Introduction to Helm

• Overview of Helm:
  • What is Helm?
  • Benefits of using Helm in Kubernetes
  • Helm Architecture (Helm CLI, Charts, Releases, Repositories)
• Helm vs. plain Kubernetes manifests

Creating a Basic Helm Chart

• Create a simple Helm chart from scratch:
  • Structure of a Helm chart (Chart.yaml, values.yaml, templates/)
  • Writing basic templates for Kubernetes resources (Deployment, Service)
  • Packaging and installing the chart
  • Exploring the release in the Kubernetes cluster

Advanced Helm Chart Features

• Exploring Helm values and template functions:
  • Using values.yaml for customization
  • Conditional and loop structures in templates
  • Common Helm template functions (include, required, lookup, etc.)
• Chart dependencies and sub-charts:
  • Managing dependencies in requirements.yaml
  • Best practices for structuring sub-charts

Advanced Helm Chart Customization

• Implementing advanced features in a Helm chart:
  • Adding configuration for multiple environments
  • Managing secrets and sensitive data
  • Creating reusable templates
• Deploying and testing the chart with customized values

Helm Chart Best Practices

• Helm chart versioning and repository management:
  • Semantic versioning for Helm charts
  • Publishing charts to a Helm repository
• Best practices for maintaining Helm charts:
  • Keeping charts DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself)
  • Writing clean and maintainable templates
  • Security considerations (managing secrets, validating inputs)
  • Testing Helm charts (linting, unit testing, and CI/CD integration)

Implementing Best Practices

• Refactoring an existing chart to follow best practices:
  • Adding linting and basic testing to a chart
  • Improving the structure and readability of templates
  • Securing sensitive values using Helm best practices
• Deploying the refactored chart and verifying improvements

Troubleshooting and Debugging Helm Charts

• Common issues with Helm charts and how to troubleshoot them:
  • Debugging template errors
  • Handling failed deployments
  • Upgrading and rolling back releases
• Hands-on debugging session:
  • Participants troubleshoot pre-prepared faulty charts
  • Discussing solutions and prevention strategies