The Easiest Way to Learn Kubernetes in 2026 (Set Up in 2 Minutes)

If you are learning Kubernetes right now If you are learning Kubernetes right now or you're going to be learning it this or you're going to be learning it this or you're going to be learning it this winter, then this video is for you winter, then this video is for you winter, then this video is for you because I'm going to show you the because I'm going to show you the because I'm going to show you the easiest and fastest way to get a easiest and fastest way to get a easiest and fastest way to get a Kubernetes cluster up and running. And Kubernetes cluster up and running. And Kubernetes cluster up and running. And the tool I'm going to be recommending to the tool I'm going to be recommending to the tool I'm going to be recommending to you is not what you think. It's not mini you is not what you think. It's not mini you is not what you think. It's not mini cube. It's not Kind. It's not K3S. No, cube. It's not Kind. It's not K3S. No, cube. It's not Kind. It's not K3S. No, it is Rancher Desktop. Rancher Desktop it is Rancher Desktop. Rancher Desktop it is Rancher Desktop. Rancher Desktop is an open-source completely free is an open-source completely free is an open-source completely free program created by Souza which enables program created by Souza which enables program created by Souza which enables container management and Kubernetes on container management and Kubernetes on container management and Kubernetes on the desktop. It works on Apple Silicon. the desktop. It works on Apple Silicon. the desktop. It works on Apple Silicon. It works on Apple Intel, Windows, and It works on Apple Intel, Windows, and It works on Apple Intel, Windows, and Linux. It works absolutely everywhere. Linux. It works absolutely everywhere. Linux. It works absolutely everywhere. And it is super easy to get started with And it is super easy to get started with And it is super easy to get started with this. And that's the thing that most this. And that's the thing that most this. And that's the thing that most people get wrong. You see, most people people get wrong. You see, most people people get wrong. You see, most people when they set out on their Kubernetes when they set out on their Kubernetes when they set out on their Kubernetes learning journey, then they're going to learning journey, then they're going to learning journey, then they're going to look in the Kubernetes documentation and look in the Kubernetes documentation and look in the Kubernetes documentation and then they're going to see cubeadm or then they're going to see cubeadm or then they're going to see cubeadm or they're going to watch some of my they're going to watch some of my they're going to watch some of my Kubernetes home lab videos and then Kubernetes home lab videos and then Kubernetes home lab videos and then they're going to spend time on setting they're going to spend time on setting they're going to spend time on setting up K3s. But all of that takes a lot of up K3s. But all of that takes a lot of up K3s. But all of that takes a lot of time and it brings with it the risk that time and it brings with it the risk that time and it brings with it the risk that you're going to get frustrated when it you're going to get frustrated when it you're going to get frustrated when it doesn't work and then you're going to doesn't work and then you're going to doesn't work and then you're going to give up on the endeavor altogether. So give up on the endeavor altogether. So give up on the endeavor altogether. So if your goal is to learn Kubernetes, if your goal is to learn Kubernetes, if your goal is to learn Kubernetes, then it is extremely important that you then it is extremely important that you then it is extremely important that you get a Kubernetes cluster up and running get a Kubernetes cluster up and running get a Kubernetes cluster up and running as fast as possible with as little as fast as possible with as little as fast as possible with as little problems as possible. And when I say it problems as possible. And when I say it problems as possible. And when I say it like this, you might think, well, hello like this, you might think, well, hello like this, you might think, well, hello Captain Obvious. But most people don't Captain Obvious. But most people don't Captain Obvious. But most people don't think about this. Like if you want to think about this. Like if you want to think about this. Like if you want to learn Kubernetes, all you need is a cube learn Kubernetes, all you need is a cube learn Kubernetes, all you need is a cube API server to talk to. And how you get API server to talk to. And how you get API server to talk to. And how you get that isn't really important as long as that isn't really important as long as that isn't really important as long as you have control over it. One thing I

