Cloud Native Field Guide¶
Practical command and operations reference for modern cloud-native environments.
This project is an opinionated, production-oriented guide covering:
- Linux foundations
- Containers
- Kubernetes
- Databases
- Programming languages and toolchains
- GitOps
- Infrastructure as Code
- Real-world troubleshooting patterns
It is not a replacement for official documentation.
It is a distilled operational reference for daily work.
Philosophy¶
Cloud native is layered.
Understanding Kubernetes without understanding Linux leads to fragile systems. Understanding containers without understanding networking leads to blind debugging.
This guide follows a layered mental model:
- Foundations (Linux, networking, debugging)
- Containers
- Kubernetes
- Databases
- Programming languages and toolchains
- Packaging and GitOps
- Infrastructure
- Troubleshooting scenarios
Each section prioritizes:
- High-signal commands
- Real-world usage
- Diagnostic flows
- Common failure patterns
Structure Overview¶
Foundations¶
Core Linux knowledge required for cloud-native operations:
- Filesystem navigation and manipulation
- Process inspection
- Networking diagnostics
- Log inspection
- Text processing
- Debugging techniques
Containers¶
Operational reference for:
- Docker CLI
- Image management
- Volumes
- Container networking
- Runtime troubleshooting
Kubernetes¶
Production-focused reference including:
- kubectl commands
- Core resources
- Deployments
- DaemonSets
- Authentication and authorization
- Services and networking
- Storage
- Configuration
- Debugging workflows
Databases¶
Operational reference for:
- PostgreSQL in Docker
- Connection and authentication checks
- Backup and restore commands
- Initialization and data persistence behavior
Programming¶
Toolchain setup and operational reference for programming languages used in cloud-native environments:
- Go installation and version management on Ubuntu
Local Clusters¶
Local development and testing with:
- kind
- Minikube
Packaging¶
Application lifecycle management:
- Helm
- Kustomize
GitOps & CI/CD¶
Continuous delivery and Git-based operations:
- GitHub Actions
- Argo CD
Infrastructure¶
Infrastructure provisioning and lifecycle management:
- Terraform
Troubleshooting Scenarios¶
Scenario-driven operational playbooks:
- Container not starting
- Pod CrashLoopBackOff
- Service not reachable
- High CPU or memory usage
These sections focus on diagnostic thinking, not just commands.
How to Use This Guide¶
You can:
- Browse by technology
- Follow the layered model
- Use search to find specific commands
- Use troubleshooting scenarios for incident handling
Each page follows a consistent structure:
- What it is
- When to use it
- Core commands
- Real-world example
- Debugging pattern
- Common pitfalls
Target Audience¶
- Platform engineers
- DevOps engineers
- SREs
- Backend engineers working with Kubernetes
- Engineers transitioning into cloud-native roles
Contributing¶
Contributions are welcome.
Improvements should prioritize:
- Clarity
- Practicality
- Real-world examples
- Concise explanations
Before submitting a PR:
- Follow the existing page structure
- Avoid duplicating official documentation
- Prefer operational insight over theory
See CONTRIBUTING.md for details.
Long-Term Vision¶
The goal is to evolve this project into:
- A high-signal operational reference
- A community-driven cloud-native handbook
- A practical companion to official documentation
- A curated body of production knowledge
Cloud-native systems are complex.
Clarity is leverage.