Control Helm with Natural Language
MCP server bridging AI assistants to Helm, exposing chart, release, repository, and registry management as tools.
Why it matters
Interact with the Helm package manager using natural language. This asset bridges AI assistants and Helm, enabling intuitive control over chart installation, repository management, and more.
Outcomes
What it gets done
Install, uninstall, and upgrade Helm releases.
Manage Helm chart dependencies and repositories.
Generate Helm completion scripts for various shells.
Create, lint, and package new Helm charts.
Install
Add it to your toolbox
Run in your project directory:
curl -fsSL https://spark.entire.vc/get/vb-helm-chart-cli | bash Capabilities
Tools your agent gets
Generate autocompletion scripts for various shells.
Create a new chart with the given name.
Runs tests to verify that the chart is well-formed.
Packages a chart into a chart archive.
Renders chart templates locally and displays the output.
Builds the chart's dependencies.
Lists the dependencies for the given chart.
Updates the chart's dependencies.
Overview
Helm Chart CLI MCP Server
An MCP server exposing Helm's full CLI surface - chart creation, release management, repositories, registries, and verification - as tools an AI assistant can call directly. Use when managing Kubernetes Helm charts and releases through an AI assistant instead of typing Helm CLI commands directly.
What it does
Helm MCP provides a bridge between AI assistants and the Helm package manager for Kubernetes. It allows AI assistants to interact with Helm through natural language requests, executing commands like installing charts, managing repositories, and more, across the full range of Helm's CLI surface.
When to use - and when NOT to
Use this connector when you want an AI assistant to create, install, upgrade, inspect, or manage Kubernetes Helm charts and releases through natural-language requests instead of typing Helm CLI commands by hand. It requires the Helm CLI, Python 3.8+, and (for containerized use) Docker already available in the environment - it wraps Helm's own functionality rather than replacing the need for a working Kubernetes/Helm setup.
Capabilities
The server exposes Helm's command surface as MCP tools grouped by area: shell completion (helm_completion); chart creation and management (helm_create, helm_lint, helm_package, helm_template); dependency management (helm_dependency_build, helm_dependency_list, helm_dependency_update); environment/version info (helm_env, helm_version); release management (helm_install, helm_uninstall, helm_upgrade, helm_rollback, helm_list, helm_status, helm_history, helm_test); release information retrieval (helm_get_all, helm_get_hooks, helm_get_manifest, helm_get_metadata, helm_get_notes, helm_get_values); repository management (helm_repo_add, helm_repo_index, helm_repo_list, helm_repo_remove, helm_repo_update, helm_search_repo, helm_search_hub); registry management (helm_registry_login, helm_registry_logout, helm_push, helm_pull); chart information (helm_show_all, helm_show_chart, helm_show_crds, helm_show_readme, helm_show_values); plugin management (helm_plugin_install, helm_plugin_list, helm_plugin_uninstall, helm_plugin_update); and signature verification (helm_verify). Release-affecting tools like helm_install and helm_upgrade support options such as namespace, values_file, set_values, wait, atomic, and timeout, mirroring Helm's own CLI flags.
How to install
Requires Python 3.8+, the Helm CLI, and Docker for containerized deployment. Via Docker:
git clone https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers.git
cd src/helm
docker build -t mcp-helm .
Manual installation clones the same repo, sets up a virtual environment (uv venv, activates it, uv pip install -e .), and runs the server with mcp-server-helm. For Claude Desktop, add to claude_desktop_config.json either a uvx-based entry (command: uvx, args: ["mcp-server-helm"]) or a Docker-based entry (command: docker, args: ["run", "--rm", "-i", "mcp/helm"]). The server can be exercised with the MCP Inspector via npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uvx mcp-server-helm, or against a config file via mcp-inspector --config mcp-config.json --server my-python-server. Docker builds are also available directly from src/helm with docker build -t mcp/helm .. This MCP server is MIT-licensed.
Who it's for
Platform and DevOps teams running Kubernetes with Helm who want an AI assistant to manage the full chart and release lifecycle - creating and linting charts, installing/upgrading/rolling back releases, inspecting release manifests and values, managing repositories and OCI registries, and verifying signed charts - through natural language instead of manually invoking dozens of individual Helm CLI subcommands.
Source README
Overview
Helm MCP provides a bridge between AI assistants and the Helm package manager for Kubernetes. It allows AI assistants to interact with Helm through natural language requests, executing commands like installing charts, managing repositories, and more.
Claude Desktop
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/706184c4-9569-4977-8194-d8b0a6e8fa26
Inspector
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4347e851-2791-4a07-b829-f171376fe8d7
Installation
Prerequisites
- Python 3.8+
- Docker (for containerized deployment)
- Helm CLI installed
Using Docker
Build and run the Docker container:
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers.git
cd src/helm
# Build the Docker image
docker build -t mcp-helm .
Manual Installation
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers.git
cd src/helm
# Install dependencies
uv venv
source .venv/Scripts/Activate.ps1
uv pip install -e .
