If configured, the startup probe gates two independent branches: readiness for Service routing eligibility and liveness for container recovery.

Liveness and readiness tell Kubernetes how the Pod feels

A slow start is not a dead process. Readiness and liveness make independent decisions: whether ordinary Service traffic should reach this Pod, and whether terminating this container can help it recover. Readiness failure does not suspend liveness. A startup probe provides that startup protection when configured. ...

July 14, 2027 · 4 min · XB Field Notes