Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions
name, version, appVersion, and chart type.
Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions is a free Helm Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Helm Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
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: v2name 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-appversion Is the Chart Version
The version is the chart's own SemVer number. Bump it whenever the chart's templates or defaults change.
version: 0.2.0appVersion 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 appThe type Field
The type is either application or library. Application is the default and the only kind you can install directly.
type: applicationHelpful 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: CoddyKitDependencies 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/bitnamiWhy 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.
Recap
Chart.yaml holds apiVersion, name, version, and appVersion. Version tracks the chart, appVersion tracks the app it ships. ✅
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions” is free to read here on the web, and the Helm Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Helm Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Chart.yaml: Metadata and Versions”?
name, version, appVersion, and chart type. You practise Helm Academy 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 Helm Academy?
No prior experience is required. Helm Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
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 Helm Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Helm Academy 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