Overview

Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. Gain practical, in-demand skills to deploy, scale, and manage containerized applications using Kubernetes. By the end of this course, you'll be able to set up a local Kubernetes environment, manage workloads with Pods and Deployments, expose applications using Services, and automate infrastructure using YAML manifests—key capabilities for cloud-native development and DevOps roles. The course starts with a clear introduction to Kubernetes architecture, its core components, and the kubectl CLI. You'll then install and configure essential tools like kubectl and Minikube on Mac, Linux, and Windows. As you progress, you'll run containers in Kubernetes using Pods, manage their lifecycle, and generate reusable YAML manifests. You’ll move from imperative to declarative object management for more scalable and maintainable deployments. This course is ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, and IT professionals with basic container and CLI experience. Designed at an intermediate level, it includes hands-on labs and real-world examples to build your confidence in working with Kubernetes.

Syllabus

[Kubernetes] High-Level Overview

In this module, we will establish a foundational understanding of Kubernetes and its significance in modern DevOps workflows. You’ll explore why Kubernetes is widely adopted, what its architecture looks like, and how its control and data planes function. Finally, you’ll get hands-on with kubectl, the command-line tool essential for Kubernetes management.

[Kubernetes] Installing Tools

In this module, we will walk through installing Kubernetes tooling like kubectl and Minikube on various operating systems. You'll get platform-specific guidance for MacOS, Linux, and WSL to ensure a smooth setup experience. By the end, your local Kubernetes environment will be ready for deploying and managing clusters.

[Kubernetes] Running Containers with Kubernetes

In this module, we will explore the process of running containers within Kubernetes using Pods—the smallest deployable units. You'll learn about the Pod lifecycle, perform real-world labs using kubectl, and deploy the initial version of the Color API. This hands-on section bridges container images with Kubernetes workloads.

[Kubernetes] Object Management and YAML Manifests

In this module, we will dive deep into Kubernetes object management with YAML manifests. You'll understand the structure of manifest files, practice creating resources using both command-line and declarative methods, and address limitations of imperative configurations. By the end, you'll be managing Kubernetes objects more effectively and at scale.

[Kubernetes] Working with ReplicaSets and Deployments

In this module, we will focus on how Kubernetes maintains high availability and enables updates through ReplicaSets and Deployments. You'll perform labs to create, manage, and scale Deployments, explore rollout mechanics, and handle version changes in your applications. This section strengthens your workload automation skills.

[Kubernetes] In-Depth Look at Kubernetes Services

In this module, we will take a detailed look at Kubernetes Services and how they enable communication within and outside the cluster. You'll configure various service types, deploy test applications to simulate traffic, and link services to external endpoints. This section ensures your applications are both discoverable and scalable.