Helm: Packaging Kubernetes Apps

What is Helm?

Helm is the package manager for Kubernetes. A chart bundles manifests, defaults and templates; you install it with values instead of hand-editing YAML files.

Installing a Chart

helm repo add bitnami https://charts.bitnami.com/bitnami
helm install my-mysql bitnami/mysql
helm list
kubectl get pods

Values Files

Charts are parameterised through values.yaml. Override only what you need:

auth:
  rootPassword: change-me
  database: shop

primary:
  persistence:
    size: 8Gi

helm upgrade my-mysql bitnami/mysql -f my-values.yaml
helm rollback my-mysql

Chart Structure

myapp/
├── Chart.yaml          # name, version, description
├── values.yaml         # default values
└── templates/          # Go-template manifests
    ├── deployment.yaml
    └── service.yaml

Key Points

• Helm = templates + values for repeatable installs.
• helm upgrade updates and rollback reverts releases.
• Use stable, maintained charts for common components like databases.