you have control over it. One thing I you have control over it. One thing I will say is that I don't usually will say is that I don't usually will say is that I don't usually recommend using browser labs. I think recommend using browser labs. I think recommend using browser labs. I think it's much better to have control over it's much better to have control over it's much better to have control over your own cluster and to be able to your own cluster and to be able to your own cluster and to be able to modify it to deploy things to it to modify it to deploy things to it to modify it to deploy things to it to reset it etc. I think that's much better reset it etc. I think that's much better reset it etc. I think that's much better to have that running on your local to have that running on your local to have that running on your local machine or in your home lab rather than machine or in your home lab rather than machine or in your home lab rather than using the browser. But other than that, using the browser. But other than that, using the browser. But other than that, it is about getting a Kubernetes cluster it is about getting a Kubernetes cluster it is about getting a Kubernetes cluster running locally as fast as possible. And running locally as fast as possible. And running locally as fast as possible. And Rancher Desktop is the tool for that. Rancher Desktop is the tool for that. Rancher Desktop is the tool for that. So, we're going to be walking through So, we're going to be walking through So, we're going to be walking through the tool and I'm going to show you how the tool and I'm going to show you how the tool and I'm going to show you how to get started with this on the command to get started with this on the command to get started with this on the command line. But before I do that, I want to line. But before I do that, I want to line. But before I do that, I want to explain to you why I'm so confident in explain to you why I'm so confident in explain to you why I'm so confident in recommending this. So, I'm a senior recommending this. So, I'm a senior recommending this. So, I'm a senior DevOps engineer by trade and these days DevOps engineer by trade and these days DevOps engineer by trade and these days I spend all my time on coaching IT I spend all my time on coaching IT I spend all my time on coaching IT professionals into six-figure DevOps professionals into six-figure DevOps professionals into six-figure DevOps careers. And in order to do this, I careers. And in order to do this, I careers. And in order to do this, I built something called the CubeCraft built something called the CubeCraft built something called the CubeCraft Career Accelerator. And as you can see, Career Accelerator. And as you can see, Career Accelerator. And as you can see, we have over 834 members. And in the we have over 834 members. And in the we have over 834 members. And in the name, you can see there's CubeCraft. So name, you can see there's CubeCraft. So name, you can see there's CubeCraft. So we teach the craft of the Kubernetes we teach the craft of the Kubernetes we teach the craft of the Kubernetes engineer. So we mainly work with IT engineer. So we mainly work with IT engineer. So we mainly work with IT professionals like support engineers, professionals like support engineers, professionals like support engineers, CIS admins, and software engineers who CIS admins, and software engineers who CIS admins, and software engineers who want to make a change towards DevOps want to make a change towards DevOps want to make a change towards DevOps engineering. And we focus on Kubernetes engineering. And we focus on Kubernetes engineering. And we focus on Kubernetes for this because Kubernetes is the for this because Kubernetes is the for this because Kubernetes is the future of software deployment. So just future of software deployment. So just future of software deployment. So just in this one week we've landed 1 2 3 4 in this one week we've landed 1 2 3 4 in this one week we've landed 1 2 3 4 five jobs. Five jobs in one week. So five jobs. Five jobs in one week. So five jobs. Five jobs in one week. So well over a thousand people have gone well over a thousand people have gone well over a thousand people have gone through this program learned Kubernetes through this program learned Kubernetes through this program learned Kubernetes following my teachings. And one of these following my teachings. And one of these following my teachings. And one of these teachings is to use rancher desktop. Now teachings is to use rancher desktop. Now teachings is to use rancher desktop. Now what sets CubeCraft apart from some sort

what sets CubeCraft apart from some sort what sets CubeCraft apart from some sort of Udemy course is that I am in here of Udemy course is that I am in here of Udemy course is that I am in here providing support every single day. providing support every single day. providing support every single day. Seven days a week I'm here answering Seven days a week I'm here answering Seven days a week I'm here answering questions and doing mentorship calls. So questions and doing mentorship calls. So questions and doing mentorship calls. So if I were to recommend a tool that's if I were to recommend a tool that's if I were to recommend a tool that's going to lead to lots of problems and going to lead to lots of problems and going to lead to lots of problems and lots of issues when people are starting lots of issues when people are starting lots of issues when people are starting out learning Kubernetes then I would be out learning Kubernetes then I would be out learning Kubernetes then I would be generating a lot of work for myself. But generating a lot of work for myself. But generating a lot of work for myself. But I can tell you in almost 3 years I've I can tell you in almost 3 years I've I can tell you in almost 3 years I've had maybe two or three people so well had maybe two or three people so well had maybe two or three people so well over a thousand people