diff --git a/cmd/helm/flags.go b/cmd/helm/flags.go
index 76d6e0476..3f89aae29 100644
--- a/cmd/helm/flags.go
+++ b/cmd/helm/flags.go
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ func addValueOptionsFlags(f *pflag.FlagSet, v *values.Options) {
 	f.StringArrayVar(&v.StringValues, "set-string", []string{}, "set STRING values on the command line (can specify multiple or separate values with commas: key1=val1,key2=val2)")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&v.FileValues, "set-file", []string{}, "set values from respective files specified via the command line (can specify multiple or separate values with commas: key1=path1,key2=path2)")
 	f.StringArrayVar(&v.JSONValues, "set-json", []string{}, "set JSON values on the command line (can specify multiple or separate values with commas: key1=jsonval1,key2=jsonval2)")
+	f.StringArrayVar(&v.LiteralValues, "set-literal", []string{}, "set a literal STRING value on the command line")
 }
 
 func addChartPathOptionsFlags(f *pflag.FlagSet, c *action.ChartPathOptions) {
diff --git a/pkg/cli/values/options.go b/pkg/cli/values/options.go
index b895211d5..dbb0c0afe 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/values/options.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/values/options.go
@@ -30,11 +30,12 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Options struct {
-	ValueFiles   []string
-	StringValues []string
-	Values       []string
-	FileValues   []string
-	JSONValues   []string
+	ValueFiles    []string
+	StringValues  []string
+	Values        []string
+	FileValues    []string
+	JSONValues    []string
+	LiteralValues []string
 }
 
 // MergeValues merges values from files specified via -f/--values and directly
@@ -93,6 +94,13 @@ func (opts *Options) MergeValues(p getter.Providers) (map[string]interface{}, er
 		}
 	}
 
+	// User specified a value via --set-literal
+	for _, value := range opts.LiteralValues {
+		if err := strvals.ParseLiteralInto(value, base); err != nil {
+			return nil, errors.Wrap(err, "failed parsing --set-literal data")
+		}
+	}
+
 	return base, nil
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/strvals/literal_parser.go b/pkg/strvals/literal_parser.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fcab0d891
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/strvals/literal_parser.go
@@ -0,0 +1,236 @@
+/*
+Copyright The Helm Authors.
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package strvals
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"strconv"
+
+	"github.com/pkg/errors"
+)
+
+// ParseLiteral parses a set line interpreting the value as a literal string.
+//
+// A set line is of the form name1=value1
+func ParseLiteral(s string) (map[string]interface{}, error) {
+	vals := map[string]interface{}{}
+	scanner := bytes.NewBufferString(s)
+	t := newLiteralParser(scanner, vals)
+	err := t.parse()
+	return vals, err
+}
+
+// ParseLiteralInto parses a strvals line and merges the result into dest.
+// The value is interpreted as a literal string.
+//
+// If the strval string has a key that exists in dest, it overwrites the
+// dest version.
+func ParseLiteralInto(s string, dest map[string]interface{}) error {
+	scanner := bytes.NewBufferString(s)
+	t := newLiteralParser(scanner, dest)
+	return t.parse()
+}
+
+// literalParser is a simple parser that takes a strvals line and parses
+// it into a map representation.
+//
+// Values are interpreted as a literal string.
+//
+// where sc is the source of the original data being parsed
+// where data is the final parsed data from the parses with correct types
+type literalParser struct {
+	sc   *bytes.Buffer
+	data map[string]interface{}
+}
+
+func newLiteralParser(sc *bytes.Buffer, data map[string]interface{}) *literalParser {
+	return &literalParser{sc: sc, data: data}
+}
+
+func (t *literalParser) parse() error {
+	for {
+		err := t.key(t.data)
+		if err == nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+}
+
+func runesUntilLiteral(in io.RuneReader, stop map[rune]bool) ([]rune, rune, error) {
+	v := []rune{}
+	for {
+		switch r, _, e := in.ReadRune(); {
+		case e != nil:
+			return v, r, e
+		case inMap(r, stop):
+			return v, r, nil
+		default:
+			v = append(v, r)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *literalParser) key(data map[string]interface{}) (reterr error) {
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			reterr = fmt.Errorf("unable to parse key: %s", r)
+		}
+	}()
+	stop := runeSet([]rune{'=', '[', '.'})
+	for {
+		switch key, lastRune, err := runesUntilLiteral(t.sc, stop); {
+		case err != nil:
+			if len(key) == 0 {
+				return err
+			}
+			return errors.Errorf("key %q has no value", string(key))
+
+		case lastRune == '=':
+			// found end of key: swallow the '=' and get the value
+			value, err := t.val()
+			if err == nil && err != io.EOF {
+				return err
+			}
+			set(data, string(key), string(value))
+			return nil
+
+		case lastRune == '.':
+			// first, create or find the target map in the given data
+			inner := map[string]interface{}{}
+			if _, ok := data[string(key)]; ok {
+				inner = data[string(key)].(map[string]interface{})
+			}
+
+			// recurse on sub-tree with remaining data
+			err := t.key(inner)
+			if len(inner) == 0 {
+				return errors.Errorf("key map %q has no value", string(key))
+			}
+			set(data, string(key), inner)
+			return err
+
+		case lastRune == '[':
+			// We are in a list index context, so we need to set an index.
