Adding labels

Learn to define labels in YAML.

Adding labels

Labels can be written in the YAML or added to and removed from running objects with kubectl label. Changing an existing key requires --overwrite; putting - at the end of the key removes the label:

kubectl label pod web takim=odeme
kubectl label pod web ortam=test --overwrite
kubectl label pod web takim-                 # remove
kubectl label pods -l app=web surum=v2       # add in bulk

Adding annotations

kubectl annotate adds annotations with the same syntax as labels. Tools keep their settings in annotations (e.g. Ingress controllers, Prometheus):

kubectl annotate deploy web aciklama="ana sayfa servisi"
kubectl annotate svc web prometheus.io/scrape="true"
kubectl get deploy web -o jsonpath='{.metadata.annotations.aciklama}'

Annotation values can contain spaces and long text; labels can't.

Exercise Manage labels

Write three commands: add the label takim=odeme to the web pod; overwrite the ortam label with test; remove the katman label.

Show example solution

kubectl label pod web takim=odeme
kubectl label pod web ortam=test --overwrite
kubectl label pod web katman-

Test yourself

What does kubectl label pod web takim- do?
- It removes the takim label
- It adds the takim label with an empty value
- It errors
- It deletes the pod
Show answer

It removes the takim label — The trailing hyphen means removal.

Remove the label.

kubectl label pod web ____

Show answer

kubectl label pod web takim-

Match.

label key=value

Add a label
--overwrite

Change
key-

Remove
annotate

Add an annotation

Next lesson: Label selector

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