---
title: kubectl Usage Conventions
reviewers:
- janetkuo
content_type: concept
---

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Recommended usage conventions for `kubectl`.


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## Using `kubectl` in Reusable Scripts

For a stable output in a script:

* Request one of the machine-oriented output forms, such as `-o name`, `-o json`, `-o yaml`, `-o go-template`, or `-o jsonpath`.
* Fully-qualify the version. For example, `jobs.v1.batch/myjob`. This will ensure that kubectl does not use its default version that can change over time.
* Don't rely on context, preferences, or other implicit states.

## Best Practices

### `kubectl run`

For `kubectl run` to satisfy infrastructure as code:

* Tag the image with a version-specific tag and don't move that tag to a new version. For example, use `:v1234`, `v1.2.3`, `r03062016-1-4`, rather than `:latest` (For more information, see [Best Practices for Configuration](/docs/concepts/configuration/overview/#container-images)).
* Check in the script for an image that is heavily parameterized.
* Switch to configuration files checked into source control for features that are needed, but not expressible via `kubectl run` flags.

You can use the `--dry-run` flag to preview the object that would be sent to your cluster, without really submitting it.

{{< note >}}
All `kubectl` generators are deprecated. See the Kubernetes v1.17 documentation for a [list](https://v1-17.docs.kubernetes.io/docs/reference/kubectl/conventions/#generators) of generators and how they were used.
{{< /note >}}

#### Generators
You can generate the following resources with a kubectl command, `kubectl create --dry-run -o yaml`:
```
  clusterrole         Create a ClusterRole.
  clusterrolebinding  Create a ClusterRoleBinding for a particular ClusterRole.
  configmap           Create a configmap from a local file, directory or literal value.
  cronjob             Create a cronjob with the specified name.
  deployment          Create a deployment with the specified name.
  job                 Create a job with the specified name.
  namespace           Create a namespace with the specified name.
  poddisruptionbudget Create a pod disruption budget with the specified name.
  priorityclass       Create a priorityclass with the specified name.
  quota               Create a quota with the specified name.
  role                Create a role with single rule.
  rolebinding         Create a RoleBinding for a particular Role or ClusterRole.
  secret              Create a secret using specified subcommand.
  service             Create a service using specified subcommand.
  serviceaccount      Create a service account with the specified name.
```

### `kubectl apply`

* You can use `kubectl apply` to create or update resources. For more information about using kubectl apply to update resources, see [Kubectl Book](https://kubectl.docs.kubernetes.io).