Is Mastering Helm Worthwhile for Kubernetes Management?

It really depends on how you use it. If you're deploying software to clients who expect Helm charts, then it's definitely worth your time. Helm acts like a package manager for Kubernetes, helping you manage different applications and their configurations. If you're just deploying internally, tools like Kustomize plus GitOps might be more fitting since they can be simpler and less complex than Helm. Just think of Helm as a way to package installations and it should make more sense!

While Helm is popular, there are better tools for internal deployments. For example, we use YTT and Kapp, which are less complex and often a better fit. Helm can definitely handle complex stacks, but sometimes it complicates things more than it helps. Look into FluxCD and ArgoCD as alternatives to streamline your Kubernetes management!

In my experience, Helm serves a purpose, but if you don’t need to package for external use, it might add unnecessary complexity. You really need to assess your use case. There are definitely simpler tools out there that can do the job without the overhead of Helm!

We actually use Helm charts extensively for our services. Each service has its own chart, sometimes with sub-charts for dependencies like Redis. We deploy everything via Argo and manage values for different environments easily. Personally, I find it really useful, but it all boils down to your specific needs!