helmfile template/apply/sync add --template-args for helm lookup() support
Introduced 2026-07-04 · score 0.93
HOW TO USE IT
When a chart uses `lookup()` and rendering needs live cluster values, pass `--template-args="--dry-run=server"` to `helmfile template`, `apply`, or `sync`. `--template-args` forwards extra arguments to Helm rendering.
helmfile template --template-args="--dry-run=server"helmfile apply --template-args="--dry-run=server"helmfile sync --template-args="--dry-run=server"WHY THIS HELPS
Render or apply Helm charts that use `lookup()` from a Helmfile workflow.
REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
- Version: v1.7.0
- --template-args <string>: Extra arguments appended to Helm rendering; the default is empty. `--dry-run=server` enables a server connection for `lookup()`.
- --dry-run=server: Helm server-side dry run; requires cluster connectivity. Pass it as the value to `--template-args` when rendering needs `lookup()`.
- Prerequisite: `--dry-run=server` requires cluster connectivity. Helm uses its Kubernetes connection configuration for `lookup()`; API access errors fail template processing.
FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE
- https://github.com/helmfile/helmfile/releases/tag/v1.7.0
- https://github.com/helmfile/helmfile/blob/main/docs/cli.md
- https://github.com/helmfile/helmfile/blob/v1.7.0/cmd/sync.go
- https://github.com/helmfile/helmfile/blob/v1.7.0/cmd/apply.go
- https://helm.sh/docs/chart_template_guide/debugging/
Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON