How do you follow pod logs in real time with kubectl?

Kubernetes (kubectl) · View Resources · updated 2026-08-23

kubectl logs -f [pod] — Follow logs

kubectl logs -f [pod] streams the pod's log output until you interrupt it with Ctrl + C. Without -f the command prints the current log and exits; add -n [namespace] when the pod is not in the default namespace.

Related Kubernetes (kubectl) shortcuts: View Resources

ShortcutActionNotes
kubectl get podsList podsList pods in current namespace.
kubectl get svcList servicesList services.
kubectl get nodesList nodesList cluster nodes.
kubectl get allAll resourcesList all resources.
kubectl describe pod [name]Pod detailsShow detailed pod information.
kubectl logs [pod]View logsView pod logs.
kubectl logs -f [pod]Follow logsFollow pod logs in real time.

From the Kubernetes (kubectl) reference (17 entries) · all how-to answers