In a world teeming with evolving technologies, it can be daunting to keep pace with various tools available for application deployment. Enter Launchpad – a command-line tool designed to simplify the journey of creating applications on Kubernetes, just like Heroku or Vercel, but within the highly adaptable environment of Kubernetes.

What is Launchpad?

Launchpad is your trusty sidekick for deploying applications effortlessly in a Kubernetes ecosystem. Imagine it as the magical bridge that transforms your code into a robust application hosted on Kubernetes with minimal effort!

Installing Launchpad

To embark on this exciting journey, you’ll first need to install Launchpad alongside Docker, which is the foundation upon which Launchpad operates.

• First, head over to Docker Desktop and install it.
• Next, to install Launchpad, simply run the following command:

curl -fsSL https://get.jetify.com/launchpad | bash

Quickstart: Deploying to Your Docker Desktop Kubernetes Cluster

Ready to leap into action? Here’s a step-by-step guide to deploy a cron job on your local Docker Desktop Kubernetes cluster.

1. Open a terminal and create a new empty folder named launchpad.
2. Enable Kubernetes on Docker Desktop.
3. Initialize Launchpad in your new folder:

launchpad init

4. You’ll then encounter a series of prompts. Here’s what to do:
• For the project name, press Enter to use the default.
• Select “Cron Job” as the type of service to add.
• Choose docker-desktop as the cluster to deploy your project.
5. This will create a launchpad.yaml file in your current directory. Ensure to commit it to source control.
6. Your launchpad.yaml file should resemble the following:

configVersion: 0.1.2
projectId: ...
name: app
cluster: docker-desktop
services:
  app-cron:
    type: cron
    image: busybox:latest
    command: [bin/sh, -c, date; echo Hello from Launchpad]
    schedule: '* * * * *'

7. Next, launch your deployment to Kubernetes with:

launchpad up

8. Patience is a virtue! Wait a minute before you check your cron job:

kubectl get pods
kubectl logs pod_name

9. After you’re done, clean up with:

launchpad down

Understanding the Magic Behind the Code

Imagine you’re planning a birthday party. The launchpad init command is like sending out invitations to your friends (the project setup). When you select the type of celebration (service type) and the location (cluster), the guests know exactly what to expect. The launchpad.yaml is essentially your party plan—laying out everything you need for a successful event. Finally, the launchpad up command is when you hit the go button on your party, welcoming everyone in! Keep an eye on the festivities by checking logs—much like checking in on the party’s progress.

Troubleshooting Your Deployment

If things don’t go as planned, here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure Docker is running before you initialize Launchpad.
• Double-check the Kubernetes settings on Docker Desktop to make sure Kubernetes is enabled.
• Refer to the GitHub Issues for known bugs and solutions.
• For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Additional Commands

Make the most out of Launchpad with these extra commands:

• launchpad help – to view all available commands.
• launchpad auth – to create a user, or log in/out.
• launchpad env – to manage environment variables and secrets.
• launchpad cluster – to create or list your clusters.

In Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.