How to Use Local Docker Images with Minikube?

The steps below must be followed to use local Docker images with Minikube:

Start Minikube
Begin by starting Minikube, which is a local Kubernetes cluster that runs inside a virtual machine. Minikube provides an environment where you can deploy and manage your applications.

Configure Docker
Once Minikube is running, you must configure your Docker client to use the Docker daemon within Minikube. This allows you to build and use Docker images locally without uploading them to a remote registry.

Set Up Environment Variables
To configure your Docker client, run the command eval $(minikube docker-env) in your terminal. This command sets the necessary environment variables to direct Docker commands to the Minikube Docker daemon.

Build Your Docker Image
With the Docker client configured, navigate to the directory containing your application code and Dockerfile. Use the regular Docker commands (e.g., docker build) to build your Docker image locally.

Use the Local Image in Minikube
In your Kubernetes deployment configuration, specify the image name as the local image you built in the previous step. This tells Kubernetes to use the locally built image for your application.

Set the imagePullPolicy
To ensure that Kubernetes doesn’t attempt to pull the image from a remote registry, set the imagePullPolicy field to “Never” in your Kubernetes deployment or pod configuration. This way, Kubernetes will only use the locally available image.

You can use local Docker images with Minikube by following these steps. This eliminates the requirement for a remote registry and enables local application development and testing.