The aws, eksctl and kubectl commands you will use weekly on EKS.

cluster and access

aws eks list-clusters
aws eks describe-cluster --name N
aws eks update-kubeconfig --name N
aws eks create-access-entry \
  --cluster-name N --principal-arn ARN
aws eks associate-access-policy ...
aws eks update-cluster-config \
  --name N --logging '{...}'
aws eks list-insights --cluster-name N
eksctl get cluster

nodes and add-ons

aws eks list-nodegroups --cluster-name N
aws eks update-nodegroup-version ...
aws eks describe-addon-versions \
  --kubernetes-version V
aws eks update-addon --cluster-name N \
  --addon-name A --resolve-conflicts PRESERVE
aws eks describe-addon ... --query addon.health
kubectl get nodepools,nodeclaims
kubectl logs -n kube-system \
  -l app.kubernetes.io/name=karpenter

identity and network

aws eks create-pod-identity-association ...
aws eks list-pod-identity-associations \
  --cluster-name N
kubectl get sa,securitygrouppolicy -A
kubectl get ingress,gateway,httproute -A
kubectl -n kube-system get ds aws-node
kubectl describe node X | grep -i pods
aws ec2 describe-subnets \
  --query 'Subnets[].AvailableIpAddressCount'

Prefer IaC for changes

Use the CLI to inspect and for emergencies. Make changes through Terraform so they are reviewed and repeatable.

Flags evolve

Check aws eks help for your CLI version; subcommands and options change.