have done this over a thousand people have done this over a thousand people have done this almost I think about three people ever almost I think about three people ever almost I think about three people ever had an issue with Rancher Desktop. So I had an issue with Rancher Desktop. So I had an issue with Rancher Desktop. So I think that is a real testimony to the think that is a real testimony to the think that is a real testimony to the efficiency and the stability of this efficiency and the stability of this efficiency and the stability of this tool and how easy it is to get started tool and how easy it is to get started tool and how easy it is to get started with this. So this recommendation comes with this. So this recommendation comes with this. So this recommendation comes from actual hands-on experience of from actual hands-on experience of from actual hands-on experience of teaching well over a thousand DevOps teaching well over a thousand DevOps teaching well over a thousand DevOps engineers, which frankly almost nobody engineers, which frankly almost nobody engineers, which frankly almost nobody on YouTube has done. So now we know why on YouTube has done. So now we know why on YouTube has done. So now we know why it's such a good tool. Let's take a look it's such a good tool. Let's take a look it's such a good tool. Let's take a look at Rancher Desktop. Oh, by the way, if at Rancher Desktop. Oh, by the way, if at Rancher Desktop. Oh, by the way, if you're watching this as an IT you're watching this as an IT you're watching this as an IT professional and you want to make a professional and you want to make a professional and you want to make a change to DevOps, then check out the change to DevOps, then check out the change to DevOps, then check out the links in the description. Maybe I can links in the description. Maybe I can links in the description. Maybe I can help you, too. So Rancher Desktop, what help you, too. So Rancher Desktop, what help you, too. So Rancher Desktop, what I really like about it is that it's I really like about it is that it's I really like about it is that it's really bare bones. It's really no fluff.

really bare bones. It's really no fluff. really bare bones. It's really no fluff. There's only really does one job and it There's only really does one job and it There's only really does one job and it does it well. In that sense, it's really does it well. In that sense, it's really does it well. In that sense, it's really aligned with the Unix philosophy. So aligned with the Unix philosophy. So aligned with the Unix philosophy. So that's not a very fancy UI, but it does that's not a very fancy UI, but it does that's not a very fancy UI, but it does the job. And honestly, when you're the job. And honestly, when you're the job. And honestly, when you're working with Rancher Desktop, you are working with Rancher Desktop, you are working with Rancher Desktop, you are not in the UI as much. So to install not in the UI as much. So to install not in the UI as much. So to install this on a silicon Mac, I'm recording this on a silicon Mac, I'm recording this on a silicon Mac, I'm recording this on a silicon Mac today. To install this on a silicon Mac today. To install this on a silicon Mac today. To install this, you literally just go to the this, you literally just go to the this, you literally just go to the Rancher desktop website. You download Rancher desktop website. You download Rancher desktop website. You download it, you run it, and it works. And then it, you run it, and it works. And then it, you run it, and it works. And then when you open it, you get this UI. And when you open it, you get this UI. And when you open it, you get this UI. And what's good about this is that this also what's good about this is that this also what's good about this is that this also gives you a container runtime. So gives you a container runtime. So gives you a container runtime. So getting a container runtime on a silicon getting a container runtime on a silicon getting a container runtime on a silicon Mac is sometimes a bit of a challenge. Mac is sometimes a bit of a challenge. Mac is sometimes a bit of a challenge. Uh you have Docker Desktop for this, Uh you have Docker Desktop for this, Uh you have Docker Desktop for this, which works quite well. But then you which works quite well. But then you which works quite well. But then you have the issue with the license if have the issue with the license if have the issue with the license if you're using it for work, etc. So you you're using it for work, etc. So you you're using it for work, etc. So you don't have any of those problems with don't have any of those problems with don't have any of those problems with rancher desktop. So if you install this, rancher desktop. So if you install this, rancher desktop. So if you install this, you have Docker or let's say container you have Docker or let's say container you have Docker or let's say container runtime, and you have a Kubernetes runtime, and you have a Kubernetes runtime, and you have a Kubernetes cluster up and running. So yeah, the UI cluster up and running. So yeah, the UI cluster up and running. So yeah, the UI is pretty bare bones. It will port is pretty bare bones. It will port is pretty bare bones. It will port forwarding for you. I'll show you that forwarding for you. I'll show you that forwarding for you. I'll show you that in a second. You have images. in