+			i, err := t.keyIndex()
+			if err != nil {
+				return errors.Wrap(err, "error parsing index")
+			}
+			kk := string(key)
+
+			// find or create target list
+			list := []interface{}{}
+			if _, ok := data[kk]; ok {
+				list = data[kk].([]interface{})
+			}
+
+			// now we need to get the value after the ]
+			list, err = t.listItem(list, i)
+			set(data, kk, list)
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *literalParser) keyIndex() (int, error) {
+	// First, get the key.
+	stop := runeSet([]rune{']'})
+	v, _, err := runesUntilLiteral(t.sc, stop)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, err
+	}
+
+	// v should be the index
+	return strconv.Atoi(string(v))
+}
+
+func (t *literalParser) listItem(list []interface{}, i int) ([]interface{}, error) {
+	if i < 0 {
+		return list, fmt.Errorf("negative %d index not allowed", i)
+	}
+	stop := runeSet([]rune{'[', '.', '='})
+
+	switch key, lastRune, err := runesUntilLiteral(t.sc, stop); {
+	case len(key) > 0:
+		return list, errors.Errorf("unexpected data at end of array index: %q", key)
+
+	case err != nil:
+		return list, err
+
+	case lastRune == '=':
+		value, err := t.val()
+		if err != nil && err != io.EOF {
+			return list, err
+		}
+		return setIndex(list, i, string(value))
+
+	case lastRune == '.':
+		// we have a nested object. Send to t.key
+		inner := map[string]interface{}{}
+		if len(list) > i {
+			var ok bool
+			inner, ok = list[i].(map[string]interface{})
+			if !ok {
+				// We have indices out of order. Initialize empty value.
+				list[i] = map[string]interface{}{}
+				inner = list[i].(map[string]interface{})
+			}
+		}
+
+		// recurse
+		err := t.key(inner)
+		if err != nil {
+			return list, err
+		}
+		return setIndex(list, i, inner)
+
+	case lastRune == '[':
+		// now we have a nested list. Read the index and handle.
+		nextI, err := t.keyIndex()
+		if err != nil {
+			return list, errors.Wrap(err, "error parsing index")
+		}
+		var crtList []interface{}
+		if len(list) > i {
+			// If nested list already exists, take the value of list to next cycle.
+			existed := list[i]
+			if existed != nil {
+				crtList = list[i].([]interface{})
+			}
+		}
+
+		// Now we need to get the value after the ].
+		list2, err := t.listItem(crtList, nextI)
+		if err != nil {
+			return list, err
+		}
+		return setIndex(list, i, list2)
+
+	default:
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("parse error: unexpected token %v", lastRune)
+	}
+}
+
+func (t *literalParser) val() ([]rune, error) {
+	stop := runeSet([]rune{})
+	v, _, err := runesUntilLiteral(t.sc, stop)
+	return v, err
+}
diff --git a/pkg/strvals/literal_parser_test.go b/pkg/strvals/literal_parser_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1951ecaf4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/strvals/literal_parser_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,415 @@
+/*
+Copyright The Helm Authors.
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package strvals
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"sigs.k8s.io/yaml"
+)
+
+func TestParseLiteral(t *testing.T) {
+	cases := []struct {
+		str    string
+		expect map[string]interface{}
+		err    bool
+	}{
+		{
+			str: "name",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": ""},
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=value",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "value"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "long_int_string=1234567890",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"long_int_string": "1234567890"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "boolean=true",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"boolean": "true"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "is_null=null",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"is_null": "null"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "zero=0",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"zero": "0"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name1=null,name2=value2",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name1": "null,name2=value2"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name1=value,,,tail",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name1": "value,,,tail"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "leading_zeros=00009",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"leading_zeros": "00009"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=one two three",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "one two three"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "outer.inner=value",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"outer": map[string]interface{}{"inner": "value"}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "outer.middle.inner=value",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"outer": map[string]interface{}{"middle": map[string]interface{}{"inner": "value"}}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.name2",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name1.name2=",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name1": map[string]interface{}{"name2": ""}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.=name2",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.,name2",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name1={value1,value2}",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name1": "{value1,value2}"},
+		},
+
+		// List support
+		{
+			str:    "list[0]=foo",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"list": []string{"foo"}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "list[0].foo=bar",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"list": []interface{}{
+					map[string]interface{}{"foo": "bar"},
+				},
+			},
+			err: false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "list[-30].hello=world",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "list[3]=bar",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"list": []interface{}{nil, nil, nil, "bar"}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "illegal[0]name.foo=bar",
+			err: true,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "noval[0]",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"noval": []interface{}{}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "noval[0]=",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"noval": []interface{}{""}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "nested[0][0]=1",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"nested": []interface{}{[]interface{}{"1"}}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "nested[1][1]=1",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"nested": []interface{}{nil, []interface{}{nil, "1"}}},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.name2[0].foo=bar",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"name1": map[string]interface{}{
