kubix project post

Author: orez-rj

_posts/2025-08-01-kubix-project.md

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+---
+title: "Kubix: A Smarter CLI Wrapper for kubectl"
+classes: wide
+header:
+  teaser: /assets/images/posts/kubix-logo.png
+  overlay_image: /assets/images/posts/kubix-logo.png
+  overlay_filter: 0.3
+ribbon: DarkSlateGray
+excerpt: "Kubix is a Rust-powered CLI wrapper around kubectl that simplifies your Kubernetes workflow with smart aliases and powerful UX."
+description: "Introducing Kubix - a lightweight, user-friendly CLI built in Rust to boost kubectl productivity. Learn why and how it was built, and how to use it."
+categories:
+  - Projects
+  - Kubernetes
+tags:
+  - Rust
+  - Kubernetes
+  - CLI
+  - Open Source
+  - Dev Tools
+  - kubectl
+toc: true
+toc_sticky: true
+toc_label: "Kubix Guide"
+toc_icon: "terminal"
+---
+
+# Meet Kubix 🧩
+
+Kubix is a smart CLI wrapper around `kubectl`, written in *Rust*, that helps you run common Kubernetes commands faster and more intuitively.
+
+👉 [GitHub Repo](https://github.com/orez-rj/kubix/tree/main)
+
+## Why I Built It
+
+I wanted to learn Rust. I also wanted to streamline my everyday work with `kubectl`, which often involves typing long repetitive commands and switching contexts or namespaces.
+
+Sure, there are existing scripts and even tools like `kubectl ai`, but building *yet another wrapper* gave me the hands-on experience I needed, and a way to tailor the tool exactly to how I work. No better way to learn a language than solving a problem you care about.
+
+## What Kubix Does
+
+Kubix acts as a shortcut layer on top of `kubectl`. It offers:
+
+- **Faster, cleaner commands** for common tasks (e.g., `kubix pods` instead of `kubectl get pods`)
+- **Context-aware behavior** for easier switching between clusters and namespaces
+- **Aliased commands** for logs, exec, describe, delete, and more
+- **Powerful CLI UX** thanks to Rust's blazing performance and the [`clap`](https://docs.rs/clap/latest/clap/) framework
+- **Extensibility** - future support planned for fuzzy search, natural language (LLM) inputs, and command history
+
+Here’s a taste:
+
+```bash
+# List all pods
+kubix pods
+
+# Execute into a pod
+kubix exec my-app
+
+# View logs
+kubix logs my-app
+```
+
+### Beautiful CLI Output (Yes, It Sparks Joy)
+
+Kubix isn’t just fast - it’s also pleasant to use.
+
+Using the excellent [`tabled`](https://docs.rs/tabled/) crate, Kubix formats Kubernetes objects (like pods, contexts, etc.) into clean, readable tables that make your terminal feel more like a dashboard.
+
+Example:
+
+```text
++------+---------------------+-------------+
+| NAME |     NAMESPACE      |     AGE     |
++------+---------------------+-------------+
+| web  | default             | 3h 21m ago  |
+| api  | production-backend  | 7m 42s ago  |
++------+---------------------+-------------+
+```
+
+There’s also interactive selection using pattern matching and fuzzy input.
+
+```bash
+kubix exec
+```
+
+This command will show a numbered list of pods matching your query, and let you select one easily by number or name:
+
+```text
+Which pod do you want to exec into?
+
+[0] web-5f68d7b9fd-xk4zb
+[1] api-57c4b66dc5-tkp8n
+[2] db-66ccfcbf55-72vvn
+
+Type number or pattern:
+> 1
+```
+
+This kind of UX makes `kubectl` feel almost... friendly. 😄
+
+### Automated Cross-Platform Releases
+
+One thing I really wanted was to make Kubix **zero-effort to install** on any system.
+
+To achieve that, I set up a fully automated GitHub Action that:
+
+* Detects version bumps via `cargo release`
+* Builds static binaries for Linux, macOS, and Windows
+* Attaches them to a new GitHub release
+* Updates the install script
+
+All of this happens on push to `main` after merging `dev`, so cutting a new release is as easy as:
+
+```bash
+cargo release minor
+```
+
+Kubix is ready-to-go for anyone, anywhere - no Rust toolchain required. Just download, drop it in your `$PATH`, and start kubing like a pro.
+
+## Under the Hood
+
+Kubix is built using:
+
+* 🦀 **Rust** - For performance and safety
+* 🧼 **Clap** - To parse and structure CLI commands cleanly
+* 📦 **cargo-release + GitHub Actions** - For versioned multi-platform releases
+* 💻 **Cross-platform support** - Tested on Linux and macOS (Windows support planned)
+
+If you want to understand how it works or contribute, check out the source: [orez-rj/kubix](https://github.com/orez-rj/kubix)
+
+## How to Install
+
+Download the latest binary from the [Releases](https://github.com/orez-rj/kubix/releases) page or install with `cargo`:
+
+```bash
+cargo install kubix
+```
+
+Or use the installer script:
+
+```bash
+curl -sSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/orez-rj/kubix/main/install.sh | bash
+```
+
+## Roadmap
+
+* [ ] Add natural language support (`kubix exec to shell in frontend pod`)
+* [ ] Regex matching pod names
+* [ ] Improve Windows support
+* [ ] Optional LLM integration
+
+## Final Thoughts
+
+Kubix is my way of learning Rust while scratching a real itch in my Kubernetes workflow. It’s still growing, and contributions are welcome!
+
+> I’ll probably never stop tweaking it-but that’s half the fun.
+
+---
+
+🧑‍💻 **Project by:** [Or Ezra (orez-rj)](https://github.com/orez-rj)
+📁 **Repo:** [github.com/orez-rj/kubix](https://github.com/orez-rj/kubix)