Command
kubectl describe deployment <deployment-name>Explanation
The 'kubectl describe deployment' command reveals detailed metadata, rollout history, scaling status, and related events for a deployment. It’s particularly useful for debugging rollout issues or checking whether replica sets are up to date. Events at the bottom of the output highlight scheduling or configuration errors.
Common Use Cases
- •Debug rollout or scaling issues
- •Inspect deployment event logs
- •Check selector labels and replica set relationships
Best Practices
- ✓Use describe output for diagnosing image pull or configuration failures
- ✓Combine with 'kubectl rollout history' for deeper insight into revisions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠Overlooking the 'Events' section where rollout or scheduling errors are reported
- ⚠Confusing deployment issues with pod-level errors — check pods separately too
Troubleshooting
Problem: Deployment stuck during rollout
Solution: Run 'kubectl rollout status deployment/<name>' to monitor rollout progress and detect blocking issues.
Examples
Describe a specific deployment
kubectl describe deployment nginx-deploy