Helm 'Error: INSTALLATION FAILED: cannot re-use a name that is still in use'. How do I fix it safely?

Cause: Helm already has a release record with that name in the target namespace (or the cluster's release storage). It may be a healthy release, a failed first install that left a record behind, or a release kept in history. Helm refuses to install a second release under the same name. Fix (best first): 1. See what exists: helm list -A --all (or helm list -n NAMESPACE --failed --pending). Release records are namespaced, so also check the namespace you meant to use. 2. If the release is meant to be updated, use helm upgrade --install RELEASE CHART -n NAMESPACE, which installs when absent and upgrades when present. This is the usual choice for repeatable CI deployments. 3. If it is a failed first install you no longer want, remove it: helm uninstall RELEASE -n NAMESPACE, then install again. Check helm status RELEASE first so you do not remove something in use. 4. If the release is uninstalled but kept in history (uninstall with --keep-history), the name stays reserved. Install can reuse it with --replace, but Helm's own docs describe that as unsafe in production, so prefer upgrading, or uninstall fully and use a new name. 5. If you simply need a second copy, choose a different release name or let Helm generate one with --generate-name. Verify: helm list -n NAMESPACE shows the release with status deployed, and helm history RELEASE shows the expected revision. Sources: https://helm.sh/docs/helm/helm_install/ https://helm.sh/docs/helm/helm_upgrade/ https://helm.sh/docs/helm/helm_list/