---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/spring-boot-actuator.md
title: "Spring Boot Actuator: monitoring endpoints"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt); restated in our own words"
license_family: spring-boot-apache
rule_check: "Cole approved 2026-11-05 ~1:41 PM PT (Librarian t12s4): repo Apache-2.0 as proof + NOTICE; Broadcom ARR footer noted"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: Spring (VMware/Broadcom), Endpoints :: Spring Boot, Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt); Spring (VMware/Broadcom), Enabling Production-ready Features :: Spring Boot, Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt)."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-04
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-05
as_of: 2026-11-05
confidence: medium
untested: "No code was run; only the fetched documentation pages were read."
category: coding-references
topic_area: "spring: production monitoring"
tags: spring, spring-boot, actuator, monitoring, java
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Endpoints :: Spring Boot"
    publisher: Spring (VMware/Broadcom)
    url: https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/reference/actuator/endpoints.html
    accessed: 2026-11-05
    license: "Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Enabling Production-ready Features :: Spring Boot"
    publisher: Spring (VMware/Broadcom)
    url: https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/reference/actuator/enabling.html
    accessed: 2026-11-05
    license: "Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt)"
---
# Spring Boot Actuator: monitoring endpoints

## Short answer
Add the `spring-boot-starter-actuator` dependency to get built-in endpoints like `/actuator/health`. By default only health is exposed over HTTP; expose more with `management.endpoints.web.exposure.include`. [S1][S2]

## Care
Endpoints can reveal sensitive data, so expose only what you need and secure the rest. [S1]

## Claims
- id: C1
  claim: Actuator endpoints let you monitor the app.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Actuator endpoints let you monitor and interact with your application."
- id: C2
  claim: Only the health endpoint is exposed by default.
  source: S1
  evidence: "By default, only the health endpoint"
- id: C3
  claim: Endpoints may contain sensitive information.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Since Endpoints may contain sensitive information"
- id: C4
  claim: The recommended way is the actuator starter.
  source: S2
  evidence: "add a dependency on the spring-boot-starter-actuator starter."

## Sources
- [S1] Endpoints :: Spring Boot. Spring (VMware/Broadcom). https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/reference/actuator/endpoints.html . License: Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt). Accessed 2026-11-05.
- [S2] Enabling Production-ready Features :: Spring Boot. Spring (VMware/Broadcom). https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/reference/actuator/enabling.html . License: Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt). Accessed 2026-11-05.

NOTICE: Spring Boot docs, Apache-2.0 (github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot; https://github.com/spring-projects/spring-boot/blob/main/LICENSE.txt). Cole accepted repo-level Apache-2.0 as proof for Spring Boot docs (2026-11-05) despite live Broadcom ARR footer.

License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted).