---
name: "helmfile-declarative-releases"
description: "Declare and manage multi-chart Kubernetes deployments across multiple environments using Helmfile."
metadata:
  author: "Helmfile"
  version: "1.0.0"
  runtime_compatibility:
    - "codex"
    - "claude-code"
    - "cursor"
    - "windsurf"
triggers:
  - "run helmfile apply"
  - "configure helmfile environments"
  - "declare helmfile release dependencies"
permissions:
  fs_read: true
  fs_write: "workspace"
  shell_exec: false
  net_access: false
---

# Helmfile Declarative Multi-Chart Environment Management

Orchestrates Helm releases with Helmfile: writing helmfile.yaml, environment inheritance (staging, prod), release dependencies (needs), secrets integration with sops / vault, and running helmfile apply.

## When to Invoke
Invoke this skill whenever you need to:
- run helmfile apply
- configure helmfile environments
- declare helmfile release dependencies

## Execution SOP & Rules
1. Declare releases in helmfile.yaml with chart, version, namespace, and values.
2. Specify release dependencies using needs: ['kube-system/cert-manager'] to ensure ordered provisioning.
3. Run helmfile -e production diff to inspect pending changes across all releases.
4. Apply state declaratively: helmfile -e production apply.

## Verification Checklist
- Run local linting, syntax validation, and type-checks before reporting completion.
- Ensure all created or modified files adhere to workspace boundaries and avoid uncommitted secrets.
- Verify tests or build commands exit cleanly with return code 0.