diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 705168fc..842a32cc 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ NAMESPACE := streamspace
 HELM_RELEASE := streamspace
 KUBE_CONTEXT := $(shell kubectl config current-context)
 
+# Paths
+PROJECT_ROOT := $(shell pwd)
+CHART_PATH := $(PROJECT_ROOT)/chart
+
 # Build configuration
 GO_VERSION := 1.21
 NODE_VERSION := 18
@@ -197,19 +201,22 @@ docker-build-multiarch: ## Build multi-architecture images (amd64, arm64)
 
 helm-lint: ## Lint Helm chart
 	@echo "$(COLOR_GREEN)Linting Helm chart...$(COLOR_RESET)"
-	@helm lint chart/
+	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Chart: $(CHART_PATH)$(COLOR_RESET)"
+	@helm lint $(CHART_PATH)
 	@echo "$(COLOR_GREEN)✓ Helm chart is valid$(COLOR_RESET)"
 
 helm-template: ## Render Helm templates (dry-run)
 	@echo "$(COLOR_GREEN)Rendering Helm templates...$(COLOR_RESET)"
-	@helm template $(HELM_RELEASE) chart/ --namespace $(NAMESPACE)
+	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Chart: $(CHART_PATH)$(COLOR_RESET)"
+	@helm template $(HELM_RELEASE) $(CHART_PATH) --namespace $(NAMESPACE)
 
 helm-install: ## Install StreamSpace using Helm
 	@echo "$(COLOR_GREEN)Installing StreamSpace...$(COLOR_RESET)"
 	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Context: $(KUBE_CONTEXT)$(COLOR_RESET)"
 	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Namespace: $(NAMESPACE)$(COLOR_RESET)"
+	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Chart: $(CHART_PATH)$(COLOR_RESET)"
 	@kubectl create namespace $(NAMESPACE) --dry-run=client -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -
-	@helm install $(HELM_RELEASE) chart/ \
+	@helm install $(HELM_RELEASE) $(CHART_PATH) \
 		--namespace $(NAMESPACE) \
 		--set controller.image.tag=$(VERSION) \
 		--set api.image.tag=$(VERSION) \
@@ -221,7 +228,8 @@ helm-install: ## Install StreamSpace using Helm
 
