Kubernetes is a leading container-management technology known for its scalability and reliability, largely due to its flexible and developer-friendly API that manages resources through metadata such as labels and annotations. Labels, which are key-value pairs used to group, filter, and operate resources, are crucial for tasks like scheduling, managing replicas, and routing services within Kubernetes. Annotations, on the other hand, store non-identifying metadata to provide additional information about resources without affecting their grouping or operations. Best practices for using labels and annotations include adhering to correct syntax, distinguishing between identifiers and non-identifiers, and leveraging standard labels for release management and debugging. The strategic use of these metadata tools can enhance clarity, maintainability, and operational efficiency in Kubernetes clusters. Furthermore, tools like Komodor can aid in troubleshooting and managing these complex environments by offering insights and automation features, thus simplifying the deployment and debugging of applications in Kubernetes.