helm-chart-scaffolding (wshobson/agents): a Claude skill for creating, validating and packaging Helm charts

This skill makes Claude build Helm charts for Kubernetes apps, with Chart.yaml, values, templates, helpers, dependencies and a validation script.

Installs: 12.2K; on skills.sh
Stars: 42.1K; on GitHub
Files: 5; besides SKILL.md
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

Use it when you ask Claude to create a Helm chart from scratch, package an app for distribution, or set up values for several environments. SKILL.md lists ten best practices, such as semantic versions, documented values and pinned dependencies, plus Helm commands for common errors. A detail file walks through ten steps from chart layout to packaging, multi-environment values, hooks and tests.

The skill bundles two chart templates and a bash script, validate-chart.sh. The script runs Helm checks on a chart folder, so you need Helm installed. SKILL.md also points to two related skills, k8s-manifest-generator and gitops-workflow.

Good for

Platform and DevOps engineers packaging apps as Helm charts
Developers who need a chart with sensible values and templates
Teams running the same chart across dev, staging and production

Install helm-chart-scaffolding

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the helm-chart-scaffolding skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

/plugin marketplace add wshobson/agents
/plugin install kubernetes-operations@claude-code-workflows

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

The plugin is kubernetes-operations. It holds 4 skills and 1 agent, and its plugin.json lists no hooks or MCP servers. Pick one route, not both. The README says the skills-only routes install the skill without the plugin's agents, commands or hooks. The skill runs Helm and a bash script on your machine, so the Claude app ZIP upload is not offered here.

From the project README. Source.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Design, organize, and manage Helm charts for templating and packaging Kubernetes applications with reusable configurations. Use when creating Helm charts, packaging Kubernetes applications, or implementing templated deployments.

Sections in SKILL.md

Purpose
When to Use This Skill
Detailed patterns and worked examples
Best Practices
Troubleshooting
Related Skills

Key facts

Author: Seth Hobson (plugin author)
Repo: wshobson/agents (plugins/kubernetes-operations/skills/helm-chart-scaffolding)
License: MIT
Installs on skills.sh: 12,210 as of 2026-11-02
GitHub stars: 42,081 (whole repo) as of 2026-11-02
Last repo commit: 2026-10-30
Folder contents: 6 files including SKILL.md: 2 reference files, 2 chart templates (Chart.yaml, values.yaml) and scripts/validate-chart.sh
skills.sh audits: Gen Agent Trust Hub pass, Socket pass, Snyk pass

What it includes

Initialize a chart and lay out folders, per the 10-step guide.
Runs code · Chart structure
Metadata, dependencies and a values structure for images, services, ingress and scaling.
Write · Chart.yaml and values.yaml
Template files and reusable helpers.
Write · Templates and helpers
Update, list and build chart dependencies.
Runs code · Dependencies
Lint, dry-run, template rendering and computed values.
Runs code · Test and validate
Runs lint, template, dry-run and best-practice checks on a chart folder.
Runs code · validate-chart.sh
Package a chart, create a repo index, upload, and add a repo.
Runs code · Package and distribute
Separate values files per environment.
Write · Multi-environment values
Pre-install job and connection test templates.
Write · Hooks and tests
Conditional resources, list loops, file includes and global values.
Common patterns

From the official docs

Permissions

Medium risk

The skill runs Helm commands and a bash script on your machine, and its guide shows commands that install charts and upload packages. Approve each command yourself and use a test cluster first.

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

The guide shows install and upload commands
references/details.md includes `helm install` with a values file for production, `aws s3 sync` to upload packages, `helm repo add` and `helm test`. Check the cluster context, namespace and bucket before you approve them.
The bundled script runs Helm on your chart
validate-chart.sh runs `helm lint`, `helm template` and `helm install --dry-run --debug` against the folder you give it. It exits if Helm is missing.
Dependency commands fetch charts
The guide runs `helm dependency update` and `helm dependency build`, which pull the charts you list as dependencies.

Questions

What does the skill do?

It guides Claude through building a Helm chart. That covers the chart folder layout, Chart.yaml, a values.yaml structure, template files and helpers, dependencies, testing, packaging, multi-environment values, hooks and chart tests.

How do I install it?

Use the install box above. The skill is part of the kubernetes-operations plugin in the wshobson/agents collection. The plugin route installs four skills and one agent, while the skills-only commands install just this skill.

Do I need Helm installed?

Yes for the bundled script. validate-chart.sh exits with an error if helm is not found. The guide's commands also use helm, and some examples use kubectl.

What does the validation script do?

It runs helm lint, helm template and helm install --dry-run --debug on a chart folder. It also checks Chart.yaml fields, generated resources, security settings, resource limits, health probes, dependencies and a values schema, printing pass or warning lines.

Does it deploy to my cluster?

The skill's examples include helm install with a values file, and helm test, so Claude may run those if you ask. The bundled script uses a dry run. Check the namespace and context before you approve any install.

Is it safe?

The script reads your chart folder and runs Helm commands. The guide's examples also show helm install, uploading packages with aws s3 sync, and helm repo add. Approve each command yourself, and point kubectl and Helm at a test cluster first.

Does it need an API key?

No key is mentioned. The S3 upload example in the guide would use your AWS credentials, if you choose to run it.

How is it different from k8s-manifest-generator?

SKILL.md points to k8s-manifest-generator for base Kubernetes manifests and to gitops-workflow for automated Helm deployments. This skill covers Helm packaging.

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: wshobson/agents
Folder: plugins/kubernetes-operations/skills/helm-chart-scaffolding

wshobson/agents skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 7

wshobson/agents README · github.com
marketplace.json · github.com
helm-chart-scaffolding SKILL.md · github.com
details.md · github.com
validate-chart.sh · github.com
kubernetes-operations plugin.json · github.com
helm-chart-scaffolding on skills.sh · skills.sh