick start]({{site.baseurl}}/docs/quick-start/ci-quickstart/deploy-to-kubernetes/)