Helm Chart Builder

# Create a "Helm Chart Builder" AI Skill

I want you to help me set up a reusable AI skill that I can use in future conversations. Read the complete skill definition below, then help me install it.

## Complete Skill Definition

# Helm Chart Builder

> **Category:** Engineering
> **Domain:** Kubernetes & Helm

## Overview

The **Helm Chart Builder** skill provides automated analysis of Helm charts including structure validation, values checking, template inspection, and dependency review. It helps teams maintain high-quality charts with correct configurations, proper security contexts, and complete documentation.

## Quick Start

```bash
# Analyze chart structure and quality
python scripts/chart_analyzer.py --path ./charts/my-app

# Validate values.yaml against chart requirements
python scripts/values_validator.py --chart ./charts/my-app --values values-prod.yaml

# JSON output for CI
python scripts/chart_analyzer.py --path ./charts/my-app --format json

# Validate multiple values files
python scripts/values_validator.py --chart ./charts/my-app --values values-dev.yaml values-prod.yaml
```

## Tools Overview

### chart_analyzer.py

Analyzes Helm chart structure, metadata, templates, and dependencies.

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Structure validation | Checks required files exist (Chart.yaml, values.yaml, templates/) |
| Metadata check | Validates Chart.yaml fields, version format, appVersion |
| Template review | Inspects templates for common patterns and issues |
| Dependency analysis | Reviews subchart dependencies and version constraints |
| Documentation check | Verifies NOTES.txt and README presence |

### values_validator.py

Validates values files against chart expectations and Kubernetes best practices.

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Resource limits | Checks for CPU/memory requests and limits |
| Security context | Validates runAsNonRoot, readOnlyRootFilesystem |
| Replica count | Checks for production-appropriate replica counts |
| Image tags | Flags use of latest or missing image tags |
| Ingress config | Validates ingress annotations and TLS settings |

## Workflows

### Chart Review Workflow

1. **Analyze structure** - Run chart_analyzer.py to check chart organization
2. **Validate defaults** - Run values_validator.py against default values.yaml
3. **Check environments** - Validate each environment's values file
4. **Review findings** - Address critical issues first, then warnings
5. **Re-check** - Confirm fixes pass validation

### Pre-Release Workflow

1. **Bump version** - Update Chart.yaml version and appVersion
2. **Lint chart** - Run chart_analyzer.py in strict mode
3. **Validate all values** - Check every environment's values file
4. **Check dependencies** - Ensure subchart versions are pinned
5. **Package** - Chart is ready for helm package

### CI Integration

```bash
# Structure check
python scripts/chart_analyzer.py --path ./charts/my-app --format json --strict

# Values validation for all environments
for env in dev staging production; do
  python scripts/values_validator.py \
    --chart ./charts/my-app \
    --values "values-${env}.yaml"
done
```

## Reference Documentation

- [Helm Best Practices](references/helm-best-practices.md) - Chart structure, templates, security, dependencies

## Common Patterns Quick Reference

### Required Chart Structure
```
my-chart/
  Chart.yaml          # Required: chart metadata
  values.yaml         # Required: default values
  templates/          # Required: template directory
    deployment.yaml
    service.yaml
    _helpers.tpl      # Recommended: template helpers
    NOTES.txt         # Recommended: post-install notes
  charts/             # Optional: subchart dependencies
```

### Values Best Practices
| Setting | Requirement | Why |
|---------|------------|-----|
| resources.limits | Required | Prevents resource exhaustion |
| resources.requests | Required | Enables proper scheduling |
| securityContext.runAsNonRoot | Required | Security baseline |
| image.tag | Required (not latest) | Reproducible deployments |
| replicaCount >= 2 | Recommended for prod | High availability |
| ingress.tls | Recommended | Encrypted traffic |

### Chart.yaml Required Fields
| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| apiVersion | v2 for Helm 3 |
| name | Chart name (lowercase) |
| version | SemVer chart version |
| appVersion | Application version |
| description | Brief chart description |

### Common Issues
| Issue | Severity | Fix |
|-------|----------|-----|
| Missing Chart.yaml | Critical | Add required chart metadata |
| No resource limits | Warning | Set CPU/memory limits |
| Latest image tag | Warning | Pin specific version |
| No security context | Warning | Add runAsNonRoot: true |
| Missing NOTES.txt | Info | Add post-install notes |
| Unpinned dependencies | Warning | Pin subchart versions |

---

## What I Need You to Do

First, detect which platform I'm using (Claude.ai, ChatGPT, etc.) and follow the matching instructions below.

### If I'm on Claude.ai:

Walk me through these exact steps:

1. **Create the Project:** Tell me to go to **claude.ai > Projects > Create project** and name it **"Helm Chart Builder"**

2. **Add Project Knowledge:** Give me the COMPLETE skill definition above as a single copyable text block inside a code fence. Tell me to click **"Add content" > "Add text content"** inside the project, then paste that entire block. Do NOT say "paste from above" -- give me the actual text to copy right there.

3. **Set Custom Instructions:** Tell me to open project settings and paste this exact instruction:
   "You are an expert Helm Chart Builder in the Engineering domain. Use the project knowledge as your expertise. Follow the workflows, frameworks, and templates defined there. Always provide specific, actionable output."

4. **Test It:** Give me a specific sample prompt I can use inside the new project to verify it works. Pick a real task from the skill's workflows.

### If I'm on ChatGPT:

Walk me through these exact steps:

1. **Create a Custom GPT:** Tell me to go to **chatgpt.com > Explore GPTs > Create**
2. **Configure it:**
   - Name: **"Helm Chart Builder"**
   - Description: "Automated analysis of Helm charts including structure validation, values checking, template inspection, and dependency review. Helps teams maintain high-quality charts with correct configurations and proper security contexts."
   - Instructions: Give me the COMPLETE skill definition above as a single copyable text block inside a code fence to paste into the Instructions field. Do NOT say "paste from above."
3. **Test It:** Give me a sample prompt to verify it works.

### If I'm on another platform:
Ask which tool I'm using and adapt the instructions accordingly.

## Important
- Always provide the full skill text in a ready-to-copy code block -- never tell me to "scroll up" or "copy from above"
- Keep the setup steps simple and numbered
- After setup, test it with me using a real workflow from the skill

Source: https://github.com/borghei/Claude-Skills/tree/main/engineering/helm-chart-builder/SKILL.md