Unlocking helm commands for Kubernetes

Introduction

Explore the essential Helm commands for Kubernetes in this detailed tutorial. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned Kubernetes user, this guide will help you install Helm and utilize its commands to manage charts and repositories effectively, streamlining your Kubernetes deployments.

In this tutorial, How to install helm and run helm commands. Helm provides many commands for managing charts and Helm repositories. Now, let’s helm commands for Kubernetes

• Helm Commands for Kubernetes: Simplifies application deployment and management in Kubernetes environments.
• What is a Helm Chart?: A package containing pre-configured Kubernetes resources used for deploying applications.
• Purpose of Helm: Streamlines deployments, manages versions and rollbacks and allows customization of installations through charts.
• Using Helm Charts: Install Helm, add repositories, and manage applications within your Kubernetes cluster using Helm’s command suite, including install, update, and delete operations.

Install Helm commands for Kubernetes

You can ref here.

From Homebrew (Mac)

brew install helm

From Windows

choco install kubernetes-helm

Check version

helm version

The output is as below:

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Try the new cross-platform PowerShell https://aka.ms/pscore6

PS C:\Windows\system32> choco install kubernetes-helm
Chocolatey v0.10.15
Installing the following packages:
kubernetes-helm
By installing you accept licenses for the packages.
Progress: Downloading kubernetes-helm 3.5.4... 100%

kubernetes-helm v3.5.4 [Approved]
kubernetes-helm package files install completed. Performing other installation steps.
The package kubernetes-helm wants to run 'chocolateyInstall.ps1'.
Note: If you don't run this script, the installation will fail.
Note: To confirm automatically next time, use '-y' or consider:
choco feature enable -n allowGlobalConfirmation
Do you want to run the script?([Y]es/[A]ll - yes to all/[N]o/[P]rint): Yes

Downloading kubernetes-helm 64 bit
  from 'https://get.helm.sh/helm-v3.5.4-windows-amd64.zip'
Progress: 100% - Completed download of C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp\chocolatey\kubernetes-helm\3.5.4\helm-v3.5.4-windows-amd64.zip (11.96 MB).
Download of helm-v3.5.4-windows-amd64.zip (11.96 MB) completed.
Hashes match.
Extracting C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp\chocolatey\kubernetes-helm\3.5.4\helm-v3.5.4-windows-amd64.zip to C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\lib\kubernetes-helm\tools...
C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\lib\kubernetes-helm\tools
 ShimGen has successfully created a shim for helm.exe
 The install of kubernetes-helm was successful.
  Software installed to 'C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\lib\kubernetes-helm\tools'

Chocolatey installed 1/1 packages.
 See the log for details (C:\ProgramData\chocolatey\logs\chocolatey.log).

Did you know the proceeds of Pro (and some proceeds from other
 licensed editions) go into bettering the community infrastructure?
 Your support ensures an active community, keeps Chocolatey tip top,
 plus it nets you some awesome features!
 https://chocolatey.org/compare
PS C:\Windows\system32> helm version
version.BuildInfo{Version:"v3.5.4", GitCommit:"1b5edb69df3d3a08df77c9902dc17af864ff05d1", GitTreeState:"clean", GoVersion:"go1.15.11"}
PS C:\Windows\system32>

Helm Commands kubernetes

Add Helm repo link here

# Example
helm repo add stable https://charts.helm.sh/stable

I will add bitnami repo and search for the Nginx server as command follows:

helm repo add bitnami https://charts.bitnami.com/bitnami
helm repo update
helm search repo nginx
helm search repo bitnami/nginx

The output is as commands follows:

E:\Study\cka\devopsroles>helm search repo nginx
NAME                                    CHART VERSION   APP VERSION     DESCRIPTION
bitnami/nginx                           8.9.1           1.19.10         Chart for the nginx server
bitnami/nginx-ingress-controller        7.6.9           0.46.0          Chart for the nginx Ingress controller
stable/nginx-ingress                    1.41.3          v0.34.1         DEPRECATED! An nginx Ingress controller that us...
stable/nginx-ldapauth-proxy             0.1.6           1.13.5          DEPRECATED - nginx proxy with ldapauth
stable/nginx-lego                       0.3.1                           Chart for nginx-ingress-controller and kube-lego
bitnami/kong                            3.7.4           2.4.1           Kong is a scalable, open source API layer (aka ...
stable/gcloud-endpoints                 0.1.2           1               DEPRECATED Develop, deploy, protect and monitor...

E:\Study\cka\devopsroles>helm search repo bitnami/nginx
NAME                                    CHART VERSION   APP VERSION     DESCRIPTION
bitnami/nginx                           8.9.1           1.19.10         Chart for the nginx server
bitnami/nginx-ingress-controller        7.6.9           0.46.0          Chart for the nginx Ingress controller

Install Nginx using the helm command

helm install nginx bitnami/nginx

Update Nginx

helm upgrade nginx bitnami/nginx --dry-run

# Upgrade using values in overrides_nginx.yaml
helm upgrade nignx bitnami/nginx -f overrides_nginx.yaml

# rollback
helm rollback nginx REVISION_NUMBER

Basic helm command

helm status nginx
helm history nginx
# get manifest and values from deployment
helm get manifest nginx
helm get values nginx
helm uninstall nginx

Conclusion

Mastering Helm commands enhances your Kubernetes management skills, allowing for more efficient application deployment and management. This tutorial provides the foundation you need to confidently use Helm in your Kubernetes environment, improving your operational capabilities.

You have to use helm commands for Kubernetes. I hope will this your helpful. Thank you for reading the DevopsRoles page!