 helm-upgrade: ## Upgrade StreamSpace Helm release
 	@echo "$(COLOR_GREEN)Upgrading StreamSpace...$(COLOR_RESET)"
-	@helm upgrade $(HELM_RELEASE) chart/ \
+	@echo "$(COLOR_YELLOW)Chart: $(CHART_PATH)$(COLOR_RESET)"
+	@helm upgrade $(HELM_RELEASE) $(CHART_PATH) \
 		--namespace $(NAMESPACE) \
 		--set controller.image.tag=$(VERSION) \
 		--set api.image.tag=$(VERSION) \
diff --git a/chart/.helmignore b/chart/.helmignore
index 399b0840..6b0c1aea 100644
--- a/chart/.helmignore
+++ b/chart/.helmignore
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ Thumbs.db
 # Test and docs
 *.md
 !README.md
-!Chart.yaml
 test/
 tests/
 *.test
diff --git a/scripts/DEPLOYMENT_TROUBLESHOOTING.md b/scripts/DEPLOYMENT_TROUBLESHOOTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44e105d9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/DEPLOYMENT_TROUBLESHOOTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,229 @@
+# Helm Deployment Troubleshooting Guide
+
+## Issue: "Chart.yaml file is missing" Error
+
+If you're encountering the error `Error: INSTALLATION FAILED: Chart.yaml file is missing` when running `./local-deploy.sh`, this guide provides solutions.
+
+## Quick Solution: Use Alternative Deployment Script
+
+We've created an alternative deployment script that packages the chart first, which avoids path resolution issues:
+
+```bash
+./scripts/local-deploy-alt.sh
+```
+
+This script:
+- Packages the Helm chart into a `.tgz` file before installation
+- Eliminates path resolution issues
+- Follows Helm best practices
+- Works consistently across all environments
+
+## Diagnostic Approach: Enhanced Debugging
+
+The main `local-deploy.sh` script now includes comprehensive debugging output:
+
+```bash
+./scripts/local-deploy.sh
+```
+
+This will show:
+1. **Helm version** - Identifies version-specific issues
+2. **Chart path** - Fully resolved absolute path
+3. **Chart.yaml existence** - Verifies file is accessible
+4. **Directory contents** - Lists all chart files
+5. **Helm lint results** - Validates chart structure
+6. **Chart packaging test** - Tests if Helm can package the chart
+7. **Debug output** - Full Helm operation details with `--debug` flag
+
+## Common Causes and Solutions
+
+### 1. Path Resolution Issues
+
+**Symptom:** Chart.yaml exists but Helm can't find it
+
+**Solution:** Use absolute paths (already fixed in latest version)
+
+```bash
+# Now uses fully resolved path
+CHART_PATH="$(cd "${PROJECT_ROOT}/chart" && pwd)"
+```
+
+### 2. Helm Version Compatibility
+
+**Symptom:** Error varies by Helm version
+
+**Solution:** Check your Helm version:
+
+```bash
+helm version
+```
+
+Recommended: Helm 3.8+ for best compatibility
+
+### 3. Chart Structure Issues
+
+**Symptom:** Helm lint fails
+
+**Solution:** Verify chart structure:
+
+```bash
+chart/
+├── Chart.yaml          # Chart metadata
+├── values.yaml         # Default values
+├── templates/          # Kubernetes templates
+│   ├── _helpers.tpl   # Template helpers
+│   └── *.yaml         # Resource templates
+└── crds/              # Custom Resource Definitions
+    └── *.yaml
+```
+
+### 4. Permission Issues
+
+**Symptom:** Can't read chart files
+
+**Solution:** Check file permissions:
+
+```bash
+ls -la chart/
+ls -la chart/Chart.yaml
+```
+
+All files should be readable (r-- permission).
+
+### 5. Working Directory Issues
+
+**Symptom:** Error when running from different directories
+
+**Solution:** Both scripts now handle this correctly. Run from any directory:
+
+```bash
+# From project root
+./scripts/local-deploy.sh
+
+# From scripts directory
+./local-deploy.sh
+```
+
+## Makefile Fixes
+
+If using `make helm-install`, the Makefile now uses absolute paths:
+
+```bash
+make helm-install
+```
+
+The Makefile will display the resolved chart path for debugging.
+
+## Manual Installation Steps
+
+If both scripts fail, try manual installation:
+
+```bash
+# 1. Navigate to project root
+cd /path/to/streamspace
+
+# 2. Create namespace
+kubectl create namespace streamspace
+
+# 3. Apply CRDs manually
+kubectl apply -f chart/crds/
+
+# 4. Package chart
+helm package chart/ -d /tmp
+
+# 5. Install from package
+helm install streamspace /tmp/streamspace-*.tgz \
+  --namespace streamspace \
+  --set controller.image.tag=local \
+  --set controller.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+  --set api.image.tag=local \
+  --set api.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+  --set ui.image.tag=local \
