refactor: Replace action 'DryRun' string with DryRunStrategy type + deprecations

Signed-off-by: George Jenkins <gvjenkins@gmail.com>

pkg/action/action.go

@@ -70,6 +70,21 @@ var (
 	errPending = errors.New("another operation (install/upgrade/rollback) is in progress")
 )
 
+type DryRunStrategy string
+
+const (
+	// DryRunNone indicates the client will make all mutating calls
+	DryRunNone DryRunStrategy = "none"
+
+	// DryRunClient, or client-side dry-run, indicates the client will avoid
+	// making calls to the server
+	DryRunClient DryRunStrategy = "client"
+
+	// DryRunServer, or server-side dry-run, indicates the client will send
+	// calls to the APIServer with the dry-run parameter to prevent persisting changes
+	DryRunServer DryRunStrategy = "server"
+)
+
 // Configuration injects the dependencies that all actions share.
 type Configuration struct {
 	// RESTClientGetter is an interface that loads Kubernetes clients.
@@ -528,3 +543,13 @@ func determineReleaseSSApplyMethod(serverSideApply bool) release.ApplyMethod {
 	}
 	return release.ApplyMethodClientSideApply
 }
+
+// isDryRun returns true if the strategy is set to run as a DryRun
+func isDryRun(strategy DryRunStrategy) bool {
+	return strategy == DryRunClient || strategy == DryRunServer
+}
+
+// interactWithServer determine whether or not to interact with a remote Kubernetes server
+func interactWithServer(strategy DryRunStrategy) bool {
+	return strategy == DryRunNone || strategy == DryRunServer
+}

pkg/action/action_test.go

@@ -951,3 +951,15 @@ func TestDetermineReleaseSSAApplyMethod(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, release.ApplyMethodClientSideApply, determineReleaseSSApplyMethod(false))
 	assert.Equal(t, release.ApplyMethodServerSideApply, determineReleaseSSApplyMethod(true))
 }
+
+func TestIsDryRun(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.False(t, isDryRun(DryRunNone))
+	assert.True(t, isDryRun(DryRunClient))
+	assert.True(t, isDryRun(DryRunServer))
+}
+
+func TestInteractWithServer(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.True(t, interactWithServer(DryRunNone))
+	assert.False(t, interactWithServer(DryRunClient))
+	assert.True(t, interactWithServer(DryRunServer))
+}

pkg/action/install.go

@@ -75,7 +75,6 @@ type Install struct {
 
 	ChartPathOptions
 
-	ClientOnly bool
 	// ForceReplace will, if set to `true`, ignore certain warnings and perform the install anyway.
 	//
 	// This should be used with caution.
@@ -87,8 +86,8 @@ type Install struct {
 	// see: https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/using-api/server-side-apply/
 	ServerSideApply bool
 	CreateNamespace bool
-	DryRun          bool
+	// DryRunStrategy can be set to prepare, but not execute the operation and whether or not to interact with the remote cluster
-	DryRunOption    string
+	DryRunStrategy DryRunStrategy
 	// HideSecret can be set to true when DryRun is enabled in order to hide
 	// Kubernetes Secrets in the output. It cannot be used outside of DryRun.
 	HideSecret       bool
@@ -159,6 +158,7 @@ func NewInstall(cfg *Configuration) *Install {
 	in := &Install{
 		cfg:             cfg,
 		ServerSideApply: true,
+		DryRunStrategy:  DryRunNone,
 	}
 	in.registryClient = cfg.RegistryClient
 
@@ -264,8 +264,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 		return nil, errors.New("invalid chart apiVersion")
 	}
 
-	// Check reachability of cluster unless in client-only mode (e.g. `helm template` without `--validate`)
+	if interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy) {
-	if !i.ClientOnly {
 		if err := i.cfg.KubeClient.IsReachable(); err != nil {
 			slog.Error(fmt.Sprintf("cluster reachability check failed: %v", err))
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("cluster reachability check failed: %w", err)
@@ -273,7 +272,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 	}
 
 	// HideSecret must be used with dry run. Otherwise, return an error.
-	if !i.isDryRun() && i.HideSecret {
+	if !isDryRun(i.DryRunStrategy) && i.HideSecret {
 		slog.Error("hiding Kubernetes secrets requires a dry-run mode")
 		return nil, errors.New("hiding Kubernetes secrets requires a dry-run mode")
 	}
@@ -288,23 +287,18 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("chart dependencies processing failed: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	var interactWithRemote bool
-	if !i.isDryRun() || i.DryRunOption == "server" || i.DryRunOption == "none" || i.DryRunOption == "false" {
-		interactWithRemote = true
-	}
-
 	// Pre-install anything in the crd/ directory. We do this before Helm
 	// contacts the upstream server and builds the capabilities object.
-	if crds := chrt.CRDObjects(); !i.ClientOnly && !i.SkipCRDs && len(crds) > 0 {
+	if crds := chrt.CRDObjects(); interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy) && !i.SkipCRDs && len(crds) > 0 {
 		// On dry run, bail here
-		if i.isDryRun() {
+		if isDryRun(i.DryRunStrategy) {
 			slog.Warn("This chart or one of its subcharts contains CRDs. Rendering may fail or contain inaccuracies.")
 		} else if err := i.installCRDs(crds); err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
 	}
 
