[smackeyacky]

Use container registries and automatic pull deployment. AWS fargate, Azure App Services both allow this method of working.

I.e. github action to do your build, test. Dont do the docker push to the repository unless it passes the tests. Always do your docker push from the correct branch. If you need approval for release, build that into the pipeline.

Azure pipelines pretty much the same deal.

You don't need kubernetes for a few services, it only gets useful when you have a lot.