Welcome to the era of simplified Kubernetes management with Cyclops! In today’s blog post, we will explore how to install, use, and customize Cyclops, an open-source tool that makes Kubernetes less intimidating for developers and teams without deep Kubernetes experience. Let’s dive in!

What is Cyclops?

Cyclops is your friendly neighborhood dev tool, aimed at demystifying Kubernetes for everyone—from developers to QA teams to product managers. Imagine owning a magic wand that transforms complicated tasks into a series of simple clicks. Instead of fussing over YAML files, Cyclops enables you to configure and deploy applications effortlessly, complete with automatic validations. With its template system, Cyclops can save you hours of configuration time, making the deployment process a breeze.

How Does Cyclops Work?

Cyclops empowers DevOps teams to create custom user interfaces without writing a single line of code. Utilizing pre-defined templates, anyone can get started quickly, even without a dedicated DevOps team. Cyclops leverages Helm charts under the hood, meaning you can seamlessly integrate it with your existing Helm configurations or explore public Helm charts.

Installing Cyclops

Before you roll up your sleeves to install Cyclops, ensure you have followed the prerequisites. You can mix and match installation methods that suit you best; choose between applying the latest manifest manually, using the command line tool cyctl, or employing the Glasskube Kubernetes Package Manager.

• To install Cyclops using kubectl, you can run the following commands:

kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyclops-ui/cyclops/v0.13.1/install/cyclops-install.yaml
kubectl apply -f https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cyclops-ui/cyclops/v0.13.1/install/demo-templates.yaml

• This creates a new namespace called cyclops and sets up everything you need.
• To expose the Cyclops server externally, run:

kubectl port-forward svc/cyclops-ui 3000:3000 -n cyclops

• Finally, access Cyclops in your browser at http://localhost:3000.

Utilizing Templates

Once Cyclops is up and running, it comes with a few predefined templates. Feel free to modify and customize these! You can find the Helm charts used for these templates here. Additionally, if you’re feeling creative, you can delve deeper into creating your own custom templates as discussed on our website.

Using the Cyclops CLI – cyctl

cyctl is the command-line interface for Cyclops, which you can conveniently install via Homebrew.

With cyctl, you can easily manage templates, integrate with GitHub actions, and automate Cyclops processes. For instance, once you create a template and publish it on GitHub, GitHub actions could automatically connect the template to your Cyclops instance, giving developers instant access to updates.

Troubleshooting Tips

While installing or using Cyclops, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some troubleshooting ideas to keep in mind:

• If you can’t access Cyclops after setting up, double-check the port forwarding command. Use this command again: kubectl port-forward svc/cyclops-ui 3000:3000 -n cyclops.
• Ensure that you’ve followed all installation prerequisites carefully to avoid missing any important steps.
• If certain templates are not working, verify that you’re using compatible Helm charts.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Contributing to Cyclops

Cyclops is a vibrant open-source project welcoming contributions from everyone! You can offer your skills in code, feedback, content creation, or simply by giving our efforts a star on GitHub. If you are interested in contributing, check out our CONTRIBUTING.md file and join our wall of fame!

Roadmap for Future Features

The Cyclops team is eagerly exploring future enhancements, including:

• Authentication for secure logins
• Role-based access control
• Integration with GitOps tools
• Support for Kustomize and more!

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.

Thank you for joining us today. Happy Kubernetes managing with Cyclops!