During a rolling update, users see 502 errors briefly. Which probe configuration most directly prevents traffic reaching a pod before it is ready?

1. A livenessProbe
2. ✓ B readinessProbe (correct answer)
3. C startupProbe
4. D No probe; increase replicas

Shortcut: The readiness probe controls Service endpoint membership. Until it passes, the pod receives no traffic. Liveness restarts unhealthy containers; startup guards slow initialisation.