-	if i.ClientOnly {
+	if !interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy) {
 		// Add mock objects in here so it doesn't use Kube API server
 		// NOTE(bacongobbler): used for `helm template`
 		i.cfg.Capabilities = common.DefaultCapabilities.Copy()
@@ -317,7 +311,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 		mem := driver.NewMemory()
 		mem.SetNamespace(i.Namespace)
 		i.cfg.Releases = storage.Init(mem)
-	} else if !i.ClientOnly && len(i.APIVersions) > 0 {
+	} else if interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy) && len(i.APIVersions) > 0 {
 		slog.Debug("API Version list given outside of client only mode, this list will be ignored")
 	}
 
@@ -333,7 +327,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 	}
 
 	// special case for helm template --is-upgrade
-	isUpgrade := i.IsUpgrade && i.isDryRun()
+	isUpgrade := i.IsUpgrade && isDryRun(i.DryRunStrategy)
 	options := common.ReleaseOptions{
 		Name:      i.ReleaseName,
 		Namespace: i.Namespace,
@@ -353,7 +347,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 	rel := i.createRelease(chrt, vals, i.Labels)
 
 	var manifestDoc *bytes.Buffer
-	rel.Hooks, manifestDoc, rel.Info.Notes, err = i.cfg.renderResources(chrt, valuesToRender, i.ReleaseName, i.OutputDir, i.SubNotes, i.UseReleaseName, i.IncludeCRDs, i.PostRenderer, interactWithRemote, i.EnableDNS, i.HideSecret)
+	rel.Hooks, manifestDoc, rel.Info.Notes, err = i.cfg.renderResources(chrt, valuesToRender, i.ReleaseName, i.OutputDir, i.SubNotes, i.UseReleaseName, i.IncludeCRDs, i.PostRenderer, interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy), i.EnableDNS, i.HideSecret)
 	// Even for errors, attach this if available
 	if manifestDoc != nil {
 		rel.Manifest = manifestDoc.String()
@@ -386,7 +380,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 	// we'll end up in a state where we will delete those resources upon
 	// deleting the release because the manifest will be pointing at that
 	// resource
-	if !i.ClientOnly && !isUpgrade && len(resources) > 0 {
+	if interactWithServer(i.DryRunStrategy) && !isUpgrade && len(resources) > 0 {
 		if i.TakeOwnership {
 			toBeAdopted, err = requireAdoption(resources)
 		} else {
@@ -398,7 +392,7 @@ func (i *Install) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, ch ci.Charter, vals map[st
 	}
 
 	// Bail out here if it is a dry run
-	if i.isDryRun() {
+	if isDryRun(i.DryRunStrategy) {
 		rel.Info.Description = "Dry run complete"
 		return rel, nil
 	}
@@ -480,14 +474,6 @@ func (i *Install) getGoroutineCount() int32 {
 	return i.goroutineCount.Load()
 }
 
-// isDryRun returns true if Upgrade is set to run as a DryRun
-func (i *Install) isDryRun() bool {
-	if i.DryRun || i.DryRunOption == "client" || i.DryRunOption == "server" || i.DryRunOption == "true" {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
 func (i *Install) performInstall(rel *release.Release, toBeAdopted kube.ResourceList, resources kube.ResourceList) (*release.Release, error) {
 	var err error
 	// pre-install hooks
@@ -590,7 +576,7 @@ func (i *Install) availableName() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("release name %q: %w", start, err)
 	}
 	// On dry run, bail here
-	if i.isDryRun() {
+	if isDryRun(i.DryRunStrategy) {
 		return nil
 	}
 

pkg/action/install_test.go

@@ -249,16 +249,6 @@ func TestInstallReleaseWithValues(t *testing.T) {
 	is.Equal(expectedUserValues, rel.Config)
 }
 
-func TestInstallReleaseClientOnly(t *testing.T) {
-	is := assert.New(t)
-	instAction := installAction(t)
-	instAction.ClientOnly = true
-	instAction.Run(buildChart(), nil) // disregard output
-
-	is.Equal(instAction.cfg.Capabilities, common.DefaultCapabilities)
-	is.Equal(instAction.cfg.KubeClient, &kubefake.PrintingKubeClient{Out: io.Discard})
-}
-
 func TestInstallRelease_NoName(t *testing.T) {
 	instAction := installAction(t)
 	instAction.ReleaseName = ""
@@ -355,10 +345,12 @@ func TestInstallRelease_WithChartAndDependencyAllNotes(t *testing.T) {
 	is.Equal(rel.Info.Description, "Install complete")
 }
 