# Run the server
mcp-server-helm
Tools
Here are the available tools in the Helm MCP server:
helm_completion
Generate autocompletion scripts for various shells.
- Parameters:
shell(required): The shell to generate the completion script for. Options are "bash", "fish", "powershell", "zsh".
- Example:
helm_completion(shell="bash")
Chart Creation and Management
helm_create
Create a new chart with the given name.
- Parameters:
name(required): The name of the chart to create.starter(optional): The name of the starter chart to use.
- Example:
helm_create(name="mychart")
helm_lint
Runs a series of tests to verify that the chart is well-formed.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart to lint.values_file(optional): Path to values file.set_values(optional): Set values on the command line (can specify multiple).
- Example:
helm_lint(chart_path="./mychart")
helm_package
Packages a chart into a chart archive.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart directory.destination(optional): Location to write the chart.app_version(optional): Set the appVersion on the chart.version(optional): Set the version on the chart.dependency_update(optional): Update dependencies before packaging.
- Example:
helm_package(chart_path="./mychart")
helm_template
Renders chart templates locally and displays the output.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.release_name(optional): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.values_file(optional): Values file.set_values(optional): Set values.api_versions(optional): Kubernetes API versions.kube_version(optional): Kubernetes version.
- Example:
helm_template(chart="./mychart", release_name="my-release")
Dependency Management
helm_dependency_build
Builds the chart's dependencies.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart.
- Example:
helm_dependency_build(chart_path="./mychart")
helm_dependency_list
Lists the dependencies for the given chart.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart.
- Example:
helm_dependency_list(chart_path="./mychart")
helm_dependency_update
Updates the chart's dependencies.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart.
- Example:
helm_dependency_update(chart_path="./mychart")
Environment
helm_env
Shows Helm's environment information.
- Parameters: None
- Example:
helm_env()
helm_version
Shows the Helm version information.
- Parameters: None
- Example:
helm_version()
Release Management
helm_install
Installs a chart.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.release_name(optional): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.values_file(optional): Values file.set_values(optional): Set values.description(optional): Add a custom description.wait(optional): Wait until all resources are ready.atomic(optional): If set, installation rollback on failure.timeout(optional): Time to wait for any operation to complete.
- Example:
helm_install(chart="bitnami/nginx", release_name="my-nginx")
helm_uninstall
Uninstalls a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.keep_history(optional): Remove the release but keep the history.no_hooks(optional): Prevent hooks from running during uninstallation.
- Example:
helm_uninstall(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_upgrade
Upgrades a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.chart(required): Chart name.namespace(optional): Namespace.values_file(optional): Values file.set_values(optional): Set values.install(optional): Install if release doesn't exist.force(optional): Force resource updates.wait(optional): Wait until all resources are ready.atomic(optional): If set, upgrade rollback on failure.timeout(optional): Time to wait for any operation to complete.
- Example:
helm_upgrade(release_name="my-nginx", chart="bitnami/nginx", set_values={"replicaCount": "3"})
helm_rollback
Rolls back a release to a previous revision.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.revision(optional): Revision number.namespace(optional): Namespace.wait(optional): Wait until all resources are ready.force(optional): Force resource updates.timeout(optional): Time to wait for any operation to complete.
- Example:
helm_rollback(release_name="my-nginx", revision=1)
helm_list
Lists releases.
- Parameters:
all_namespaces(optional): List releases across all namespaces.filter_(optional): Filter by regex.namespace(optional): Namespace.deployed(optional): Show deployed releases.failed(optional): Show failed releases.uninstalled(optional): Show uninstalled releases.
- Example:
helm_list()
helm_status
Displays the status of the named release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.revision(optional): Revision number.
- Example:
helm_status(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_history
Gets the release history.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.max_(optional): Maximum number of revisions to include.
- Example:
helm_history(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_test
Runs tests for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.filter_(optional): Filter tests by name.timeout(optional): Time to wait for any operation to complete.
- Example:
helm_test(release_name="my-nginx")
Release Information
helm_get_all
Gets all information about a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.
- Example:
helm_get_all(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_get_hooks
Gets the hooks for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.
- Example:
helm_get_hooks(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_get_manifest
Gets the manifest for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.
- Example:
helm_get_manifest(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_get_metadata
Gets the metadata for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.
- Example:
helm_get_metadata(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_get_notes
Gets the notes for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.
- Example:
helm_get_notes(release_name="my-nginx")
helm_get_values
Gets the values for a release.
- Parameters:
release_name(required): Release name.namespace(optional): Namespace.all_values(optional): Get all values (user-supplied values and defaults).
- Example:
helm_get_values(release_name="my-nginx", all_values=true)
Repository Management
helm_repo_add
Adds a chart repository.
- Parameters:
name(required): Name of the repository.url(required): URL of the repository.username(optional): Username for repository.password(optional): Password for repository.pass_credentials(optional): Pass credentials to all domains.
