Helm Chart Scaffolding

When to use this skill

Use Helm Chart Scaffolding when an AI agent needs a reusable SKILL.md workflow for this job: Design, organize, and manage Helm charts for templating and packaging Kubernetes applications with reusable configurations. Use when creating Helm charts, packaging Kubernetes applications, or implementing templated deployments.

When not to use it

Skip Helm Chart Scaffolding when the task is outside the coding category, or when a more specific skill in this directory already covers the same workflow with clearer triggers.

How to install

1. Personal install: create ~/.claude/skills/helm-chart-scaffolding/SKILL.md (and any bundled scripts) so Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and compatible agents can load it in every project.
2. Project install: commit the same folder at .claude/skills/helm-chart-scaffolding/ so teammates get the skill with the repo.
3. Restart the agent session after copying files so it re-scans the skills directory, then ask for the task in words that match the skill description.

Full install guide for Claude, Cursor, and Codex

What this skill does

# Helm Chart Scaffolding

Comprehensive guidance for creating, organizing, and managing Helm charts for packaging and deploying Kubernetes applications.

## Purpose

This skill provides step-by-step instructions for building production-ready Helm charts, including chart structure, templating patterns, values management, and validation strategies.

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

- Create new Helm charts from scratch - Package Kubernetes applications for distribution - Manage multi-environment deployments with Helm - Implement templating for reusable Kubernetes manifests - Set up Helm chart repositories - Follow Helm best practices and conventions

## Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in `references/details.md`. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.

## Best Practices

1. **Use semantic versioning** for chart and app versions 2. **Document all values** in values.yaml with comments 3. **Use template helpers** for repeated logic 4. **Validate charts** before packaging 5. **Pin dependency versions** explicitly 6. **Use conditions** for optional resources 7. **Follow naming conventions** (lowercase, hyphens) 8. **Include NOTES.txt** with usage instructions 9. **Add labels** consistently using helpers 10. **Test installations** in all environments

## Troubleshooting

**Template rendering errors:**

```bash helm template my-app ./my-app --debug ```

**Dependency issues:**

```bash helm dependency update helm dependency list ```

**Installation failures:**

```bash helm install my-app ./my-app --dry-run --debug kubectl get events --sort-by='.lastTimestamp' ```

## Related Skills

- `k8s-manifest-generator` - For creating base Kubernetes manifests - `gitops-workflow` - For automated Helm chart deployments

Intended uses

• Create new Helm charts from scratch
• Package Kubernetes applications for distribution
• Manage multi-environment deployments with Helm
• Implement templating for reusable Kubernetes manifests
• Set up Helm chart repositories
• Follow Helm best practices and conventions