World K4: Notes, Lockers & Packages

Helm or Kustomize?

You will learn: when to reach for Helm, when for Kustomize, and when for both.

Checked with Kubernetes 1.37 on 31 Oct 2026

The problem

You are here: cluster kind-dev namespace default

~/shop $ kubectl kustomize overlays/prodapiVersion: v1kind: Namespacemetadata:  name: prod---apiVersion: v1data:  GREETING: Selamat datang  LOG_LEVEL: warnkind: ConfigMapmetadata:  name: settings  namespace: prod---apiVersion: apps/v1kind: Deploymentmetadata:  labels:    app: shop  name: shop  namespace: prodspec:  replicas: 3  selector:    matchLabels:      app: shop  template:    metadata:      labels:        app: shop    spec:      containers:      - envFrom:        - configMapRef:            name: settings        image: nginx:1.29-alpine        name: web

Kustomize made prod’s YAML by patching plain files. Last lesson, Helm made YAML by filling holes. Two tools, one job? Your team is arguing.

Watch

Drag a card into a box. Or tap the card, then tap the box.

Helm fills templates and remembers releases. Kustomize patches plain YAML, kitchen by kitchen. Many teams use both.

Try it

Make YAML both ways. First Kustomize’s dev kitchen, then Helm’s kit.

You are here: cluster kind-dev namespace default

dev-control-planeOpenManager

No trays here.

dev-workerOpen

No trays here.

dev-worker2Open

No trays here.

Time: +0s (sped up)

Predict

You need a database that experts packaged, with 40 settings. Which do you reach for?

Check

Which tool fits each job best?

Drag a card into a box. Or tap the card, then tap the box.

You did it!

You can now choose between Helm and Kustomize for a job.

Go deeper (optional)

Using both is common. Render a chart with helm template, then patch it with an overlay. Kustomize can also render charts itself (helmCharts, with --enable-helm). The GitOps tools in World K7 understand both.

Real rep (optional), on your own machine:

Real mission

Render a Helm chart into a file.
helm template shop ./kedai > from-helm.yaml
Render a Kustomize overlay into a file.
kubectl kustomize overlays/prod > from-kustomize.yaml
Open both files. Both are plain Kubernetes YAML.

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