a second. You have images. in a second. You have images. Troubleshooting is pretty decent. You Troubleshooting is pretty decent. You Troubleshooting is pretty decent. You can show some logs, diagnostics, and can show some logs, diagnostics, and can show some logs, diagnostics, and there are extensions. I mean, I've never there are extensions. I mean, I've never there are extensions. I mean, I've never used any of these, but it is pretty used any of these, but it is pretty used any of these, but it is pretty interesting that that they are there. So interesting that that they are there. So interesting that that they are there. So the UI is pretty straightforward, but the UI is pretty straightforward, but the UI is pretty straightforward, but when you run it, what do you get? So I when you run it, what do you get? So I when you run it, what do you get? So I literally started Rancher Desktop, and literally started Rancher Desktop, and literally started Rancher Desktop, and this will also install cubectl on your this will also install cubectl on your this will also install cubectl on your system, and it will also modify your system, and it will also modify your system, and it will also modify your Zshell RC or your bash rc file. And Zshell RC or your bash rc file. And Zshell RC or your bash rc file. And yeah, I'm not a big fan of that, but it yeah, I'm not a big fan of that, but it yeah, I'm not a big fan of that, but it will it should be working out of the will it should be working out of the will it should be working out of the box. So if I now do k get pods, then we box. So if I now do k get pods, then we box. So if I now do k get pods, then we see no resources found in the default see no resources found in the default

see no resources found in the default name space. If I do k get all- a name space. If I do k get all- a name space. If I do k get all- a bunch of resources up and running on our bunch of resources up and running on our bunch of resources up and running on our local kubernetes cluster. So what's good local kubernetes cluster. So what's good local kubernetes cluster. So what's good about this is that it includes all of about this is that it includes all of about this is that it includes all of the core components like core DNS, local the core components like core DNS, local the core components like core DNS, local path provisioner, so you can play with path provisioner, so you can play with path provisioner, so you can play with storage and it also includes traffic storage and it also includes traffic storage and it also includes traffic already, which is really good. So now already, which is really good. So now already, which is really good. So now that we have a Kubernetes cluster, what that we have a Kubernetes cluster, what that we have a Kubernetes cluster, what we can do is we can let's create a we can do is we can let's create a we can do is we can let's create a deployment engineext deployment engineext deployment engineext image is engine X. Of course, I don't image is engine X. Of course, I don't image is engine X. Of course, I don't have any fantasy. So we do engine X have any fantasy. So we do engine X have any fantasy. So we do engine X replicas equals 3. So if I now do K get replicas equals 3. So if I now do K get replicas equals 3. So if I now do K get pods again, we will see that we have a pods again, we will see that we have a pods again, we will see that we have a few pods running being created already. few pods running being created already. few pods running being created already. Now let's check out the port forwarding Now let's check out the port forwarding Now let's check out the port forwarding then. So if I do k expose deploy and then. So if I do k expose deploy and then. So if I do k expose deploy and then engine x then I'll do the port 3000 then engine x then I'll do the port 3000 then engine x then I'll do the port 3000 and then target port 80. K get pods then and then target port 80. K get pods then and then target port 80. K get pods then okay get svc. So now we see that we have okay get svc. So now we see that we have okay get svc. So now we see that we have a cluster IP service that is forwarding a cluster IP service that is forwarding a cluster IP service that is forwarding 3000 to 80. But right now it is still a 3000 to 80. But right now it is still a 3000 to 80. But right now it is still a cluster IP. So if I do kport forward cluster IP. So if I do kport forward cluster IP. So if I do kport forward then I could port forward. But what's then I could port forward. But what's then I could port forward. But what's really cool is that wrencher desktop has really cool is that wrencher desktop has really cool is that wrencher desktop has service lb built in. So what that means service lb built in. So what that means service lb built in. So what that means is if I do edit the service and if I is if I do edit the service and if I is if I do edit the service and if I scroll down to the type of the service scroll down to the type of the service scroll down to the type of the service and I change this to load balancer and and I change this to load balancer and and I change this to load balancer and if I do k get svc now then we see that if I do k get svc now then we see that if I do k get svc now then we see that the service now has an external IP. So the service now has an external IP. So the service now has an external IP. So if I scroll back up here we see that if I scroll back up here we see that if I scroll back up here we see that there was no external IP here earlier there was no external IP here earlier there was no external IP here earlier and if I scroll down now this has