-func TestInstallRelease_DryRun(t *testing.T) {
+func TestInstallRelease_DryRunClient(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, dryRunStrategy := range []DryRunStrategy{DryRunClient, DryRunServer} {
 		is := assert.New(t)
 		instAction := installAction(t)
-	instAction.DryRun = true
+		instAction.DryRunStrategy = dryRunStrategy
+
 		vals := map[string]interface{}{}
 		res, err := instAction.Run(buildChart(withSampleTemplates()), vals)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -376,6 +368,7 @@ func TestInstallRelease_DryRun(t *testing.T) {
 		is.Len(res.Hooks, 1)
 		is.True(res.Hooks[0].LastRun.CompletedAt.IsZero(), "expect hook to not be marked as run")
 		is.Equal(res.Info.Description, "Dry run complete")
+	}
 }
 
 func TestInstallRelease_DryRunHiddenSecret(t *testing.T) {
@@ -383,7 +376,7 @@ func TestInstallRelease_DryRunHiddenSecret(t *testing.T) {
 	instAction := installAction(t)
 
 	// First perform a normal dry-run with the secret and confirm its presence.
-	instAction.DryRun = true
+	instAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunClient
 	vals := map[string]interface{}{}
 	res, err := instAction.Run(buildChart(withSampleSecret(), withSampleTemplates()), vals)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -410,7 +403,7 @@ func TestInstallRelease_DryRunHiddenSecret(t *testing.T) {
 	is.Equal(res2.Info.Description, "Dry run complete")
 
 	// Ensure there is an error when HideSecret True but not in a dry-run mode
-	instAction.DryRun = false
+	instAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunNone
 	vals = map[string]interface{}{}
 	_, err = instAction.Run(buildChart(withSampleSecret(), withSampleTemplates()), vals)
 	if err == nil {
@@ -422,7 +415,7 @@ func TestInstallRelease_DryRunHiddenSecret(t *testing.T) {
 func TestInstallRelease_DryRun_Lookup(t *testing.T) {
 	is := assert.New(t)
 	instAction := installAction(t)
-	instAction.DryRun = true
+	instAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunNone
 	vals := map[string]interface{}{}
 
 	mockChart := buildChart(withSampleTemplates())
@@ -442,7 +435,7 @@ func TestInstallRelease_DryRun_Lookup(t *testing.T) {
 func TestInstallReleaseIncorrectTemplate_DryRun(t *testing.T) {
 	is := assert.New(t)
 	instAction := installAction(t)
-	instAction.DryRun = true
+	instAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunNone
 	vals := map[string]interface{}{}
 	_, err := instAction.Run(buildChart(withSampleIncludingIncorrectTemplates()), vals)
 	expectedErr := `hello/templates/incorrect:1:10
@@ -1001,7 +994,6 @@ func TestInstallRun_UnreachableKubeClient(t *testing.T) {
 	config.KubeClient = &failingKubeClient
 
 	instAction := NewInstall(config)
-	instAction.ClientOnly = false
 	ctx, done := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
 	chrt := buildChart()
 	res, err := instAction.RunWithContext(ctx, chrt, nil)

pkg/action/rollback.go

@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ type Rollback struct {
 	WaitStrategy kube.WaitStrategy
 	WaitForJobs  bool
 	DisableHooks bool
-	DryRun       bool
+	// DryRunStrategy can be set to prepare, but not execute the operation and whether or not to interact with the remote cluster
+	DryRunStrategy DryRunStrategy
 	// ForceReplace will, if set to `true`, ignore certain warnings and perform the rollback anyway.
 	//
 	// This should be used with caution.
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ type Rollback struct {
 func NewRollback(cfg *Configuration) *Rollback {
 	return &Rollback{
 		cfg:            cfg,
+		DryRunStrategy: DryRunNone,
 	}
 }
 
