28 Mar 2025 2 min read

How to Use Helm with Kubernetes in 2025?

# How to Use Helm with Kubernetes in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide

As the rapid evolution of cloud-native technologies continues, managing and orchestrating workloads in Kubernetes becomes more intricate.

Helm, the Kubernetes package manager, stands as a crucial tool in simplifying these operations. This guide will explore how to effectively use Helm with Kubernetes in 2025.

Understanding Helm and Kubernetes

What is Kubernetes?

Kubernetes is an open-source platform designed to automate deploying, scaling, and managing containerized applications. Its powerful ecosystem makes it possible to manage hundreds of microservices seamlessly.

What is Helm?

Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that enables easy installation, upgrade, and management of Kubernetes applications. It uses a packaging format called Charts, which are collections of files describing a set of Kubernetes resources.

Setting Up Helm with Kubernetes

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

A functioning Kubernetes cluster. You can refer to this guide on deploying a Kubernetes cluster.
kubectl, the Kubernetes command-line tool, correctly configured to interact with your cluster.
Helm CLI installed on your local machine. In 2025, Helm v5.0+ is recommended, offering new features and improved security.

Installing Helm

Download Helm:

Download the latest version from the official Helm website or use package managers for your operating system.
```
curl -LO https://get.helm.sh/helm-v5.0.0-linux-amd64.tar.gz
```

Install Helm:

Extract and move the Helm binary to your local path:

tar -zxvf helm-v5.0.0-linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo mv linux-amd64/helm /usr/local/bin/helm

Initialize Helm with the Cluster:

To apply necessary configurations and permissions:
```
helm init
```
As of 2025, make sure your Kubernetes version is compliant with the latest Helm enhancements.

Deploying Applications with Helm

Step 1: Create a Helm Chart

Begin by creating a Helm chart for your application:

helm create my-app

This command generates a basic directory structure for your app's chart.

Step 2: Customize Your Chart

Modify the values.yaml file and templates to suit your application's requirements. This file holds key-value pairs that represent configuration properties.

Step 3: Install the Chart

Deploy the application to your cluster with:

helm install my-app ./my-app

Helm will package your chart, set up necessary resources, and manage lifecycle activities.

Step 4: Upgrade/Downgrade the Chart

Easily update your application with:

helm upgrade my-app ./my-app

Rollback to a prior release if needed:

helm rollback my-app 1

Managing Security with Helm

Security in Kubernetes is a crucial aspect. Secure your Helm deployments by integrating SSL certificates. For guidance on setting up SSL in Kubernetes, refer to this article.

Example: Deploying WordPress with Helm

Deploying applications like WordPress is simplified using Helm charts. Check out this detailed tutorial on deploying WordPress on Kubernetes.

Conclusion

Helm, in conjunction with Kubernetes, offers a powerful, flexible, and simplified management framework for containerized applications. As the landscape evolves in 2025, integrating Helm into your CI/CD pipelines and operational workflows will remain vital for efficiency. Utilize the links provided to expand your expertise on deploying complex applications within Kubernetes environments.

Keep exploring new Helm features and Kubernetes advancements to stay ahead in your cloud-native journey.