Delete All Resources in All Namespaces

Removing every resource in every namespaces is an extreme step that could have significant consequences. In the case that you must move on, here’s how to use kubectl to do it:

kubectl delete all --all --all-namespaces

This command will remove all resources (pods, deployments, services, etc.) in all namespaces. Make sure you completely understand the implications of continuing, as this move will affect all of the services and apps running within your Kubernetes cluster. Check you have enough privileges before running this command, and think about making backups or contacting your team to confirm.

Kubernetes is an open-source Container Management tool that automates container deployment, container scaling, descaling, and container load balancing (also called a container orchestration tool). It is written in Golang and has a huge community because it was first developed by Google and later donated to CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation). kubectl delete is used to delete resources by using a configuration file or by using the type of resource and the resource name.

kubectl delete ([-f FILENAME] | TYPE [(NAME | --all)])

• Delete by Configuration File (-f FILENAME):
  • -f FILENAME: Specifies a configuration file containing the resource definition(s) to be deleted.
  • This mode allows you to delete resources defined in a YAML or JSON file. You provide the path to the file after the -f flag, and kubectl deletes the resources defined in that file.
• Delete by Resource Type and Name (TYPE [(NAME | --all)]):
  • TYPE: Specifies the type of resource to be deleted (e.g., deployment, service, pod, etc.).
  • NAME: Optionally, specifies the name of the specific resource instance to be deleted.
  • --all: Deletes all instances of the specified resource type across namespaces.

Example: Suppose we are having Nginx web server deployment and Service running.

This is the nginx service manifest file.

Here is the all running resources on the default namespace. Refer the below image for your reference.

Deleting  Deployment

To delete the resources in Kubernetes, the kubectl delete command provides the flexibility. We can delete resources by specifying a configuration file or directly by resource type and name. For instance, to delete a Deployment named deployment_name, you execute the below command:

$ kubectl delete deployment deployment_name

Alternatively, you can also point your terminal to the file containing the deployment config file and use the command

$ kubectl delete -f your_config_file.yaml

Deleting  Service

The same principle applies to deleting Services. To delete a Service named service_name, you use:

$ kubectl delete service service_name

Alternatively, you can also point your terminal to the file containing the deployment config file and use the command

$ kubectl delete -f your_config_file.yaml