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ func (r *Rollback) Run(name string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if !r.DryRun {
+	if !isDryRun(r.DryRunStrategy) {
 		slog.Debug("creating rolled back release", "name", name)
 		if err := r.cfg.Releases.Create(targetRelease); err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ func (r *Rollback) Run(name string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if !r.DryRun {
+	if !isDryRun(r.DryRunStrategy) {
 		slog.Debug("updating status for rolled back release", "name", name)
 		if err := r.cfg.Releases.Update(targetRelease); err != nil {
 			return err
@@ -175,7 +177,7 @@ func (r *Rollback) prepareRollback(name string) (*release.Release, *release.Rele
 }
 
 func (r *Rollback) performRollback(currentRelease, targetRelease *release.Release, serverSideApply bool) (*release.Release, error) {
-	if r.DryRun {
+	if isDryRun(r.DryRunStrategy) {
 		slog.Debug("dry run", "name", targetRelease.Name)
 		return targetRelease, nil
 	}

pkg/action/upgrade.go

@@ -73,10 +73,8 @@ type Upgrade struct {
 	WaitForJobs bool
 	// DisableHooks disables hook processing if set to true.
 	DisableHooks bool
-	// DryRun controls whether the operation is prepared, but not executed.
+	// DryRunStrategy can be set to prepare, but not execute the operation and whether or not to interact with the remote cluster
-	DryRun bool
+	DryRunStrategy DryRunStrategy
-	// DryRunOption controls whether the operation is prepared, but not executed with options on whether or not to interact with the remote cluster.
-	DryRunOption string
 	// HideSecret can be set to true when DryRun is enabled in order to hide
 	// Kubernetes Secrets in the output. It cannot be used outside of DryRun.
 	HideSecret bool
@@ -140,6 +138,7 @@ func NewUpgrade(cfg *Configuration) *Upgrade {
 	up := &Upgrade{
 		cfg:             cfg,
 		ServerSideApply: "auto",
+		DryRunStrategy:  DryRunNone,
 	}
 	up.registryClient = cfg.RegistryClient
 
@@ -198,7 +197,7 @@ func (u *Upgrade) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, name string, ch chart.Char
 	}
 
 	// Do not update for dry runs
-	if !u.isDryRun() {
+	if !isDryRun(u.DryRunStrategy) {
 		slog.Debug("updating status for upgraded release", "name", name)
 		if err := u.cfg.Releases.Update(upgradedRelease); err != nil {
 			return res, err
@@ -208,14 +207,6 @@ func (u *Upgrade) RunWithContext(ctx context.Context, name string, ch chart.Char
 	return res, nil
 }
 
-// isDryRun returns true if Upgrade is set to run as a DryRun
-func (u *Upgrade) isDryRun() bool {
-	if u.DryRun || u.DryRunOption == "client" || u.DryRunOption == "server" || u.DryRunOption == "true" {
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
 // prepareUpgrade builds an upgraded release for an upgrade operation.
 func (u *Upgrade) prepareUpgrade(name string, chart *chartv2.Chart, vals map[string]interface{}) (*release.Release, *release.Release, bool, error) {
 	if chart == nil {
@@ -223,7 +214,7 @@ func (u *Upgrade) prepareUpgrade(name string, chart *chartv2.Chart, vals map[str
 	}
 
 	// HideSecret must be used with dry run. Otherwise, return an error.
-	if !u.isDryRun() && u.HideSecret {
+	if !isDryRun(u.DryRunStrategy) && u.HideSecret {
 		return nil, nil, false, errors.New("hiding Kubernetes secrets requires a dry-run mode")
 	}
 
@@ -289,13 +280,7 @@ func (u *Upgrade) prepareUpgrade(name string, chart *chartv2.Chart, vals map[str
 		return nil, nil, false, err
 	}
 
-	// Determine whether or not to interact with remote
+	hooks, manifestDoc, notesTxt, err := u.cfg.renderResources(chart, valuesToRender, "", "", u.SubNotes, false, false, u.PostRenderer, interactWithServer(u.DryRunStrategy), u.EnableDNS, u.HideSecret)
-	var interactWithRemote bool
-	if !u.isDryRun() || u.DryRunOption == "server" || u.DryRunOption == "none" || u.DryRunOption == "false" {
-		interactWithRemote = true
-	}
-
-	hooks, manifestDoc, notesTxt, err := u.cfg.renderResources(chart, valuesToRender, "", "", u.SubNotes, false, false, u.PostRenderer, interactWithRemote, u.EnableDNS, u.HideSecret)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, false, err
 	}
@@ -391,8 +376,7 @@ func (u *Upgrade) performUpgrade(ctx context.Context, originalRelease, upgradedR
 		return nil
 	})
 
-	// Run if it is a dry run
+	if isDryRun(u.DryRunStrategy) {
-	if u.isDryRun() {
 		slog.Debug("dry run for release", "name", upgradedRelease.Name)
 		if len(u.Description) > 0 {
 			upgradedRelease.Info.Description = u.Description

pkg/action/upgrade_test.go

@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ func TestUpgradeRelease_DryRun(t *testing.T) {
 	rel.Info.Status = release.StatusDeployed
 	req.NoError(upAction.cfg.Releases.Create(rel))
 
-	upAction.DryRun = true
+	upAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunClient
 	vals := map[string]interface{}{}
 
 	ctx, done := context.WithCancel(t.Context())
@@ -577,7 +577,7 @@ func TestUpgradeRelease_DryRun(t *testing.T) {
 	is.Equal(1, lastRelease.Version)
 
