ConfigMaps

Settings such as a colour theme or a log level should not be baked into the image, otherwise every change means a rebuild. Kubernetes stores them in a ConfigMap: a named set of key/value pairs that Pods can read.

Create one from literal values:

kubectl create configmap app-config --from-literal=COLOR=blue --from-literal=MODE=dev

Kubernetes answers configmap/app-config created. List them with kubectl get configmaps (short form cm).

To see the values, describe the ConfigMap:

kubectl describe configmap app-config

The Data section lists every key with its value. ConfigMaps are for plain settings, not for secrets: anyone who can read the object sees the values.