helm-chart-patterns
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.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/nickcrew/claude-cortex --skill helm-chart-patterns- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads helm-chart-patterns automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
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
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
Chart.yaml | Metadata, version, dependencies |
values.yaml | Default configuration |
values.schema.json | Input validation |
templates/_helpers.tpl | Reusable template functions |
templates/*.yaml | Kubernetes 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
| Task | Load reference |
|---|---|
| Chart structure & Chart.yaml | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/chart-structure.md |
| Values file patterns | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/values-patterns.md |
| Template patterns & functions | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/template-patterns.md |
| Dependencies & subcharts | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/dependencies.md |
| Hooks & lifecycle | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/hooks.md |
| Testing patterns | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/testing.md |
| Packaging & distribution | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/packaging.md |
| Helmfile multi-chart | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/helmfile.md |
| Best practices checklist | skills/helm-chart-patterns/references/best-practices.md |
Workflow
- Structure - Set up chart directory with Chart.yaml and values.yaml
- Template - Create Kubernetes manifests with Go templating
- Helpers - Extract common patterns into _helpers.tpl
- Validate - Use values.schema.json for input validation
- Test - Lint, template, and run chart tests
- Package - Create .tgz and publish to repository
Essential Commands
# 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
nindentfor 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
- Helm Documentation: https://helm.sh/docs/
- Chart Template Guide: https://helm.sh/docs/chart_template_guide/
- Best Practices: https://helm.sh/docs/chart_best_practices/
- Helmfile: https://github.com/helmfile/helmfile
- Chart Testing: https://github.com/helm/chart-testing
FAQ
What does the helm-chart-patterns skill do?
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.
How do I install helm-chart-patterns?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/nickcrew/claude-cortex --skill helm-chart-patterns in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/helm-chart-patterns/ (personal) or .claude/skills/helm-chart-patterns/ (project).
Which AI agents can use helm-chart-patterns?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is helm-chart-patterns safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains helm-chart-patterns?
It is published by nickcrew in nickcrew/claude-cortex. It has 179 recorded installs.
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