JavaScript (Node.js) and Kubernetes: A Practical Guide

Modern web development is unthinkable without containerization and orchestration. If you write in JavaScript (Node.js) but haven't worked with Kubernetes yet, this book will be your guide into the world of production-grade infrastructure. You will learn how to turn an ordinary Node.js application into a fault-tolerant microservice ready for high loads.

What is this book about?

The book is structured as a practical guide from simple to complex. You will start with the basics: packaging a Node.js application into a Docker image, writing a Dockerfile and docker-compose for local development. Then you will move on to deployment in Kubernetes — from Minikube to a full-fledged cloud cluster.

Key topics:

• Docker for Node.js — image optimization, multi-stage builds, working with .dockerignore.
• Kubernetes basics — Pods, Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, and Secrets.
• Load balancing — horizontal scaling of Node.js workers using HPA.
• CI/CD pipelines — automating build and deployment via GitHub Actions and GitLab CI.
• Monitoring and logging — Prometheus + Grafana for Node.js metrics, ELK stack for logs.
• Security — managing environment variables, RBAC, Network Policies.
• Working with databases — StatefulSets for MongoDB and PostgreSQL in the cluster.

Who is this book for?

• JavaScript/Node.js developers who want to master DevOps and deploy their applications independently.
• DevOps engineers transitioning to the JS stack and wanting to understand the specifics of Node.js in containers.
• Team leads and tech leads planning to migrate a monolith to microservices in Kubernetes.
• Students and juniors seeking to acquire in-demand orchestration skills.

What will you learn and be able to do after reading?

• Write production-ready Dockerfiles for Node.js applications.
• Deploy multi-container applications in Kubernetes.
• Configure auto-scaling under load.
• Integrate monitoring and alerting for Node.js services.
• Implement zero-downtime deployment using Rolling Updates.
• Work with Helm charts and manage configuration.

The book contains many ready-made code examples, YAML manifests, and step-by-step instructions. All examples are tested on current versions of Node.js 20+ and Kubernetes 1.28+. You will gain not only theory but also practical skills that you can immediately apply at work.

Note: The book assumes basic knowledge of JavaScript and Node.js. Experience with Docker and Kubernetes is not required — all necessary concepts are explained from scratch.

Dive into the world of cloud technologies and learn to manage Node.js applications like a professional!