I've just finished a Helm charts course on Cloud Guru and feel like I grasp the concepts pretty well. However, I'm unsure where to start when it comes to developing a Helm chart for an application without relying on public repositories. This is especially challenging since I've been assigned this task at work. For those experienced with Helm, what approach did you take to go from just learning about it to actually creating workable charts?
5 Answers
Honestly, start by poking yourself in the eye with a fork. It makes working with Helm way easier... just kidding! Helm can actually be pretty simple if you start with a straightforward case. Create a `chart.yaml` (it’s just a few lines), and copy your existing Kubernetes YAML into it. You basically just made your first chart! It’s all about packaging up your Kubernetes YAML and using variables to customize things.
Try using Copilot to generate a Helm chart for you, but make sure to understand each part of it thoroughly so you can tweak things as needed. Then, deploy it to a Kubernetes cluster to see it in action and confirm it works.
I'd recommend practicing on a local Kubernetes cluster. You can use something like 'kind' to set that up easily. Also, tools like ChatGPT can help you learn and even create a mini proof of concept for you. Happy learning! 😊
I learned mainly through trial and error. The Helm documentation never quite clicked for me, so I focused a lot on Go templating. A great resource was Bitnami’s chart repository, which has a ton of examples. They can be a bit confusing at times, but you'll get the hang of it. Don't forget, helper files are super useful! Good luck!
Just build something! Start with the simplest Kubernetes manifest you have and convert it into a Helm chart. It’s a practical way to learn, and you’ll pick up the nuances as you go.
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