AgentSkillsCN

helm-chart-patterns

Helm图表开发模式，用于打包和部署Kubernetes应用。当创建可重用Helm图表、管理多环境部署或构建Kubernetes应用目录时使用。

SKILL.md
--- frontmatter
name: helm-chart-patterns
description: Helm chart development patterns for packaging and deploying Kubernetes applications. Use when creating reusable Helm charts, managing multi-environment deployments, or building application catalogs for Kubernetes.

Helm Chart Patterns

Expert guidance for developing production-grade Helm charts covering chart structure, templating patterns, multi-environment configuration, dependency management, testing strategies, and distribution workflows for Kubernetes application packaging.

When to Use This Skill

  • •Creating reusable Helm charts for applications and services
  • •Building application catalogs and chart repositories
  • •Managing multi-environment deployments (dev, staging, production)
  • •Implementing advanced templating with conditionals and loops
  • •Managing chart dependencies and subcharts
  • •Implementing chart hooks for lifecycle management
  • •Testing and validating chart templates
  • •Packaging and distributing charts via repositories
  • •Using Helmfile for multi-chart orchestration

Core Concepts

Chart Types

  • •Application charts: Standard deployable charts for your services
  • •Library charts: Reusable template helpers (not directly installable)

Key Files

FilePurpose
Chart.yamlMetadata, version, dependencies
values.yamlDefault configuration
values.schema.jsonInput validation
templates/_helpers.tplReusable template functions
templates/*.yamlKubernetes manifests

Template Essentials

  • •Quote strings: {{ .Values.name | quote }}
  • •Indent properly: {{- toYaml . | nindent 4 }}
  • •Use helpers: {{ include "my-app.fullname" . }}
  • •Check nil: {{- if .Values.optional }}

Quick Reference

TaskLoad reference
Chart structure & Chart.yamlskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/chart-structure.md
Values file patternsskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/values-patterns.md
Template patterns & functionsskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/template-patterns.md
Dependencies & subchartsskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/dependencies.md
Hooks & lifecycleskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/hooks.md
Testing patternsskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/testing.md
Packaging & distributionskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/packaging.md
Helmfile multi-chartskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/helmfile.md
Best practices checklistskills/helm-chart-patterns/references/best-practices.md

Workflow

  1. •Structure - Set up chart directory with Chart.yaml and values.yaml
  2. •Template - Create Kubernetes manifests with Go templating
  3. •Helpers - Extract common patterns into _helpers.tpl
  4. •Validate - Use values.schema.json for input validation
  5. •Test - Lint, template, and run chart tests
  6. •Package - Create .tgz and publish to repository

Essential Commands

bash
# Development
helm create my-app          # Scaffold new chart
helm lint ./my-app          # Validate chart
helm template my-app ./my-app  # Render templates

# Dependencies
helm dependency update      # Download dependencies
helm dependency list        # Show dependencies

# Testing
helm install my-app ./my-app --dry-run --debug
helm test my-app

# Distribution
helm package ./my-app
helm repo index . --url https://charts.example.com
helm push my-app-1.0.0.tgz oci://registry.example.com/charts

Common Mistakes

  • •Forgetting to quote strings in templates
  • •Not using nindent for proper YAML formatting
  • •Committing secrets to values files
  • •Missing security contexts (runAsNonRoot, drop capabilities)
  • •Not pinning dependency versions
  • •Skipping values.schema.json validation
  • •Not testing upgrades from previous versions

Resources