and if I scroll down now this has and if I scroll down now this has received a an external IP. So if I do k received a an external IP. So if I do k received a an external IP. So if I do k get pods on the entire cluster then you get pods on the entire cluster then you get pods on the entire cluster then you will see a interesting pod here which is will see a interesting pod here which is will see a interesting pod here which is called svcb engineext. So that's a neat called svcb engineext. So that's a neat called svcb engineext. So that's a neat little feature that's included in little feature that's included in little feature that's included in rancher desktop and actually it's a k3s rancher desktop and actually it's a k3s rancher desktop and actually it's a k3s feature because under the hood all feature because under the hood all feature because under the hood all rancher desktop is is k3s. That's what rancher desktop is is k3s. That's what rancher desktop is is k3s. That's what it's running under the hood. But what it's running under the hood. But what it's running under the hood. But what this does is it creates a helper pod so this does is it creates a helper pod so this does is it creates a helper pod so that you get an external IP. So if I now that you get an external IP. So if I now that you get an external IP. So if I now without doing cube kport forward, so I without doing cube kport forward, so I without doing cube kport forward, so I don't I'm not port forwarding anything, don't I'm not port forwarding anything, don't I'm not port forwarding anything, but if I now go to my browser and I do but if I now go to my browser and I do but if I now go to my browser and I do localhost 3000, then now we see welcome localhost 3000, then now we see welcome localhost 3000, then now we see welcome to engine X. So that's a really neat to engine X. So that's a really neat to engine X. So that's a really neat feature that I don't need to have my feature that I don't need to have my feature that I don't need to have my terminal open like this. I can literally terminal open like this. I can literally terminal open like this. I can literally run applications on this local cluster run applications on this local cluster run applications on this local cluster if I wanted to in Kubernetes and have if I wanted to in Kubernetes and have if I wanted to in Kubernetes and have them port forwarded all the time. And them port forwarded all the time. And them port forwarded all the time. And when I open the rancher desktop UI, you when I open the rancher desktop UI, you when I open the rancher desktop UI, you will see that this port forward is also will see that this port forward is also will see that this port forward is also visible in the port forwarding overview visible in the port forwarding overview visible in the port forwarding overview here. So all of that is really neat. And here. So all of that is really neat. And here. So all of that is really neat. And now I'll show you one of the best now I'll show you one of the best now I'll show you one of the best features of Rancher Desktop. Especially features of Rancher Desktop. Especially features of Rancher Desktop. Especially if you are learning because what Rancher if you are learning because what Rancher if you are learning because what Rancher Desktop does is if you go to the Desktop does is if you go to the Desktop does is if you go to the troubleshooting, you can literally do troubleshooting, you can literally do troubleshooting, you can literally do reset Kubernetes reset and it's going to reset Kubernetes reset and it's going to reset Kubernetes reset and it's going to delete the cluster for you and it's delete the cluster for you and it's delete the cluster for you and it's going to give you a completely fresh going to give you a completely fresh going to give you a completely fresh start. I cannot overstate how useful start. I cannot overstate how useful start. I cannot overstate how useful this is if you are in the beginning of this is if you are in the beginning of this is if you are in the beginning of your learning journey because this is your learning journey because this is your learning journey because this is going to give you a playground where you

going to give you a playground where you going to give you a playground where you can literally apply manifests. You can can literally apply manifests. You can can literally apply manifests. You can mess things up. You can experiment to mess things up. You can experiment to mess things up. You can experiment to your heart's content and then you know your heart's content and then you know your heart's content and then you know that anytime you can just go and reset that anytime you can just go and reset that anytime you can just go and reset Kubernetes and within I've been talking Kubernetes and within I've been talking Kubernetes and within I've been talking maybe for 30 seconds now. It's taking a maybe for 30 seconds now. It's taking a maybe for 30 seconds now. It's taking a few seconds more and then I'm going to few seconds more and then I'm going to few seconds more and then I'm going to have a completely fresh Kubernetes have a completely fresh Kubernetes