How do I decide if ClusterIP is right for internal API in Kubernetes?

[Anthony20]

I've finally containerized my first app and now I need to get it running in a real cluster. I've been following a kubernetes deployment tutorial, but I'm already stuck on the YAML for the service—it seems like there are a dozen ways to expose the app. For a simple internal API, is a ClusterIP service usually the right starting point, or am I overcomplicating this?

[Chloe.R]

ClusterIP is a solid starting point for an internal API. It makes the service reachable inside the cluster and keeps things simple.

[Eleanor_W]

If you later need external access you can evolve to NodePort or an Ingress, but only when you actually need it.

[Scott65]

Pair the service with a deployment using a stable selector and keep the pod labels tidy so the service doesn’t drift.

[Grace.G]

Add basic health checks so traffic only goes to healthy pods and you avoid a slow burn failure.

[Anthony_P]

Keep the YAML minimal and reuse a template so you can clone it for new services without rethinking everything.

[Matthew_W]

If you want extra resilience later you can add a lightweight forwarder or a simple retry policy, but start with the basics and learn as you go