 	// Ensure in a dry run mode when using HideSecret
-	upAction.DryRun = false
+	upAction.DryRunStrategy = DryRunNone
 	vals = map[string]interface{}{}
 
 	ctx, done = context.WithCancel(t.Context())

pkg/cmd/helpers.go

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+/*
+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 cmd
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"log/slog"
+	"strconv"
+
+	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+
+	"helm.sh/helm/v4/pkg/action"
+)
+
+func addDryRunFlag(cmd *cobra.Command) {
+	// --dry-run options with expected outcome:
+	// - Not set means no dry run and server is contacted.
+	// - Set with no value, a value of client, or a value of true and the server is not contacted
+	// - Set with a value of false, none, or false and the server is contacted
+	// The true/false part is meant to reflect some legacy behavior while none is equal to "".
+	f := cmd.Flags()
+	f.String(
+		"dry-run",
+		"none",
+		`simulates the operation without persisting changes. Must be one of: "none" (default), "client", or "server". '--dry-run=none' executes the operation normally and persists changes (no simulation). '--dry-run=client' simulates the operation client-side only and avoids cluster connections. '--dry-run=server' simulates the operation on the server, requiring cluster connectivity.`)
+	f.Lookup("dry-run").NoOptDefVal = "unset"
+}
+
+// Determine the `action.DryRunStrategy` given -dry-run=<value>` flag (or absence of)
+// Legacy usage of the flag: boolean values, and `--dry-run` (without value) are supported, and log warnings emitted
+func cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd *cobra.Command, isTemplate bool) (action.DryRunStrategy, error) {
+
+	f := cmd.Flag("dry-run")
+	v := f.Value.String()
+
+	switch v {
+	case f.NoOptDefVal:
+		slog.Warn(`--dry-run is deprecated and should be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`)
+		return action.DryRunClient, nil
+	case string(action.DryRunClient):
+		return action.DryRunClient, nil
+	case string(action.DryRunServer):
+		return action.DryRunServer, nil
+	case string(action.DryRunNone):
+		if isTemplate {
+			// Special case hack for `helm template`, which is always a dry run
+			return action.DryRunNone, fmt.Errorf(`invalid dry-run value (%q). Must be "server" or "client"`, v)
+		}
+		return action.DryRunNone, nil
+	}
+
+	b, err := strconv.ParseBool(v)
+	if err != nil {
+		return action.DryRunNone, fmt.Errorf(`invalid dry-run value (%q). Must be "none", "server", or "client"`, v)
+	}
+
+	if isTemplate && !b {
+		// Special case for `helm template`, which is always a dry run
+		return action.DryRunNone, fmt.Errorf(`invalid dry-run value (%q). Must be "server" or "client"`, v)
+	}
+
+	result := action.DryRunNone
+	if b {
+		result = action.DryRunClient
+	}
+	slog.Warn(fmt.Sprintf(`boolean '--dry-run=%v' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=%s'`, v, result))
+
+	return result, nil
+}

pkg/cmd/helpers_test.go

@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"io"
+	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
@@ -26,6 +28,8 @@ import (
 
