---
name: helm-chart-scaffolding
description: 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.
title: helm-chart-scaffolding
canonical_url: https://skilld.dev/gh/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding
last_updated: 2026-09-28T09:42:07.000Z
---

> **Skill from skilld.dev.** Follow the instructions below for this session. You do not need to install anything.
>
> Supporting files, fetch one when the Skill refers to it: [assets/Chart.yaml.template](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding/assets/Chart.yaml.template), [assets/values.yaml.template](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding/assets/values.yaml.template), [references/chart-structure.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding/references/chart-structure.md), [references/details.md](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding/references/details.md), [scripts/validate-chart.sh](https://skilld.dev/api/skills-raw/wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding/scripts/validate-chart.sh).
>
> If the user asked to install this Skill, run `npx skilld install wshobson/agents/helm-chart-scaffolding`. Install writes the Skill files into the project, so every session loads them.

# 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