DevOps Bootcamp · Lesson

Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions

name, version, appVersion, and chart type.

Lesson 2 of 413 steps

Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions is a free DevOps Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit. This is lesson 2 of 4. Any 3 lessons of this learning path are free to read in full — after that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus hands-on practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the DevOps Bootcamp learning path, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app. The DevOps Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total.

The Chart's ID Card

Every chart has a Chart.yaml at its root. It is the metadata file that tells Helm what this chart is and how to handle it. 🪪

apiVersion: v2

The apiVersion field marks the chart format. Modern Helm 3 charts use v2, which supports dependencies declared right inside this file.

apiVersion: v2

name Identifies the Chart

The name is how the chart is referenced and how it appears in a repository. It should be lowercase with dashes.

name: my-web-app

version Is the Chart Version

The version is the chart's own SemVer number. Bump it whenever the chart's templates or defaults change.

version: 0.2.0

appVersion Tracks the App

The appVersion records the version of the software the chart deploys. It is informational and need not match the chart version.

appVersion: "1.27.0"

Two Versions, Two Jobs

Keep them straight: version changes when the packaging changes, appVersion changes when the underlying app does.

version: 0.3.0
appVersion: "1.27.0"

A Human Description

The optional description is a one-line summary Helm shows when listing or searching charts.

description: A Helm chart for my web app

The type Field

The type is either application or library. Application is the default and the only kind you can install directly.

type: application

Helpful Extras

You can add keywords, maintainers, a home URL, and an icon. These enrich how the chart shows up in catalogs.

keywords:
  - web
maintainers:
  - name: CoddyKit

Dependencies Go Here Too

In v2, a dependencies list names subcharts the chart needs, each with a version and source repository.

dependencies:
  - name: redis
    version: "18.x.x"
    repository: https://charts.bitnami.com/bitnami

Why Versions Matter

Clean versioning lets users pin a known chart and upgrade on purpose. It is the backbone of reproducible deploys. 🎯

Quick Check

Make sure the two version fields are clear.

Answer it in the interactive lesson

Recap

Chart.yaml holds apiVersion, name, version, and appVersion. Version tracks the chart, appVersion tracks the app it ships. ✅

Free to start

Learn DevOps Bootcamp with an AI tutor — free

Write and run real code in your browser, get instant help from a 24/7 AI tutor, and pick up where you left off on the web or in the app.

Courses: 142
Lessons: 568

Start learning free View the full course

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions” lesson free?

Yes — any 3 lessons of the DevOps Bootcamp learning path, including “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions”, are free to read in full here on the web. After that, CoddyKit PRO unlocks every lesson, plus interactive practice with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. The DevOps Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total.

What will I learn in “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions”?

name, version, appVersion, and chart type. You practise DevOps Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start DevOps Bootcamp?

No prior experience is required. DevOps Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace. This is lesson 2 of 4.

How long does the “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this DevOps Bootcamp lesson?

Yes. Every DevOps Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

Generate a Skeleton with helm create
Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions
The templates Directory and NOTES.txt
Default values.yaml and the _helpers File

← Back to DevOps Bootcamp