 	shellwords "github.com/mattn/go-shellwords"
 	"github.com/spf13/cobra"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 
 	"helm.sh/helm/v4/internal/test"
 	"helm.sh/helm/v4/pkg/action"
@@ -151,3 +155,155 @@ func resetEnv() func() {
 		settings = cli.New()
 	}
 }
+
+func TestCmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(t *testing.T) {
+
+	type testCaseExpectedLog struct {
+		Level string
+		Msg   string
+	}
+	testCases := map[string]struct {
+		DryRunFlagArg    string
+		IsTemplate       bool
+		ExpectedStrategy action.DryRunStrategy
+		ExpectedError    bool
+		ExpectedLog      *testCaseExpectedLog
+	}{
+		"unset_value": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `--dry-run is deprecated and should be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"unset_special": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=unset", // Special value that matches cmd.Flags("dry-run").NoOptDefVal
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `--dry-run is deprecated and should be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"none": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=none",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunNone,
+		},
+		"client": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=client",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+		},
+		"server": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=server",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunServer,
+		},
+		"bool_false": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=false",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunNone,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `boolean '--dry-run=false' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=none'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"bool_true": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=true",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `boolean '--dry-run=true' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"bool_0": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=0",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunNone,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `boolean '--dry-run=0' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=none'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"bool_1": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=1",
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `boolean '--dry-run=1' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"invalid": {
+			DryRunFlagArg: "--dry-run=invalid",
+			ExpectedError: true,
+		},
+		"template_unset_value": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run",
+			IsTemplate:       true,
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `--dry-run is deprecated and should be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"template_bool_false": {
+			DryRunFlagArg: "--dry-run=false",
+			IsTemplate:    true,
+			ExpectedError: true,
+		},
+		"template_bool_template_true": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=true",
+			IsTemplate:       true,
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+			ExpectedLog: &testCaseExpectedLog{
+				Level: "WARN",
+				Msg:   `boolean '--dry-run=true' flag is deprecated and must be replaced with '--dry-run=client'`,
+			},
+		},
+		"template_none": {
+			DryRunFlagArg: "--dry-run=none",
+			IsTemplate:    true,
+			ExpectedError: true,
+		},
+		"template_client": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=client",
+			IsTemplate:       true,
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunClient,
+		},
+		"template_server": {
+			DryRunFlagArg:    "--dry-run=server",
+			IsTemplate:       true,
+			ExpectedStrategy: action.DryRunServer,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for name, tc := range testCases {
+
+		logBuf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+		logger := slog.New(slog.NewJSONHandler(logBuf, nil))
+		slog.SetDefault(logger)
+
+		cmd := &cobra.Command{
+			Use: "helm",
+		}
+		addDryRunFlag(cmd)
+		cmd.Flags().Parse([]string{"helm", tc.DryRunFlagArg})
+
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			dryRunStrategy, err := cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd, tc.IsTemplate)
+			if tc.ExpectedError {
+				assert.Error(t, err)
+			} else {
+				assert.Nil(t, err)
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.ExpectedStrategy, dryRunStrategy)
+			}
+
+			if tc.ExpectedLog != nil {
+				logResult := map[string]string{}
+				err = json.Unmarshal(logBuf.Bytes(), &logResult)
+				require.Nil(t, err)
+
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.ExpectedLog.Level, logResult["level"])
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.ExpectedLog.Msg, logResult["msg"])
+			} else {
+				assert.Equal(t, 0, logBuf.Len())
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

pkg/cmd/install.go

@@ -18,14 +18,12 @@ package cmd
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"io"
 	"log"
 	"log/slog"
 	"os"
 	"os/signal"
-	"slices"
 	"syscall"
 	"time"
 
@@ -144,7 +142,7 @@ func newInstallCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 		ValidArgsFunction: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string, toComplete string) ([]string, cobra.ShellCompDirective) {
 			return compInstall(args, toComplete, client)
 		},
-		RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			registryClient, err := newRegistryClient(client.CertFile, client.KeyFile, client.CaFile,
 				client.InsecureSkipTLSverify, client.PlainHTTP, client.Username, client.Password)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -152,12 +150,12 @@ func newInstallCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 			}
 			client.SetRegistryClient(registryClient)
 
-			// This is for the case where "" is specifically passed in as a
+			dryRunStrategy, err := cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd, false)
-			// value. When there is no value passed in NoOptDefVal will be used
+			if err != nil {
-			// and it is set to client. See addInstallFlags.
+				return err
-			if client.DryRunOption == "" {
-				client.DryRunOption = "none"
 			}
+			client.DryRunStrategy = dryRunStrategy
+
 			rel, err := runInstall(args, client, valueOpts, out)
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("INSTALLATION FAILED: %w", err)
@@ -173,11 +171,12 @@ func newInstallCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 		},
 	}
 
-	addInstallFlags(cmd, cmd.Flags(), client, valueOpts)
+	f := cmd.Flags()
+	addInstallFlags(cmd, f, client, valueOpts)
 	// hide-secret is not available in all places the install flags are used so
 	// it is added separately
-	f := cmd.Flags()
 	f.BoolVar(&client.HideSecret, "hide-secret", false, "hide Kubernetes Secrets when also using the --dry-run flag")
+	addDryRunFlag(cmd)
 	bindOutputFlag(cmd, &outfmt)
 	bindPostRenderFlag(cmd, &client.PostRenderer, settings)
 
@@ -186,13 +185,6 @@ func newInstallCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 
 func addInstallFlags(cmd *cobra.Command, f *pflag.FlagSet, client *action.Install, valueOpts *values.Options) {
 	f.BoolVar(&client.CreateNamespace, "create-namespace", false, "create the release namespace if not present")
-	// --dry-run options with expected outcome:
-	// - Not set means no dry run and server is contacted.
-	// - Set with no value, a value of client, or a value of true and the server is not contacted
-	// - Set with a value of false, none, or false and the server is contacted
-	// The true/false part is meant to reflect some legacy behavior while none is equal to "".
-	f.StringVar(&client.DryRunOption, "dry-run", "", "simulate an install. If --dry-run is set with no option being specified or as '--dry-run=client', it will not attempt cluster connections. Setting '--dry-run=server' allows attempting cluster connections.")
-	f.Lookup("dry-run").NoOptDefVal = "client"
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force-replace", false, "force resource updates by replacement")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force", false, "deprecated")
 	f.MarkDeprecated("force", "use --force-replace instead")
@@ -316,11 +308,6 @@ func runInstall(args []string, client *action.Install, valueOpts *values.Options
 
 	client.Namespace = settings.Namespace()
 
