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kubectl get nodesKubernetes Node Debugging Cheat Sheet
Diagnose node readiness, kubelet issues, pressure conditions, cordon/drain, and node-level debugging with kubectl debug.
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Node Health and Conditions
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kubectl describe node <node>bash
kubectl get node <node> -o yamlbash
kubectl top node <node>bash
kubectl top nodesList key node conditions
Compact view for Ready and pressure-related conditions.
bashANYnodesconditions
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kubectl get nodes -o custom-columns=NAME:.metadata.name,READY:.status.conditions[?(@.type=="Ready")].status,MEM:.status.conditions[?(@.type=="MemoryPressure")].status,DISK:.status.conditions[?(@.type=="DiskPressure")].status,PID:.status.conditions[?(@.type=="PIDPressure")].statusNode Debug Shell
Open a debug shell on a node
Create a privileged debug pod on the node for investigation.
bashANYdebugnodes
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kubectl debug node/<node> -it --image=busybox:1.36Open a richer debug shell on a node
Use a fuller image when you need common networking tools.
bashANYdebugnodes
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kubectl debug node/<node> -it --image=ubuntu:24.04Chroot into the host filesystem
After opening a node debug shell, enter the host rootfs.
bashANYdebughost
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chroot /hostRead kubelet logs from the node
Inside a node shell on systemd-based hosts, inspect kubelet logs.
bashANYkubeletlogs
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journalctl -u kubelet --no-pager | tail -n 200bash
crictl ps -abash
crictl podsScheduling and Maintenance
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kubectl cordon <node>bash
kubectl uncordon <node>bash
kubectl drain <node> --ignore-daemonsets --delete-emptydir-databash
kubectl get pods -A --field-selector spec.nodeName=<node> -o widebash
kubectl get daemonsets -AControl Plane and System Pods
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kubectl get pods -n kube-system -o wideDescribe kube-proxy pod
Inspect node networking agent events and status.
bashANYkube-proxynetworking
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kubectl describe pod -n kube-system <kube-proxy-pod>bash
kubectl logs -n kube-system <kube-proxy-pod>bash
kubectl get pods -n kube-system | grep -i node-problem-detectorMore in Kubernetes Debugging
Kubernetes Logs and Events Cheat Sheet
Find pod logs, previous container logs, event timelines, kube-system logs, and cluster incident evidence quickly.
Kubernetes Network Debugging Cheat Sheet
Debug Services, DNS, Ingress, network policies, connectivity, endpoints, and port-forwarding issues.
Kubernetes Pod Debugging Cheat Sheet
Troubleshoot Pending, CrashLoopBackOff, image pull, readiness, liveness, and init container problems.
Kubernetes Debugging Cheat Sheet
Core kubectl troubleshooting commands for pods, deployments, services, events, logs, exec sessions, and ephemeral debugging.