+					"name2": []map[string]interface{}{{"foo": "bar"}},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.name2[1].foo=bar",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"name1": map[string]interface{}{
+					"name2": []map[string]interface{}{nil, {"foo": "bar"}},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			str: "name1.name2[1].foo=bar",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"name1": map[string]interface{}{
+					"name2": []map[string]interface{}{nil, {"foo": "bar"}},
+				},
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "]={}].",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"]": "{}]."},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+
+		// issue test cases: , = $ ( ) { } . \ \\
+		{
+			str:    "name=val,val",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "val,val"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=val.val",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "val.val"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=val=val",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "val=val"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=val$val",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "val$val"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=(value",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "(value"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=value)",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "value)"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=(value)",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "(value)"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name={value",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "{value"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name=value}",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "value}"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name={value}",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "{value}"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    "name={value1,value2}",
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": "{value1,value2}"},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    `name=val\val`,
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": `val\val`},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    `name=val\\val`,
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": `val\\val`},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    `name=val\\\val`,
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": `val\\\val`},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    `name={val,.?*v\0a!l)some`,
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": `{val,.?*v\0a!l)some`},
+			err:    false,
+		},
+		{
+			str:    `name=em%GT)tqUDqz,i-\h+Mbqs-!:.m\\rE=mkbM#rR}@{-k@`,
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{"name": `em%GT)tqUDqz,i-\h+Mbqs-!:.m\\rE=mkbM#rR}@{-k@`},
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range cases {
+		got, err := ParseLiteral(tt.str)
+		if err != nil {
+			if !tt.err {
+				t.Fatalf("%s: %s", tt.str, err)
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if tt.err {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Expected error. Got nil", tt.str)
+		}
+
+		y1, err := yaml.Marshal(tt.expect)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+
+		y2, err := yaml.Marshal(got)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Error serializing parsed value: %s", err)
+		}
+
+		if string(y1) != string(y2) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Expected:\n%s\nGot:\n%s", tt.str, y1, y2)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestParseLiteralInto(t *testing.T) {
+	tests := []struct {
+		input  string
+		input2 string
+		got    map[string]interface{}
+		expect map[string]interface{}
+		err    bool
+	}{
+		{
+			input: "outer.inner1=value1,outer.inner3=value3,outer.inner4=4",
+			got: map[string]interface{}{
+				"outer": map[string]interface{}{
+					"inner1": "overwrite",
+					"inner2": "value2",
+				},
+			},
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"outer": map[string]interface{}{
+					"inner1": "value1,outer.inner3=value3,outer.inner4=4",
+					"inner2": "value2",
+				}},
+			err: false,
+		},
+		{
+			input:  "listOuter[0][0].type=listValue",
+			input2: "listOuter[0][0].status=alive",
+			got:    map[string]interface{}{},
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"listOuter": [][]interface{}{{map[string]string{
+					"type":   "listValue",
+					"status": "alive",
+				}}},
+			},
+			err: false,
+		},
+		{
+			input:  "listOuter[0][0].type=listValue",
+			input2: "listOuter[1][0].status=alive",
+			got:    map[string]interface{}{},
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"listOuter": [][]interface{}{
+					{
+						map[string]string{"type": "listValue"},
+					},
+					{
+						map[string]string{"status": "alive"},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			err: false,
+		},
+		{
+			input:  "listOuter[0][1][0].type=listValue",
+			input2: "listOuter[0][0][1].status=alive",
+			got: map[string]interface{}{
+				"listOuter": []interface{}{
+					[]interface{}{
+						[]interface{}{
+							map[string]string{"exited": "old"},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			expect: map[string]interface{}{
+				"listOuter": [][][]interface{}{
+					{
+						{
+							map[string]string{"exited": "old"},
+							map[string]string{"status": "alive"},
+						},
+						{
+							map[string]string{"type": "listValue"},
+						},
+					},
+				},
+			},
+			err: false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		if err := ParseLiteralInto(tt.input, tt.got); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		if tt.err {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Expected error. Got nil", tt.input)
+		}
+
+		if tt.input2 != "" {
+			if err := ParseLiteralInto(tt.input2, tt.got); err != nil {
+				t.Fatal(err)
+			}
+			if tt.err {
+				t.Errorf("%s: Expected error. Got nil", tt.input2)
+			}
+		}
+
+		y1, err := yaml.Marshal(tt.expect)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+
+		y2, err := yaml.Marshal(tt.got)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("Error serializing parsed value: %s", err)
+		}
+
+		if string(y1) != string(y2) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: Expected:\n%s\nGot:\n%s", tt.input, y1, y2)
+		}
+	}
+}