-	// Validate DryRunOption member is one of the allowed values
-	if err := validateDryRunOptionFlag(client.DryRunOption); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
 	// Create context and prepare the handle of SIGTERM
 	ctx := context.Background()
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithCancel(ctx)
@@ -363,13 +350,3 @@ func compInstall(args []string, toComplete string, client *action.Install) ([]st
 	}
 	return nil, cobra.ShellCompDirectiveNoFileComp
 }
-
-func validateDryRunOptionFlag(dryRunOptionFlagValue string) error {
-	// Validate dry-run flag value with a set of allowed value
-	allowedDryRunValues := []string{"false", "true", "none", "client", "server"}
-	isAllowed := slices.Contains(allowedDryRunValues, dryRunOptionFlagValue)
-	if !isAllowed {
-		return errors.New("invalid dry-run flag. Flag must one of the following: false, true, none, client, server")
-	}
-	return nil
-}

pkg/cmd/rollback.go

@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func newRollbackCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 
 			return noMoreArgsComp()
 		},
-		RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			if len(args) > 1 {
 				ver, err := strconv.Atoi(args[1])
 				if err != nil {
@@ -66,6 +66,12 @@ func newRollbackCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 				client.Version = ver
 			}
 
+			dryRunStrategy, err := cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd, false)
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			client.DryRunStrategy = dryRunStrategy
+
 			if err := client.Run(args[0]); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
@@ -76,7 +82,6 @@ func newRollbackCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	}
 
 	f := cmd.Flags()
-	f.BoolVar(&client.DryRun, "dry-run", false, "simulate a rollback")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force-replace", false, "force resource updates by replacement")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force", false, "deprecated")
 	f.MarkDeprecated("force", "use --force-replace instead")
@@ -87,6 +92,7 @@ func newRollbackCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	f.BoolVar(&client.WaitForJobs, "wait-for-jobs", false, "if set and --wait enabled, will wait until all Jobs have been completed before marking the release as successful. It will wait for as long as --timeout")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.CleanupOnFail, "cleanup-on-fail", false, "allow deletion of new resources created in this rollback when rollback fails")
 	f.IntVar(&client.MaxHistory, "history-max", settings.MaxHistory, "limit the maximum number of revisions saved per release. Use 0 for no limit")
+	addDryRunFlag(cmd)
 	AddWaitFlag(cmd, &client.WaitStrategy)
 	cmd.MarkFlagsMutuallyExclusive("force-replace", "force-conflicts")
 	cmd.MarkFlagsMutuallyExclusive("force", "force-conflicts")

pkg/cmd/template.go

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func newTemplateCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 		ValidArgsFunction: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string, toComplete string) ([]string, cobra.ShellCompDirective) {
 			return compInstall(args, toComplete, client)
 		},
-		RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			if kubeVersion != "" {
 				parsedKubeVersion, err := common.ParseKubeVersion(kubeVersion)
 				if err != nil {
@@ -83,16 +83,17 @@ func newTemplateCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 			}
 			client.SetRegistryClient(registryClient)
 
-			// This is for the case where "" is specifically passed in as a
+			dryRunStrategy, err := cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd, true)
-			// value. When there is no value passed in NoOptDefVal will be used
+			if err != nil {
-			// and it is set to client. See addInstallFlags.
+				return err
-			if client.DryRunOption == "" {
+			}
-				client.DryRunOption = "true"
+			if validate {
+				// Mimic deprecated --validate flag behavior by enabling server dry run
+				dryRunStrategy = action.DryRunServer
 			}
-			client.DryRun = true
+			client.DryRunStrategy = dryRunStrategy
 			client.ReleaseName = "release-name"
 			client.Replace = true // Skip the name check
-			client.ClientOnly = !validate
 			client.APIVersions = common.VersionSet(extraAPIs)
 			client.IncludeCRDs = includeCrds
 			rel, err := runInstall(args, client, valueOpts, out)
@@ -196,14 +197,21 @@ func newTemplateCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	addInstallFlags(cmd, f, client, valueOpts)
 	f.StringArrayVarP(&showFiles, "show-only", "s", []string{}, "only show manifests rendered from the given templates")
 	f.StringVar(&client.OutputDir, "output-dir", "", "writes the executed templates to files in output-dir instead of stdout")
-	f.BoolVar(&validate, "validate", false, "validate your manifests against the Kubernetes cluster you are currently pointing at. This is the same validation performed on an install")
+	f.BoolVar(&validate, "validate", false, "deprecated")
+	f.MarkDeprecated("validate", "use '--dry-run=server' instead")
 	f.BoolVar(&includeCrds, "include-crds", false, "include CRDs in the templated output")
 	f.BoolVar(&skipTests, "skip-tests", false, "skip tests from templated output")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.IsUpgrade, "is-upgrade", false, "set .Release.IsUpgrade instead of .Release.IsInstall")
 	f.StringVar(&kubeVersion, "kube-version", "", "Kubernetes version used for Capabilities.KubeVersion")
 	f.StringSliceVarP(&extraAPIs, "api-versions", "a", []string{}, "Kubernetes api versions used for Capabilities.APIVersions (multiple can be specified)")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.UseReleaseName, "release-name", false, "use release name in the output-dir path.")
+	f.String(
+		"dry-run",
+		"client",
+		`simulates the operation either client-side or server-side. Must be either: "client", or "server". '--dry-run=client simulates the operation client-side only and avoids cluster connections. '--dry-run=server' simulates/validates the operation on the server, requiring cluster connectivity.`)
+	f.Lookup("dry-run").NoOptDefVal = "unset"
 	bindPostRenderFlag(cmd, &client.PostRenderer, settings)
+	cmd.MarkFlagsMutuallyExclusive("validate", "dry-run")
 