- Example:
helm_repo_add(name="bitnami", url="https://charts.bitnami.com/bitnami")
helm_repo_index
Generates an index file for a chart repository.
- Parameters:
directory(required): Directory containing packaged charts.url(optional): URL of the repository.merge(optional): Merge the generated index with the given index.
- Example:
helm_repo_index(directory="./charts")
helm_repo_list
Lists chart repositories.
- Parameters: None
- Example:
helm_repo_list()
helm_repo_remove
Removes a chart repository.
- Parameters:
name(required): Name of the repository.
- Example:
helm_repo_remove(name="bitnami")
helm_repo_update
Updates chart repositories.
- Parameters: None
- Example:
helm_repo_update()
helm_search_repo
Searches repositories for a keyword in charts.
- Parameters:
keyword(required): Search term.regexp(optional): Use regular expressions for searching.version(optional): Search using semantic version constraints.versions(optional): Show all versions, not just the latest.
- Example:
helm_search_repo(keyword="nginx")
helm_search_hub
Searches the Helm Hub for a keyword in charts.
- Parameters:
keyword(required): Search term.max_results(optional): Maximum number of results to return.repo_url(optional): Specific repo URL to search.
- Example:
helm_search_hub(keyword="nginx")
Registry Management
helm_registry_login
Logs in to a registry.
- Parameters:
registry_url(required): Registry URL to authenticate with.username(required): Username for registry.password(required): Password for registry.insecure(optional): Allow connections to TLS registry without certs.
- Example:
helm_registry_login(registry_url="registry.example.com", username="user", password="pass123")
helm_registry_logout
Logs out from a registry.
- Parameters:
registry_url(required): Registry URL to logout from.
- Example:
helm_registry_logout(registry_url="registry.example.com")
helm_push
Pushes a chart to a registry.
- Parameters:
chart_path(required): Path to the chart to push.registry_url(required): Registry URL to push to.insecure(optional): Allow connections to TLS registry without certs.plain_http(optional): Use plain HTTP.force(optional): Force push even if the chart already exists.
- Example:
helm_push(chart_path="./mychart-1.0.0.tgz", registry_url="oci://registry.example.com/charts")
helm_pull
Downloads a chart from a repository.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.destination(optional): Directory to download to.untar(optional): If set, untar the chart after downloading.verify(optional): Verify the package against its signature.keyring(optional): Path to the keyring containing public keys.
- Example:
helm_pull(chart="nginx", repo="bitnami", version="13.2.0")
Chart Information
helm_show_all
Shows all information of a chart.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.
- Example:
helm_show_all(chart="nginx", repo="bitnami")
helm_show_chart
Shows the chart's definition.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.
- Example:
helm_show_chart(chart="nginx", repo="bitnami")
helm_show_crds
Shows the chart's CRDs.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.
- Example:
helm_show_crds(chart="prometheus-operator", repo="prometheus-community")
helm_show_readme
Shows the chart's README.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.
- Example:
helm_show_readme(chart="nginx", repo="bitnami")
helm_show_values
Shows the chart's values.
- Parameters:
chart(required): Chart name.repo(optional): Repository name.version(optional): Chart version.
- Example:
helm_show_values(chart="nginx", repo="bitnami")
Plugin Management
helm_plugin_install
Installs a Helm plugin.
- Parameters:
plugin_url(required): URL to the plugin.version(optional): Version of the plugin.
- Example:
helm_plugin_install(plugin_url="https://github.com/chartmuseum/helm-push")
helm_plugin_list
Lists Helm plugins.
- Parameters: None
- Example:
helm_plugin_list()
helm_plugin_uninstall
Uninstalls a Helm plugin.
- Parameters:
plugin_name(required): Name of the plugin.
- Example:
helm_plugin_uninstall(plugin_name="push")
helm_plugin_update
Updates a Helm plugin.
- Parameters:
plugin_name(required): Name of the plugin.
- Example:
helm_plugin_update(plugin_name="push")
Verification
helm_verify
Verifies that a chart at the given path has been signed and is valid.
- Parameters:
path(required): Path to the chart file.keyring(optional): Path to the keyring containing public keys.
- Example:
helm_verify(path="./mychart-1.0.0.tgz")
Configuration
Usage with Claude Desktop
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json:
Using uvx
"mcpServers": {
"helm": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-server-helm"]
}
}
Using docker
"mcpServers": {
"helm": {
"command": "docker",
"args": ["run", "--rm", "-i", "mcp/helm"]
}
}
Inspector
# run the inspector against the mcp-server-helm
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uvx mcp-server-helm
# Run the inspector against the mcp-config.json
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/inspector
cp mcp-config.json.example mcp-config.json
nano mcp-config.json # Edit the values
mcp-inspector --config mcp-config.json --server my-python-server
Build
Docker build:
cd src/helm
docker build -t mcp/helm .
FAQ
Common questions
Discussion
Questions & comments · 0
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