What are Kubernetes Helm Charts?

Kubernetes is a beloved tool within the container community, designed to be flexible enough to work with any app and services it's integrated in. With tons of community support and updates, Kubernetes is ever-changing. However, if there’s one thing that all developers using Kubernetes can agree on is that it’s extremely hard to use. Luckily, Helm and Kubernetes Helm charts exist to streamline Kubernetes application management.

Originally created by DeisLabs and now a graduated project managed by CNCF, Helm is an open source package manager for Kubernetes aimed at simplifying the definition, installation, upgrading, and management of apps within clusters. The power of Helm lies within its ability to package all of the components necessary for application operations within Helm charts that are easily replicated and launched- Helm packaging these components automatically is just the cherry on top. 

Helm charts are just a piece of the puzzle that is Helm. Unlike the many components Kubernetes requires, Helm operates very lightly and works within a set amount of concepts and moving parts.

Kubernetes Helm Components

Helm itself includes 3 different types of technology that drive operation, including: 

Helm Chart 

Helm charts are packages created by Helm that consist of everything an application needs in order to run inside a cluster. 

Much like Helm, Helm charts are made of components such as:

• Chart.yaml - The chart itself, responsible for defining app metadata
• Values.yaml - Responsible for setting values with charts, as well as substitutes in case execution isn’t possible 
• templates/ - The templates directory responsible for housing templates and creating Kubernetes manifests from values
• charts/ - The charts directory responsible for storing chart dependencies defined by the user

Repository

The Helm chart repository is the location where charts are stored.

Release 

A release is an instance of the current chart running within a cluster

It’s important to note that releases are created once a new Helm chart is installed, allowing you to modify your charts as you please and run them in the same cluster instantaneously and without conflict. 

Revolving primarily around charts, Helm operations sees Helm installing charts into Kubernetes, therefore creating new releases for each chart iteration, and growing the repository that is readily available to users.

In order to operate Helm, Helm is split into two specific parts accessible by users and Kubernetes API:

Helm Client

The Helm Client is the command line interface (CLI) for end users, mobilizing charts and releases. Outside of its primary function, Helm Client is responsible for things like:

• Local chart development
• Release and repository management
• Facilitating Helm library requests from user demands, including installation, upgrading, and uninstalling

Helm Library

If the Helm Client is where users make requests, the Helm Library is where the operations occur. The Helm Library turns user requests into actionable tasks, providing valuable logic for the Kubernetes API server. Outside of this crucial aspect of Helm, the Helm Library is responsible for:

• Combining charts and desired user configurations to build releases
• Managing chart states and resources within clusters

The Helm Library itself, contrary to its name, does not require its own database. 

Helm Chart Kubernetes Uses and Benefits

Helm is certainly useful, however, not all applications are able to directly benefit from Helm.

Applications utilizing tons of microservices and working in conjunction with multiple applications are amongst two of the most popular use cases for Helm. These apps are also prone to updates, with Helm aiding in this process as well as with rollbacks. The same can be applied to a Kubernetes cluster.

Similarly, Helm excels in testing and environment-specific configurations, allowing users to run through specific scenarios and rollback with releases.

Another popular use case of Helm is within continuous integration and continuous development (CI/CD), acting as a consistent tool within this ever-operating process.

Kubernetes is complex. In order to manually deploy your applications, you first must define every single YAML configuration, from resource allocation to debugging. This manual deployment requires hands-on teams and around-the-clock monitoring, something that Helm charts render obsolete.

Helm simplifies development and deployment by offering a single CLI, enabling easy instance state modification. Instead of manual configuration YAML files to push for installation and upgrading, users can now use Helm Client to push these changes. Using Helm, users no longer have to manually configure each aspect of their application, as Helm houses all aspects of an app within charts. This configuration also accounts for backlogging and strong version control, with releases acting as reliable jumping points if your current application state isn’t desirable. 

Helm allows users to tackle complex deployments that might be using an outstanding amount of microservices across different service providers, creating a consistent environment across all deployments.

Managing Kubernetes Resources Using Helm via Lyrid

Even with the most complex Kubernetes application, Helm offers a simple yet powerful tool that any developer can use. For those looking for the power and flexibility of Kubernetes coupled with the simplicity of Helm, look no further than Lyrid Managed Kubernetes! Lyrid Managed Kubernetes removes the headache of hosting your own K8s deployment, giving you all of the benefits such as:

• Streamlined app deployment via Helm charts
• Automatic Kubernetes resources distribution
• Automatic cluster scaling to meet real-time demand
• Simple cluster management through Lyrid Kubernetes API 

And more!

Manage Kubernetes applications, cluster states, and deployment processes all within a single pane of glass.

Interested in learning more? Visit our Kubernetes page, and book a meeting with one of our product specialists for a demo!