 	return cmd
 }

pkg/cmd/upgrade.go

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 			}
 			return noMoreArgsComp()
 		},
-		RunE: func(_ *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
+		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
 			client.Namespace = settings.Namespace()
 
 			registryClient, err := newRegistryClient(client.CertFile, client.KeyFile, client.CaFile,
@@ -110,12 +110,12 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 			}
 			client.SetRegistryClient(registryClient)
 
-			// This is for the case where "" is specifically passed in as a
+			dryRunStrategy, err := cmdGetDryRunFlagStrategy(cmd, false)
-			// value. When there is no value passed in NoOptDefVal will be used
+			if err != nil {
-			// and it is set to client. See addInstallFlags.
+				return err
-			if client.DryRunOption == "" {
-				client.DryRunOption = "none"
 			}
+			client.DryRunStrategy = dryRunStrategy
+
 			// Fixes #7002 - Support reading values from STDIN for `upgrade` command
 			// Must load values AFTER determining if we have to call install so that values loaded from stdin are not read twice
 			if client.Install {
@@ -132,8 +132,7 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 					instClient.CreateNamespace = createNamespace
 					instClient.ChartPathOptions = client.ChartPathOptions
 					instClient.ForceReplace = client.ForceReplace
-					instClient.DryRun = client.DryRun
+					instClient.DryRunStrategy = client.DryRunStrategy
-					instClient.DryRunOption = client.DryRunOption
 					instClient.DisableHooks = client.DisableHooks
 					instClient.SkipCRDs = client.SkipCRDs
 					instClient.Timeout = client.Timeout
@@ -183,10 +182,6 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
-			// Validate dry-run flag value is one of the allowed values
-			if err := validateDryRunOptionFlag(client.DryRunOption); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
 
 			p := getter.All(settings)
 			vals, err := valueOpts.MergeValues(p)
@@ -274,9 +269,7 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	f.BoolVar(&createNamespace, "create-namespace", false, "if --install is set, create the release namespace if not present")
 	f.BoolVarP(&client.Install, "install", "i", false, "if a release by this name doesn't already exist, run an install")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.Devel, "devel", false, "use development versions, too. Equivalent to version '>0.0.0-0'. If --version is set, this is ignored")
-	f.StringVar(&client.DryRunOption, "dry-run", "", "simulate an install. If --dry-run is set with no option being specified or as '--dry-run=client', it will not attempt cluster connections. Setting '--dry-run=server' allows attempting cluster connections.")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.HideSecret, "hide-secret", false, "hide Kubernetes Secrets when also using the --dry-run flag")
-	f.Lookup("dry-run").NoOptDefVal = "client"
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force-replace", false, "force resource updates by replacement")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.ForceReplace, "force", false, "deprecated")
 	f.MarkDeprecated("force", "use --force-replace instead")
@@ -303,6 +296,7 @@ func newUpgradeCmd(cfg *action.Configuration, out io.Writer) *cobra.Command {
 	f.BoolVar(&client.DependencyUpdate, "dependency-update", false, "update dependencies if they are missing before installing the chart")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.EnableDNS, "enable-dns", false, "enable DNS lookups when rendering templates")
 	f.BoolVar(&client.TakeOwnership, "take-ownership", false, "if set, upgrade will ignore the check for helm annotations and take ownership of the existing resources")
+	addDryRunFlag(cmd)
 	addChartPathOptionsFlags(f, &client.ChartPathOptions)
 	addValueOptionsFlags(f, valueOpts)
 	bindOutputFlag(cmd, &outfmt)