[Solved] You added this line to your Dockerfile:HEALTHCHECK CMD curl -f http://localhost:8080/actuator/health || exit 1but the health check never executes after container start. What is a likely reason? | Spring Boot

Spring Boot - Docker and Deployment

You added this line to your Dockerfile:

HEALTHCHECK CMD curl -f http://localhost:8080/actuator/health || exit 1

but the health check never executes after container start. What is a likely reason?

AThe container image does not include the <code>curl</code> binary.

BThe <code>HEALTHCHECK</code> instruction must be placed before <code>CMD</code> in Dockerfile.

CThe health check URL is incorrect and returns 404.

DDocker requires health checks to be disabled explicitly.

Step-by-Step Solution

Solution:

Step 1: Check if curl is available
If curl is missing, the health check command cannot run, so it never executes properly.
Step 2: Other options analysis
Placement of HEALTHCHECK relative to CMD is flexible; incorrect URL would cause failures but still run; Docker does not require disabling health checks.
Final Answer:
The container image does not include the curl binary. -> Option A
Quick Check:
Missing curl binary prevents health check execution [OK]

Quick Trick: Missing curl in image causes health check to fail silently [OK]

Common Mistakes:

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