3 Helm Package Manager Books That Will Elevate Your DevOps Skills

Discover authoritative Helm Package Manager books authored by leading figures like Matt Butcher, Andrew Block, and Austin Dewey, designed to sharpen your Kubernetes deployment and automation skills.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if mastering Helm Package Manager could transform how you deploy applications on Kubernetes? Helm, as the de facto package manager for Kubernetes, simplifies complex deployments but mastering it requires guidance from trusted sources. Whether you're streamlining CI/CD pipelines or managing application lifecycles, the right knowledge can accelerate your journey.

These three books stand out because they are penned by the very creators and maintainers of Helm, including Matt Butcher, co-creator of the project, and Andrew Block, a core maintainer at Red Hat. Their firsthand experience shapes the content, offering practical insights into Helm’s commands, chart development, automation, and security strategies essential for modern DevOps workflows.

While these expert-written books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Kubernetes environments, skill levels, or deployment goals might consider creating a personalized Helm Package Manager book that builds on these insights with customized guidance.

Best for mastering Helm fundamentals and charts
Matt Butcher is a co-founder and creator of Helm who leads open source engineering at Microsoft Azure. His deep involvement in Helm’s development and authorship of several Kubernetes-focused books uniquely position him to guide you through mastering Helm. This book reflects his hands-on experience and detailed knowledge, offering a pathway to effectively managing Kubernetes applications with Helm.
Learning Helm: Managing Apps on Kubernetes book cover

by Matt Butcher, Matt Farina, Josh Dolitsky··You?

2021·212 pages·Kubernetes, Helm Package Manager, Kubernetes Helm, DevOps, Application Deployment

Matt Butcher, co-creator of the Helm project and lead of an open source team at Microsoft Azure, brings unmatched insider expertise to this guide on managing Kubernetes applications. The book dives into Helm's core commands and chart development, showing you how to package applications and their dependencies for consistent deployment. It goes beyond basics to cover lifecycle management, testing, security, and extending Helm’s functionality, making it especially useful if you already understand Kubernetes fundamentals. Whether you're a developer or DevOps engineer, it equips you with practical skills to handle complexity and streamline container app management.

Published by O'Reilly Media
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Best for Kubernetes automation and enterprise patterns
Andrew Block is a core maintainer on the Helm project and Distinguished Architect at Red Hat. His expertise in continuous integration and delivery, combined with his active role in open source communities like sigstore, uniquely qualifies him to guide you through mastering Helm for Kubernetes. His deep involvement in streamlining delivery processes and embedding security sets the foundation for this book, which aims to simplify and professionalize how you build, package, and distribute Kubernetes applications.
2022·310 pages·Kubernetes Helm, Helm Package Manager, Kubernetes, Helm, DevOps

Drawing from his role as a core maintainer of Helm and Distinguished Architect at Red Hat, Andrew Block offers a detailed exploration of managing Kubernetes applications through Helm. You'll learn how to write and use Helm charts effectively to automate application deployment, optimize lifecycle management, and integrate security practices suitable for enterprise environments. Specific chapters delve into advanced automation strategies and enterprise-ready patterns, making this a hands-on guide for those aiming to streamline Kubernetes operations. This book suits Kubernetes developers and administrators who want to deepen their Helm expertise beyond the basics for more reliable, scalable application delivery.

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Best for personal Helm mastery
This AI-created book on Helm Package Manager is tailored to your background, skill level, and specific deployment goals. By sharing what areas you want to focus on and your existing experience, you receive a book written just for you, covering the Helm topics that matter most. This personalized approach helps you cut through general advice and zero in on mastering Helm in ways that fit your unique Kubernetes environment.
2025·50-300 pages·Helm Package Manager, Helm Basics, Chart Development, Release Management, Kubernetes Integration

This tailored book explores the intricacies of Helm Package Manager deployment and management, focusing sharply on your unique background and goals. It covers core concepts such as chart creation, release management, and CI/CD integration, while diving into advanced topics like security practices and environment customization. By addressing your specific interests and skill level, it reveals how to navigate Helm’s complexities efficiently and effectively. With this personalized approach, you gain a learning experience that matches your technical context and deployment challenges, making the mastery of Helm not just attainable but aligned with your real-world Kubernetes workflows. This book bridges expert knowledge with your personal requirements to enhance your DevOps capabilities.

Tailored Guide
Deployment Excellence
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for boosting productivity with Helm automation
Austin Dewey, a consultant at Red Hat with deep expertise in cloud and container technologies, channels his hands-on experience with Kubernetes and DevOps into this book. His work enabling Fortune 500 companies to implement stable, secure CI/CD pipelines informs the practical insights you'll find here. This book distills Dewey's knowledge into actionable guidance on Helm, making it a fitting resource for anyone looking to adopt Helm for efficient Kubernetes application management.
2020·346 pages·Kubernetes, Helm Package Manager, Kubernetes Helm, Automation, Application Deployment

Drawing from his extensive experience at Red Hat working with Fortune 500 clients on Kubernetes and CI/CD pipelines, Austin Dewey coauthors this detailed guide on Helm's role in simplifying Kubernetes application management. You’ll learn how to create and configure Helm charts, automate deployments, and apply best practices for lifecycle management to boost efficiency and reduce complexity in cloud-native environments. The book breaks down enterprise-ready automation strategies and security considerations, making it particularly useful if you’re a Kubernetes developer or administrator aiming to streamline application delivery. It’s a focused resource that expects some familiarity with Kubernetes but requires no prior Helm knowledge.

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Conclusion

Together, these three books form a robust foundation for understanding Helm from fundamentals to advanced automation. They emphasize lifecycle management, security integration, and enterprise-ready deployment patterns, reflecting the evolving demands of Kubernetes practitioners.

If you're starting out, begin with "Learning Helm" to grasp core concepts and chart creation. For those aiming to automate and scale Kubernetes deployments, "Managing Kubernetes Resources Using Helm" offers in-depth strategies. To improve productivity and reduce complexity in cloud-native environments, "Learn Helm" provides practical automation tactics.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Helm Package Manager book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently manage Kubernetes applications with Helm.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Learning Helm" by Matt Butcher, which covers essential Helm fundamentals and chart development, giving you a solid foundation before moving to advanced topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Helm Package Manager?

Not at all. "Learning Helm" is designed for those with Kubernetes basics who want to master Helm. The other books build on this foundation for more advanced automation and enterprise use.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with "Learning Helm" to understand core concepts, then "Learn Helm" to boost productivity with practical automation, followed by "Managing Kubernetes Resources Using Helm" for enterprise-level strategies.

Do these books assume I already have experience with Kubernetes?

Yes, they generally expect familiarity with Kubernetes concepts, focusing on applying Helm effectively within that context to manage and deploy applications.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Learn Helm" offers hands-on automation techniques and best practices aimed at improving workflow efficiency, making it great for immediate application.

Can personalized books complement these expert-recommended Helm resources?

Absolutely. While these books provide authoritative insights, personalized Helm Package Manager books tailor guidance to your unique goals and environment, bridging theory and practice. Consider creating your own tailored Helm book for focused learning.

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