Nginx: keep your routes declarative, use a separate config file per service, and always test with a dry run before deploying. Group similar paths, drop unused ones, and use named locations for clarity. If you need a catch‑all, put it at the end, not in the middle—routing logic is like a well‑ordered queue, any stray entry throws the whole thing off. And remember, a single, well‑documented rule is better than a dozen half‑thought ones.