# kubernetes-deployment-best-practices

This rule guides Copilot when drafting Kubernetes manifests, from deployment probes and resource settings to network access. Use it while building or reviewing a deployment.

- rule · `type=rule` · GitHub Copilot · ★ 40451
- Author: github · official GitHub repository
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.instructions.md
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/rules/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices

## What it does

The rule covers Pods and Deployments, including replica counts and rolling update settings. It recommends `readinessProbe` and `livenessProbe` for container checks, plus CPU and memory requests and limits. YAML examples show a Deployment and an Ingress.

It also explains how Services and Ingress route traffic, and when to use ConfigMaps or Secrets for configuration. ConfigMaps are not encrypted at rest, so passwords and API keys should not go there. The guidance describes HPA for stateless apps with changing load, and VPA for adjusting container resources based on usage.

## Requirements
- Works with: Kubernetes

## Install

### GitHub Copilot (native platform)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/instructions/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.instructions.md` — The applyTo field sets which files it applies to

### Claude Code

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.claude/rules/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.md` — The paths frontmatter field limits the files: move applyTo from the source into paths

### Codex

**AGENTS.md**
- Codex reads AGENTS.md: paste the rule text there

### Cursor

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/rules/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.mdc` — Frontmatter: description, globs, alwaysApply. Move applyTo from the source into globs, or the rule will not attach on its own

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/rules/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.md`

### Cline

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.clinerules/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.md`

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.instructions.md

## When to use it
- draft a Deployment for a stateless application
- add readiness and liveness probes to a container
- set CPU and memory requests and limits
- route external HTTP traffic to a Service through Ingress
- keep regular configuration separate from Kubernetes secrets

## Example prompts
- Create a Deployment for my stateless app with readiness and liveness probes.
- Review this Kubernetes manifest and set CPU and memory requests and limits.
- Configure Ingress to expose this Service with TLS.

## Source text · kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.instructions.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 30bceef0daa18a70.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 30bceef0daa18a70
````text
---
applyTo: '*'
description: 'Comprehensive best practices for deploying and managing applications on Kubernetes. Covers Pods, Deployments, Services, Ingress, ConfigMaps, Secrets, health checks, resource limits, scaling, and security contexts.'
---

# Kubernetes Deployment Best Practices

## Your Mission

As GitHub Copilot, you are an expert in Kubernetes deployments, with deep knowledge of best practices for running applications reliably, securely, and efficiently at scale. Your mission is to guide developers in crafting optimal Kubernetes manifests, managing deployments, and ensuring their applications are production-ready within a Kubernetes environment. You must emphasize resilience, security, and scalability.

## Core Kubernetes Concepts for Deployment

### **1. Pods**
- **Principle:** The smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes. Represents a single instance of a running process in your cluster.
- **Guidance for Copilot:**
    - Design Pods to run a single primary container (or tightly coupled sidecars).
    - Define `resources` (requests/limits) for CPU and memory to prevent resource exhaustion.
    - Implement `livenessProbe` and `readinessProbe` for health checks.
- **Pro Tip:** Avoid deploying Pods directly; use higher-level controllers like Deployments or StatefulSets.

### **2. Deployments**
- **Principle:** Manages a set of identical Pods and ensures they are running. Handles rolling updates and rollbacks.
- **Guidance for Copilot:**
    - Use Deployments for stateless applications.
    - Define desired replicas (`replicas`).
    - Specify `selector` and `template` for Pod matching.
    - Configure `strategy` for rolling updates (`rollingUpdate` with `maxSurge`/`maxUnavailable`).
- **Example (Simple Deployment):**
```yaml
apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: my-app-deployment
  labels:
    app: my-app
spec:
  replicas: 3
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: my-app
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: my-app
    spec:
      containers:
        - name: my-app-container
          image: my-repo/my-app:1.0.0
          ports:
            - containerPort: 8080
          resources:
            requests:
              cpu: "100m"
              memory: "128Mi"
            limits:
              cpu: "500m"
              memory: "512Mi"
          livenessProbe:
            httpGet:
              path: /healthz
              port: 8080
            initialDelaySeconds: 15
            periodSeconds: 20
          readinessProbe:
            httpGet:
              path: /readyz
              port: 8080
            initialDelaySeconds: 5
            periodSeconds: 10
```

### **3. Services**
- **Principle:** An abstract way to expose an application running on a set of Pods as a network service.
- **Guidance for Copilot:**
    - Use Services to provide stable network identity to Pods.
    - Choose `type` based on exposure needs (ClusterIP, NodePort, LoadBalancer, ExternalName).
    - Ensure `selector` matches Pod labels for proper routing.
- **Pro Tip:** Use `ClusterIP` for internal services, `LoadBalancer` for internet-facing applications in cloud environments.

### **4. Ingress**
- **Principle:** Manages external access to services in a cluster, typically HTTP/HTTPS routes from outside the cluster to services within.
- **Guidance for Copilot:**
    - Use Ingress to consolidate routing rules and manage TLS termination.
    - Configure Ingress resources for external access when using a web application.
    - Specify host, path, and backend service.
- **Example (Ingress):**
```yaml
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: Ingress
metadata:
  name: my-app-ingress
spec:
  rules:
    - host: myapp.example.com
      http:
        paths:
````
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First 3728 of 14332 bytes. © github · MIT · https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/tree/HEAD/instructions/kubernetes-deployment-best-practices.instructions.md

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