DevOps Interview Prep

Nail DevOps interviews. Build production-ready skills. Get hired.

Terminal-based training system covering Linux, Docker, and Kubernetes. Built on the 80/20 rule: only what makes you hireable.

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Quick Start

git clone <repo>
cd devopstutor

# First session
./drill linux

That's it. The system seeds itself on first run.

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How to Use This Optimally

The Daily Loop (15-20 min)

Run ./drill every day. It presents only the questions due today based on your past ratings — no more, no less.

./drill          # Linux questions + optional lab
./drill docker   # Docker questions

Rate honestly. The spaced repetition engine schedules your next review based on your rating:

Rating	Meaning	Next review
1	Forgot completely	Tomorrow
2	Hard — got it with effort	2-3 days
3	Good — solid answer	~1 week
4	Easy — nailed it	2+ weeks

Inflating ratings cheats yourself. A "3" you don't deserve means you'll forget it before the interview.

Answer out loud. Not in your head. Say it like you're in a real interview. The gap between "I know this" and "I can explain it clearly" is where candidates fail.

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Weekly Check-in (5 min)

./drill stats          # Linux progress
./drill stats docker   # Docker progress

Look at your forgot count from the log. If it's high for a topic, you need more reps — not just more time.

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Labs: When and How

Labs simulate broken production systems. Run one after your theory session when you have 20-30 minutes.

./drill lab            # Linux labs
./drill lab docker     # Docker labs

How a lab session works:

1. Pick a lab from the numbered list
2. Choose Start — this runs the setup script that breaks something
3. Read the scenario (option 2 for full instructions)
4. Fix it using only the terminal (use man, not Google)
5. Mark it complete when done

Linux labs available:

• 01-permissions-chaos — broken file permissions (needs sudo)
• 02-process-detective — zombie/runaway processes
• 03-log-surgeon — dig through logs to find the issue
• 04-network-diagnosis — network connectivity problems
• 05-ssh-lockdown — SSH access issues
• 06-disk-crisis — disk space emergencies
• 07-broken-service — systemd service failures (needs sudo)

Docker labs available:

• 01-broken-dockerfile — fix a non-building image
• 02-multi-container — multi-container app debugging
• 03-volume-persistence — data persistence issues
• 04-image-diet — image size optimization

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Bootcamp: The Progression Path

The bootcamp is a structured 30-day path through realistic production scenarios. Use it alongside daily drills, not instead of them.

./bootcamp    # Picks up where you left off

Do one bootcamp day per day. It tracks progress automatically. Currently available: Days 1-5 (Linux fundamentals).

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Quick Warmup: Command Muscle Memory

When you have 5 minutes and want to stay sharp on syntax:

./drill quick docker   # Rapid Docker command practice

Don't think. Just type. This builds motor memory for commands you'll use in take-home assessments.

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Command Reference

./drill                # Today's Linux SR session + lab prompt
./drill linux          # Same as above
./drill docker         # Docker SR session
./drill lab            # Pick a Linux lab
./drill lab docker     # Pick a Docker lab
./drill stats          # Linux progress overview
./drill stats docker   # Docker progress overview
./drill quick docker   # 5-min Docker command warmup
./bootcamp             # 30-day scenario simulator

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Structure

devopstutor/
├── drill                  # Main entry point for daily sessions
├── bootcamp               # 30-day intensive simulator
├── modules/
│   ├── linux/
│   │   ├── theory.md      # 68 interview questions (L1/L2/L3)
│   │   └── labs/          # 7 hands-on scenarios
│   ├── docker/
│   │   ├── theory.md      # 80+ Docker questions
│   │   ├── quick.sh       # 5-min command practice
│   │   └── labs/          # 4 container scenarios
│   └── kubernetes/        # Coming after Kubecraft
└── progress/
    ├── tracker.json        # Spaced repetition state
    ├── bootcamp-progress.json
    └── drill-log.txt       # Full session history

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Question Levels

• L1 (Basic): Define/explain — screening call level
• L2 (Applied): Apply in context — technical interview
• L3 (Troubleshooting): Debug real issues — senior-level probing

The drill serves all three levels, weighted toward what you've rated poorly.

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Requirements

• Linux environment (Ubuntu/Debian/Arch recommended)
• Docker installed (for Docker module and labs)
• sudo access (labs 01 and 07 need it)
• python3 (for spaced repetition engine)

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Roadmap

• Linux module: 68 questions + 7 labs
• Docker module: 80+ questions + 4 labs + quick warmup
• Bootcamp days 1-5 (Linux)
• Bootcamp days 6-30 (Docker, networking, K8s)
• Kubernetes module
• Bash scripting module
• CI/CD + IaC module

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Built by Juanes. Linux syllabus curated with Mischa.

License: MIT — use it, fork it, learn from it.