Creating Charts
Learn how to create, structure, and manage Helm charts effectively. Master the art of packaging Kubernetes applications for distribution.
Prerequisites
What You Should Know Before Starting
Essential knowledge for creating Helm charts
- Understanding of Kubernetes resources
- Basic knowledge of YAML syntax
- Experience with command line tools
- Familiarity with package management concepts
Learning Topics
Chart Structure
Understanding the anatomy of a Helm chart
Learning Objectives:
- •Chart.yaml
- •values.yaml
- •templates/
- •charts/
- •Chart Dependencies
- •Chart Metadata
Template Development
Creating and managing Kubernetes templates
Learning Objectives:
- •Template Syntax
- •Go Templates
- •Built-in Objects
- •Template Functions
- •Control Structures
Values Management
Managing configuration with values files
Learning Objectives:
- •Default Values
- •Custom Values
- •Value Overrides
- •Environment-specific Values
- •Value Validation
Chart Testing
Testing and validating your Helm charts
Learning Objectives:
- •helm test
- •Chart Testing
- •Template Testing
- •Dry Run
- •Linting
Key Concepts
Chart Structure
The standard directory structure and files that make up a Helm chart.
- • Chart.yaml - Chart metadata
- • values.yaml - Default configuration
- • templates/ - Kubernetes manifests
- • charts/ - Chart dependencies
Template Engine
Using Go templates to create dynamic Kubernetes manifests.
- • Template syntax and functions
- • Built-in objects and variables
- • Control structures and loops
- • Template inheritance
Values Management
Managing configuration through values files and overrides.
- • Default and custom values
- • Value precedence and merging
- • Environment-specific configurations
- • Value validation and schemas
Chart Testing
Testing and validating charts before distribution.
- • Template rendering tests
- • Chart linting and validation
- • Dry-run installations
- • Integration testing
Chart Development Workflow
1. Initialize
Create a new chart with the standard structure.
2. Develop
Write templates and define values for your application.
3. Test
Validate and test your chart before packaging.
4. Package
Package and distribute your chart to repositories.
Ready to Continue?
Master chart creation, then learn about advanced templating techniques.