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skills/helm-practices/SKILL.md

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+# Helm Best Practices
+
+This skill provides Helm chart development and maintenance patterns.
+
+## When to Use
+
+Activates when:
+- Working with Helm charts
+- Modifying Chart.yaml dependencies
+- Updating Helm values
+- Deploying applications with Helm
+
+## Dependency Management
+
+### Critical Rules
+
+**Always use `helm dependency update`** - NOT `helm dependency build`
+
+```bash
+# Correct
+helm dependency update
+
+# Wrong - Don't use this
+helm dependency build
+```
+
+**After changing Chart.yaml dependencies:**
+
+1. Run `helm dependency update` to fetch updated dependencies
+2. Run `make check-deps` before committing changes
+3. Pre-commit hooks automatically rebuild dependencies
+
+### Common Workflow
+
+```bash
+# 1. Modify Chart.yaml
+vim Chart.yaml
+
+# 2. Update dependencies
+helm dependency update
+
+# 3. Check dependencies
+make check-deps
+
+# 4. Commit changes (pre-commit hook runs automatically)
+git add Chart.yaml Chart.lock charts/
+git commit -m "update helm dependencies"
+```
+
+## Helm Commands
+
+### Testing Charts
+
+```bash
+# Template and check output
+helm template <release-name> <chart-path>
+
+# Template with specific values
+helm template <release-name> <chart-path> -f values.yaml
+
+# Dry-run install
+helm install <release-name> <chart-path> --dry-run --debug
+```
+
+### Debugging
+
+```bash
+# Check current values
+helm get values <release-name>
+
+# Check all computed values
+helm get values <release-name> --all
+
+# Get manifest
+helm get manifest <release-name>
+```
+
+## Best Practices
+
+### Chart Structure
+- Keep templates focused and modular
+- Use helpers (`_helpers.tpl`) for repeated logic
+- Document all values in `values.yaml` with comments
+- Use semantic versioning for chart versions
+
+### Values Organization
+- Use nested structures for related values
+- Provide sensible defaults
+- Document required vs optional values
+- Use `.Values` consistently
+
+### Dependency Management
+- Pin dependency versions explicitly
+- Use repository URLs, not local paths in production
+- Keep `Chart.lock` in version control
+- Run `make check-deps` before committing
+
+## Common Gotchas
+
+❌ **Don't:**
+- Use `helm dependency build` (use `update` instead)
+- Forget to run `make check-deps` before committing
+- Commit without running pre-commit hooks
+- Hard-code values that should be configurable
+
+✅ **Do:**
+- Use `helm dependency update` for dependency changes
+- Run `make check-deps` as part of your workflow
+- Let pre-commit hooks rebuild dependencies automatically
+- Make values configurable and well-documented