diff --git a/k8s/base/backend/deployment.yaml b/k8s/base/backend/deployment.yaml
index 31645d0..8bbad93 100644
--- a/k8s/base/backend/deployment.yaml
+++ b/k8s/base/backend/deployment.yaml
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ spec:
         app.kubernetes.io/name: backend
         app.kubernetes.io/component: api
     spec:
+      terminationGracePeriodSeconds: 15
       initContainers:
         - name: wait-for-mysql
           image: busybox:1.36
@@ -64,10 +65,10 @@ spec:
           resources:
             requests:
               cpu: 100m
-              memory: 256Mi
+              memory: 128Mi   # Request drives scheduling — keep low so pods fit on nodes
             limits:
               cpu: 500m
-              memory: 512Mi
+              memory: 512Mi   # Limit prevents OOMKill during startup spikes
           livenessProbe:
             httpGet:
               path: /api/health