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How to Change Kubectl Context and Install Helm in a Different GKE Cluster

Experiencing issues with helm installing resources into the wrong Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) cluster? Here’s how you can correct this:

Step-by-Step Guide on Correcting Kubectl Default > Context Switcher for Helm Installation in GKE Clusters

  1. Verify Available Cluster: List all available clusters using gcloud to ensure your desired cluster is accessible and active within Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Run the following command on your terminal or command prompt, replacing myCluster with actual name of yours’s GKE managed resource instance:
    $ gcloud container clusters list
    
  2. Reconcile Kubectl Context : Check which cluster is set as context for kubectl by executing the following command on your terminal or command prompt and replace myContext with current active context if you know it:
    $ kubectl config get-contexts myContext --show-only=NAME,CERTIFICATE -o jsonpath='{.items[0].name}' | jq ."cluster.name"
    
  3. Add/Set Context: If the desired cluster isn’t part of your kubectl context list (as seen in Step 2), add it with appropriate credentials from Google Cloud SDK via below command, replacing myCluster and region as per requirement using its name & location respectively for GKE managed resource instance.
    $ gcloud container clusters get-credentials myCluster --region=us-central1  # Example: US Central Region
    
  4. Switch Context: In case of multiple kubectl contexts existing, you can switch to the desired cluster by executing below command and replace myContext with your targeted Kubernetes Cluster’s name from previous steps for switching its role in helm installation process:
    $ kubectl config use-context myContext
    

For additional insight into setting up context access, consult the official documentation here - Google Cloud Docs on Accessing Kubernetes Clusters via Kubectl.

Remember to adjust your commands as per specific naming conventions and regions of the managed GKE resources within Google Cloud, for successful installation & management through helm in desired cluster instead!


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