Skip caching binaries when --no-kubernetes is set

pkg/minikube/download/binary.go

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/blang/semver/v4"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+	"github.com/spf13/viper"
 	"k8s.io/klog/v2"
 	"k8s.io/minikube/pkg/minikube/localpath"
 )
@@ -53,6 +54,11 @@ func binaryWithChecksumURL(binaryName, version, osName, archName, binaryURL stri
 
 // Binary will download a binary onto the host
 func Binary(binary, version, osName, archName, binaryURL string) (string, error) {
+	// Prevent Kubernetes binary downloads in --no-kubernetes mode
+	if viper.GetBool("no-kubernetes") {
+		klog.Infof("Skipping Kubernetes binary download due to --no-kubernetes flag")
+		return "", nil
+	}
 	targetDir := localpath.MakeMiniPath("cache", osName, archName, version)
 	targetFilepath := path.Join(targetDir, binary)
 	targetLock := targetFilepath + ".lock"

pkg/minikube/download/preload.go

@@ -121,6 +121,11 @@ var checkRemotePreloadExists = func(k8sVersion, containerRuntime string) bool {
 
 // PreloadExists returns true if there is a preloaded tarball that can be used
 func PreloadExists(k8sVersion, containerRuntime, driverName string, forcePreload ...bool) bool {
+	// Prevent preload logic in --no-kubernetes mode
+	if viper.GetBool("no-kubernetes") {
+		klog.Infof("Skipping preload logic due to --no-kubernetes flag")
+		return false
+	}
 	// TODO (#8166): Get rid of the need for this and viper at all
 	force := false
 	if len(forcePreload) > 0 {