# Error: chart requires dependencies. Chart.yaml has dependencies but no 'charts/' directory. Run 'helm dependency update' to generate the charts directory.

- **ID:** `cicd/helm-chart-dependency-missing`
- **Domain:** cicd
- **Category:** build_error
- **Error Code:** `HELM_DEP_MISSING`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 90%

## Root Cause

Helm chart has declared dependencies in Chart.yaml but the charts/ directory is missing because dependencies were not downloaded or committed to the repository.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Helm 3.12.0 | active | — | — |
| Helm 3.14.1 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Run 'helm dependency update ./chart-dir' in the chart directory to download dependencies into the charts/ folder. Then commit the charts/ directory to your repository.** (95% success)
   ```
   Run 'helm dependency update ./chart-dir' in the chart directory to download dependencies into the charts/ folder. Then commit the charts/ directory to your repository.
   ```
2. **Add a CI step before deployment: 'helm dependency build ./chart-dir' to ensure dependencies are fetched fresh each build without committing charts/.** (85% success)
   ```
   Add a CI step before deployment: 'helm dependency build ./chart-dir' to ensure dependencies are fetched fresh each build without committing charts/.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Manually creating an empty charts/ directory does not resolve the error because the actual dependency packages are missing. (90% fail)
- **** — Deleting Chart.yaml dependencies and re-adding them without running helm dependency update still leaves charts/ empty. (70% fail)
- **** — Using helm install --dependency-update flag may fail if the chart repository is not accessible (e.g., private repo). (50% fail)