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How to Convert Helm Charts to Kubernetes Manifests - Step by Step Guide

Step 1

Input Your Helm Chart Files

Start with your Helm chart components. Whether you need to deploy without Helm, debug template rendering, or convert to plain Kubernetes, you'll need these three files:

•
Chart.yaml: Paste your chart metadata with name, version, and description
•
values.yaml: Add your values file with configuration parameters
•
Templates: Include your template files with Go template syntax
•
Try sample: Click "Sample" to see a complete Nginx Helm chart example

Example: Helm Chart Input

Here's what a typical Helm chart structure looks like:

Chart.yaml:

apiVersion: v2
name: nginx
version: 0.1.0
appVersion: "1.21"
description: A Helm chart for Nginx

values.yaml (excerpt):

replicaCount: 3
image:
  repository: nginx
  tag: "1.21"
  pullPolicy: IfNotPresent
Step 2

Automatic Template Rendering

The converter automatically renders Helm templates into plain Kubernetes YAML:

•
Resolves values: Replaces {{ .Values.xxx }} with actual values
•
Applies functions: Processes toYaml, quote, include, and other template functions
•
Generates labels: Creates standard Kubernetes labels from chart metadata
•
Handles conditionals: Processes if/else statements and loops

Example: Template Rendering

See how Helm templates transform into plain Kubernetes YAML:

Before (Helm Template):

replicas: {{ .Values.replicaCount }}
image: {{ .Values.image.repository }}:{{ .Values.image.tag }}

After (Kubernetes Manifest):

replicas: 3
image: nginx:1.21
Step 3

Customize Rendering Options

Configure how your Helm chart gets rendered into Kubernetes manifests:

•
Release Name: Set the {{ .Release.Name }} value (default: myrelease)
•
Namespace: Define target namespace for {{ .Release.Namespace }} (default: default)
•
Tabbed Input: Switch between Chart.yaml, values.yaml, and templates tabs easily
Step 4

Download and Deploy Kubernetes Manifests

Get your rendered Kubernetes manifests ready for deployment:

•
Download YAML: Get complete manifests in a single file
•
Copy to clipboard: One-click copying for kubectl apply commands
•
Deploy directly: Use kubectl apply -f on the downloaded file
•
No Helm required: Deploy without installing Helm in your cluster

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert Helm charts to plain Kubernetes manifests?

Converting Helm charts to Kubernetes YAML is useful when deploying to clusters without Helm, debugging template rendering issues, understanding what resources will be created, or working in environments that require plain manifests. It also helps with GitOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines.

Does this tool support all Helm template features?

Yes! The converter supports most common Helm template functions including .Values, .Chart, .Release, toYaml, quote, include, if/else conditionals, and range loops. It handles complex nested values and multi-document YAML files.

Can I use the generated manifests in production?

Absolutely! The generated Kubernetes manifests are production-ready and can be deployed using kubectl apply. Review the output to ensure all values are correctly rendered, then deploy directly to your cluster without needing Helm installed.

How do I handle multiple template files?

Paste all your template files in the Templates tab, separated by ---. The converter will process each template and render them with your values, outputting a multi-document YAML file ready for deployment.

Is my Helm chart data secure during conversion?

Yes, completely secure! All processing happens in your browser. Your Helm charts, values, and templates never leave your computer or get sent to any server, making it safe for sensitive configurations and production charts.

What if I need to go back to Helm charts?

You can use our Kubernetes to Helm Chart converter to convert plain manifests back into Helm charts. This is useful for creating reusable charts from existing Kubernetes deployments.

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