Open CLI

stern

scriptableobservability
$ brew install stern
Summary

Kubernetes logs, multi-pod tails, and debugging from the terminal.

  • stern fits infra well, especially for kubernetes logs, multi-pod tails, and debugging from the terminal.
  • 2,809 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.
  • Good fit for coding-agent workflows and repeatable scripts.
  • Output is mostly text-first, so verify results before scripting around it.
infra-stern-SKILL.md

Stern guide

Kubernetes logs, multi-pod tails, and debugging from the terminal. Built by Derailed.

Open CLI packages the install path, verify step, and safe-start workflow so this tool can move from “interesting CLI” to something you can actually use. It also integrates with skills.sh so each CLI comes with the right companion skills, not just a binary and a docs link.

When to apply

  • kubernetes logs, multi-pod tails, and debugging from the terminal.
  • You need observability in both local dev and CI.
  • You need kubernetes logs.
  • You need multi-pod tails.
  • You need debugging.

Quick reference

Installbrew install stern
Verifystern --version
First real commandstern api

Open CLI × skills.sh

Open CLI integrates stern with the right skills.sh companions so you get the tool and the workflow together.

Monitoring & Observability

Recommended pairing

Open CLI recommends this skills.sh skill because it fits observability workflows. Use metrics, traces, and health checks to understand what your CLI changed.

View on skills.sh
$ npx skills add https://github.com/supercent-io/skills-template --skill monitoring-observability
Starter prompt

Use stern together with the Monitoring & Observability skills.sh skill. Start with safe inspection commands, summarize what you find, and ask before any step with side effects.

Also useful from skills.sh
Log Analysisskills.shDebuggingskills.sh

Why this tool

  • stern fits infra well, especially for kubernetes logs, multi-pod tails, and debugging from the terminal.
  • 2,809 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.

Watch-outs

  • Needs network access.
  • Output is mostly plain text.

Example workflow

1. stern api

Safe start

Step 1

Install stern.

Step 2

Run `stern --version` first.

Step 3

Start with `stern api`.

Step 4

Install the infra CLI and verify kubeconfig, Docker context, or cloud credentials.

Alternatives worth considering

datadog-ci

CI tests, source maps, and deploy markers from the terminal.

k6

Load testing, performance, and http tests from the terminal.

duf

Disk free, filesystem status, and readable df from the terminal.