Helm

Install/Upgrade Commands

Installing and upgrading releases is the core of Helm workflows. Learn best practices for deploying charts with custom values and managing upgrades safely.

8 commands

Pro Tips

Use 'helm upgrade --install' for idempotent deployments in CI/CD pipelines.

Always use '--dry-run' first when testing new values or upgrades.

Common Mistakes

Values are applied in order: defaults, then -f files (left to right), then --set.

Commands

Install chart

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx

Install a chart with release name.

Install with values

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx -f values.yaml

Install using custom values file.

Install with set

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx --set replicaCount=3

Install with inline value overrides.

Install in namespace

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx -n prod --create-namespace

Install in specific namespace, creating if needed.

Upgrade release

$ helm upgrade my-release bitnami/nginx -f values.yaml

Upgrade existing release with new values.

Install or upgrade

$ helm upgrade --install my-release bitnami/nginx

Install if not exists, upgrade if exists.

Dry run

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx --dry-run

Simulate installation without applying.

Wait for ready

$ helm install my-release bitnami/nginx --wait --timeout 5m

Wait for pods to be ready before completing.