have a completely fresh Kubernetes cluster up and running and it's done. So cluster up and running and it's done. So cluster up and running and it's done. So if I go to my browser now and I refresh, if I go to my browser now and I refresh, if I go to my browser now and I refresh, I won't get a any response. And if I go I won't get a any response. And if I go I won't get a any response. And if I go back to my terminal and I do kg pods back to my terminal and I do kg pods back to my terminal and I do kg pods now, then we see that the default name now, then we see that the default name now, then we see that the default name space is gone. There's no there's no space is gone. There's no there's no space is gone. There's no there's no deployment anything. It's completely deployment anything. It's completely deployment anything. It's completely fresh. And if I do ketall- a, then we fresh. And if I do ketall- a, then we fresh. And if I do ketall- a, then we see that the age of the current pods see that the age of the current pods see that the age of the current pods here is only 38 seconds of all of the here is only 38 seconds of all of the here is only 38 seconds of all of the Kubernetes components. So this is Kubernetes components. So this is Kubernetes components. So this is extremely useful if you are in the very extremely useful if you are in the very extremely useful if you are in the very very beginning and you're just starting very beginning and you're just starting very beginning and you're just starting out with learning Kubernetes that you out with learning Kubernetes that you out with learning Kubernetes that you can have this up and running within a can have this up and running within a can have this up and running within a minute like you install Rancher Desktop. minute like you install Rancher Desktop. minute like you install Rancher Desktop. You can start running cubectl commands You can start running cubectl commands You can start running cubectl commands within a couple of minutes. You are have within a couple of minutes. You are have within a couple of minutes. You are have the ability to reset your cluster at a the ability to reset your cluster at a the ability to reset your cluster at a moment's notice and be up and running moment's notice and be up and running moment's notice and be up and running again in 30 seconds. Plus you have a again in 30 seconds. Plus you have a again in 30 seconds. Plus you have a fully functional container runtime. So fully functional container runtime. So fully functional container runtime. So if I do docker run hello world then it's if I do docker run hello world then it's if I do docker run hello world then it's going to pull that image and it's going going to pull that image and it's going going to pull that image and it's going to say hello from docker. Now maybe to say hello from docker. Now maybe to say hello from docker. Now maybe things have changed but a couple of things have changed but a couple of things have changed but a couple of years ago it was actually not easy to years ago it was actually not easy to years ago it was actually not easy to get this up and running on silicon Mac.

get this up and running on silicon Mac. get this up and running on silicon Mac. You need to do quite a few tricks and You need to do quite a few tricks and You need to do quite a few tricks and but with rancher desktop it just works but with rancher desktop it just works but with rancher desktop it just works out of the box. By the way if you want out of the box. By the way if you want out of the box. By the way if you want to land a DevOps job I have a free gift to land a DevOps job I have a free gift to land a DevOps job I have a free gift for you. There's a DevOps road map in for you. There's a DevOps road map in for you. There's a DevOps road map in the description below. It's completely the description below. It's completely the description below. It's completely for free. Me and my team have been for free. Me and my team have been for free. Me and my team have been working a lot on this and the result is working a lot on this and the result is working a lot on this and the result is really good. It will tell you where you really good. It will tell you where you really good. It will tell you where you are stuck in your career and what you are stuck in your career and what you are stuck in your career and what you should do about it. So check it out. should do about it. So check it out. should do about it. So check it out. It's completely for free. And that's it It's completely for free. And that's it It's completely for free. And that's it for Rancher Desktop. I still use it to for Rancher Desktop. I still use it to for Rancher Desktop. I still use it to this day. It works on Mac OS, Windows, this day. It works on Mac OS, Windows, this day. It works on Mac OS, Windows, and Linux. It works everywhere. So if and Linux. It works everywhere. So if and Linux. It works everywhere. So if you're learning Kubernetes or if you're you're learning Kubernetes or if you're you're learning Kubernetes or if you're going to learn it this winter, then going to learn it this winter, then going to learn it this winter, then check out Rancher Desktop. Thank you so check out Rancher Desktop. Thank you so check out Rancher Desktop. Thank you so much for watching and I'll see you in much for watching and I'll see you in much for watching and I'll see you in the next