helm-chart-scaffolding

Overview

What is helm-chart-scaffolding?

helm-chart-scaffolding is a practical skill for developers and DevOps engineers who need to design, organize, and manage Helm charts for Kubernetes applications. It provides a structured approach to creating reusable, production-ready Helm charts, including templates, validation scripts, and best practices for multi-environment deployments.

Who should use this skill?

• Kubernetes application developers
• DevOps and platform engineers
• Teams standardizing deployment workflows with Helm
• Anyone packaging applications for Kubernetes using Helm charts

Problems solved

• Reduces manual setup and errors when creating new Helm charts
• Ensures charts follow best practices and standard structure
• Simplifies templating and configuration management for complex deployments
• Provides validation scripts to catch issues early in the development cycle

How to Use

Installation Steps

1. Add the skill to your agent or project using:

   npx skills add https://github.com/wshobson/agents --skill helm-chart-scaffolding

2. Review the main documentation and templates:

   • Start with SKILL.md for a high-level guide.
   • Explore assets/Chart.yaml.template and assets/values.yaml.template to scaffold new charts.
   • Reference references/chart-structure.md for directory and file conventions.
   • Use scripts/validate-chart.sh to validate your chart structure and configuration.

Typical Workflow

1. Scaffold a New Helm Chart

• Use the Helm CLI to create a new chart structure:

  helm create my-app
  

• Replace or customize the generated files with templates from the assets/ directory for consistency.

2. Organize Your Chart

• Follow the directory and file structure outlined in references/chart-structure.md to ensure compatibility and maintainability.
• Place Kubernetes manifest templates in the templates/ directory.
• Use values.yaml for default configuration and parameterization.

3. Validate Your Chart

• Run the validation script to check for common issues:

  ./scripts/validate-chart.sh path/to/your/chart
  

• The script checks for required files, directory structure, and runs helm lint for best practice compliance.

4. Iterate and Deploy

• Update your chart as needed, using the provided templates and references.
• Package and deploy your application using standard Helm commands.

Key Files and Folders

• SKILL.md: Main usage guide
• assets/Chart.yaml.template, assets/values.yaml.template: Starting points for new charts
• references/chart-structure.md: Detailed chart structure reference
• scripts/validate-chart.sh: Automated chart validation

FAQ

When should I use helm-chart-scaffolding?

Use this skill when you need to create new Helm charts, enforce best practices, or validate chart structure for Kubernetes deployments. It's especially useful for teams standardizing their Helm workflows.

What are the prerequisites?

You need Helm installed on your system. The validation script also requires basic shell utilities.

Can I use helm-chart-scaffolding with existing charts?

Yes. You can apply the templates, references, and validation script to existing Helm charts to improve structure and compliance.

Where can I find more examples or documentation?

Check the references/ and assets/ directories for templates and structural guides. The SKILL.md file provides a step-by-step overview.

How do I validate my chart?

Run ./scripts/validate-chart.sh path/to/your/chart to check for required files and run helm lint automatically.

Open the Files tab to explore the full file tree, including templates, references, and helper scripts for advanced usage.