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Extending the OpenShift CLI with plugins

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You can write and install plugins to build on the default oc commands, allowing you to perform new and more complex tasks with the OpenShift CLI.

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Writing CLI plugins

You can write a plugin for the OpenShift CLI in any programming language or script that allows you to write command-line commands. Note that you can not use a plugin to overwrite an existing oc command.

Procedure

This procedure creates a simple Bash plugin that prints a message to the terminal when the oc foo command is issued.

  1. Create a file called oc-foo.

    When naming your plugin file, keep the following in mind:

    • The file must begin with oc- or kubectl- to be recognized as a plugin.

    • The file name determines the command that invokes the plugin. For example, a plugin with the file name oc-foo-bar can be invoked by a command of oc foo bar. You can also use underscores if you want the command to contain dashes. For example, a plugin with the file name oc-foo_bar can be invoked by a command of oc foo-bar.

  2. Add the following contents to the file.

    #!/bin/bash

# optional argument handling
if [[ "$1" == "version" ]]
then
    echo "1.0.0"
    exit 0
fi

# optional argument handling
if [[ "$1" == "config" ]]
then
    echo $KUBECONFIG
    exit 0
fi

echo "I am a plugin named kubectl-foo"

After you install this plugin for the OpenShift CLI, it can be invoked using the oc foo command.

Additional resources
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Installing and using CLI plugins

After you write a custom plugin for the OpenShift CLI, you must install the plugin before use.

Prerequisites

  • You must have the oc CLI tool installed.

  • You must have a CLI plugin file that begins with oc- or kubectl-.

Procedure

  1. If necessary, update the plugin file to be executable.

    $ chmod +x <plugin_file>

  2. Place the file anywhere in your PATH, such as /usr/local/bin/.

    $ sudo mv <plugin_file> /usr/local/bin/.

  3. Run oc plugin list to make sure that the plugin is listed.

    $ oc plugin list
    Example output
    The following compatible plugins are available:

/usr/local/bin/<plugin_file>

    If your plugin is not listed here, verify that the file begins with oc- or kubectl-, is executable, and is on your PATH.

  4. Invoke the new command or option introduced by the plugin.

    For example, if you built and installed the kubectl-ns plugin from the Sample plugin repository, you can use the following command to view the current namespace.

    $ oc ns

    Note that the command to invoke the plugin depends on the plugin file name. For example, a plugin with the file name of oc-foo-bar is invoked by the oc foo bar command.