Best Practices
Running Kubernetes successfully is not just about deploying containers. It’s about designing, operating, and securing clusters intentionally.
This page outlines best practices for running Kubernetes workloads in KubeRaya. These guidelines help you build clusters that are secure, scalable, predictable, and cost-aware.
Use this page as a decision guide. Each section links to deeper documentation where more detailed configuration and step-by-step guidance is required.
Design Clusters with Purpose
A Kubernetes cluster should have a clear and limited scope.
Best Practices
- Use one cluster for one primary purpose
- Avoid mixing unrelated workloads in the same cluster
- Separate environments:
- Development
- Staging
- Production
- Keep clusters small, focused, and manageable
Well-scoped clusters are easier to operate, secure, and scale.
Expose Services Intentionally
By default, Kubernetes services are not public, and that is a good thing.
Best Practices
- Use ClusterIP for internal communication
- Expose services only when required
- Prefer Ingress for web applications
- Avoid NodePort for production workloads
- Treat public exposure as a security decision, not a convenience
📄 See:
Apply Security by Default
Kubernetes security is a shared responsibility between the platform and your workloads.
Best Practices
- Follow the principle of least privilege
- Secure workloads at both:
- Network level
- Application level
- Assume internal traffic is not automatically trusted
- Avoid permissive defaults and broad access
Security should be designed in, not added later.
📄 See:
Scale Responsibly
Scaling Kubernetes clusters should be intentional and observable, not reactive.
Best Practices
- Scale worker nodes, not control plane components
- Understand platform limits before scaling
- Use autoscaling only when workloads justify it
- Monitor usage before increasing capacity
Uncontrolled scaling increases cost and operational risk.
📄 See: Scale Kubernetes Nodes
Manage Resource Usage Carefully
Kubernetes makes it easy to consume resources, sometimes too easy.
Best Practices
- Size clusters based on real workload needs
- Avoid over-provisioning nodes
- Monitor CPU, memory, and pod distribution
- Clean up unused workloads and clusters
Efficient resource management improves both stability and cost efficiency.
Operate Clusters Declaratively
Kubernetes is designed to be managed declaratively.
Best Practices
- Use YAML manifests as the source of truth
- Prefer declarative workflows over manual changes
- Version-control configuration files
- Avoid ad-hoc production changes
Declarative operations reduce drift and improve reliability.
Manage the Cluster Lifecycle
Kubernetes clusters are infrastructure, not permanent assets.
Best Practices
- Create clusters intentionally
- Scale only when required
- Delete unused or obsolete clusters
- Treat clusters as disposable when appropriate
📄 See:
Summary
Well-run Kubernetes environments share common traits:
- Clear cluster boundaries
- Minimal public exposure
- Strong security defaults
- Controlled scaling
- Predictable operations
Following these best practices helps ensure your Kubernetes workloads in CloudRaya are secure by default, scalable by design, and easy to operate.
Related Guides
📄 Cluster Architecture & Concepts