YAML for DevOps, Kubernetes, and CI

YAML•Permalink

Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions, Helm, Compose, and YAML-powered automation workflows with practical validation commands.

View

Standard Detailed Compact

Export

Copy the compact sheet, download it, or print it.

Download

`D` dense toggle · `C` copy all

Kubernetes YAML patterns

High-value YAML patterns that pull strong search traffic and repeated use.

Minimal Kubernetes Deployment

Define a basic Deployment resource in YAML.

yamlANYyamlkubernetesdeployment

↗#

yaml

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: expressyou-api
spec:
  replicas: 2
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: expressyou-api
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: expressyou-api
    spec:
      containers:
        - name: api
          image: us-central1-docker.pkg.dev/project/repo/api:latest
          ports:
            - containerPort: 8080

Notes

Kubernetes YAML is one of the most practical and searched YAML use cases.

Minimal GitHub Actions workflow

Define an automation workflow in YAML.

yamlANYyamlgithub-actionsci

↗#

yaml

name: CI
on: [push]
jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - run: npm test

Notes

GitHub Actions uses YAML, making it a prime topic for a YAML cheat sheet collection.

Apply a manifest

Create or update Kubernetes resources from YAML.

bashANYyamlkubectlapply

↗#

bash

kubectl apply -f deployment.yaml

Notes

One of the most frequently used YAML-related commands in real workflows.

Preview resource changes

Show what would change before applying a manifest.

bashANYyamlkubectldiff

↗#

bash

kubectl diff -f deployment.yaml

Notes

Useful in review and CI pipelines before a real apply.

Validation and rendering

Commands that prevent broken YAML from reaching production systems.

Inspect Kubernetes manifest fields

Read documentation for manifest fields from the terminal.

bashANYyamlkubectlexplain

↗#

bash

kubectl explain deployment.spec.template.spec.containers

Notes

Useful when writing or troubleshooting nested YAML in Kubernetes resources.

Lint a Helm chart

Validate templated YAML before rendering or deploy.

bashANYyamlhelmlint

↗#

bash

helm lint ./chart

Notes

Helm lint catches a mix of chart structure and rendered-template issues.

Render a composed YAML config

Validate and resolve a Compose file.

bashANYyamldocker-composevalidation

↗#

bash

docker compose config

Notes

Great for confirming environment interpolation and final resolved service config.

Lint YAML-based Ansible playbooks

Catch common style and correctness issues in playbooks.

bashANYyamlansiblelint

↗#

bash

ansible-lint playbook.yml

Notes

Another high-value YAML workflow because Ansible configs are YAML-based.

More in YAML

YAML Config and API Patterns

Application config, OpenAPI, environment settings, and interoperability patterns for YAML across modern tooling.

YAML Validation, Linting, and Troubleshooting

Common syntax errors, duplicate keys, parser checks, and validation workflows for debugging YAML faster.

YAML with yq: Query, Edit, and Transform

High-value yq commands for reading, updating, filtering, converting, and merging YAML in local scripts and CI pipelines.

YAML Multi-Document Streams

Document separators, multi-resource YAML files, and commands for splitting, filtering, and validating streamed YAML.

YAML Anchors, Aliases, and Merge Keys

Reusable YAML patterns using anchors and aliases, with merge examples and commands for expanding and validating resolved config.

YAML Indentation and Structure

Indentation patterns, nested lists and maps, and practical commands for catching whitespace and structure mistakes.

Recommended next

No recommendations yet.

Browse all sheets →