+  --set ui.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+  --wait
+```
+
+## Verification Steps
+
+After deployment, verify the installation:
+
+```bash
+# Check Helm release status
+helm status streamspace -n streamspace
+
+# Check pods
+kubectl get pods -n streamspace
+
+# Check CRDs
+kubectl get crds | grep streamspace
+
+# View Helm release values
+helm get values streamspace -n streamspace
+```
+
+## Debugging Commands
+
+### Check Helm can access the chart
+
+```bash
+helm lint chart/
+helm template streamspace chart/ > /tmp/rendered-templates.yaml
+helm package chart/ -d /tmp
+```
+
+### Check kubectl connectivity
+
+```bash
+kubectl cluster-info
+kubectl get nodes
+kubectl get namespaces
+```
+
+### View Helm debug output
+
+```bash
+helm install streamspace chart/ \
+  --namespace streamspace \
+  --dry-run \
+  --debug
+```
+
+## Getting Help
+
+If you're still experiencing issues:
+
+1. **Capture full output:**
+   ```bash
+   ./scripts/local-deploy.sh 2>&1 | tee deployment-debug.log
+   ```
+
+2. **Check the logs** in `deployment-debug.log` for:
+   - Helm version
+   - Chart path resolution
+   - Lint results
+   - Error messages
+
+3. **Try alternative script:**
+   ```bash
+   ./scripts/local-deploy-alt.sh
+   ```
+
+4. **Report issue** with:
+   - Helm version (`helm version`)
+   - Kubernetes version (`kubectl version`)
+   - OS and architecture
+   - Full debug output
+   - Contents of chart/ directory (`ls -laR chart/`)
+
+## Related Changes
+
+- ✅ Fixed `.helmignore` to remove confusing `!Chart.yaml` line
+- ✅ Updated Makefile to use `CHART_PATH` variable with absolute paths
+- ✅ Enhanced `local-deploy.sh` with comprehensive debugging
+- ✅ Created `local-deploy-alt.sh` as alternative package-based approach
+
+## References
+
+- [Helm Charts Documentation](https://helm.sh/docs/topics/charts/)
+- [Helm Install Command](https://helm.sh/docs/helm/helm_install/)
+- [Debugging Helm Charts](https://helm.sh/docs/chart_template_guide/debugging/)
diff --git a/scripts/local-deploy-alt.sh b/scripts/local-deploy-alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..725a7c48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/local-deploy-alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# local-deploy-alt.sh - Alternative Helm deployment approach
+#
+# This script packages the chart first, then installs from the package.
+# This avoids potential path resolution issues with chart directories.
+#
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Colors for output
+COLOR_RESET='\033[0m'
+COLOR_BOLD='\033[1m'
+COLOR_GREEN='\033[32m'
+COLOR_YELLOW='\033[33m'
+COLOR_BLUE='\033[34m'
+COLOR_RED='\033[31m'
+
+# Project configuration
+PROJECT_ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
+NAMESPACE="${NAMESPACE:-streamspace}"
+RELEASE_NAME="${RELEASE_NAME:-streamspace}"
+VERSION="${VERSION:-local}"
+
+# Helm chart location
+CHART_DIR="${PROJECT_ROOT}/chart"
+PACKAGE_DIR="${PROJECT_ROOT}/.helm-packages"
+
+# Helper functions
+log() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}==>${COLOR_RESET} $*"
+}
+
+log_success() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_GREEN}✓${COLOR_RESET} $*"
+}
+
+log_error() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_RED}✗${COLOR_RESET} $*" >&2
+}
+
+log_info() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BLUE}→${COLOR_RESET} $*"
+}
+
+log_warning() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_YELLOW}⚠${COLOR_RESET} $*"
+}
+
+# Main execution
+main() {
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}  StreamSpace Alternative Deployment${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo ""
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BLUE}Strategy:${COLOR_RESET}      Package-first installation"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BLUE}Namespace:${COLOR_RESET}     ${NAMESPACE}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BLUE}Release:${COLOR_RESET}       ${RELEASE_NAME}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BLUE}Version:${COLOR_RESET}       ${VERSION}"
+    echo ""
+
+    # Create package directory
+    log "Creating package directory..."
+    mkdir -p "${PACKAGE_DIR}"
+    log_success "Package directory ready: ${PACKAGE_DIR}"
+
+    # Package the chart
+    log "Packaging Helm chart..."
+    log_info "Chart directory: ${CHART_DIR}"
+
+    cd "${PROJECT_ROOT}"
+    local package_file=$(helm package "${CHART_DIR}" -d "${PACKAGE_DIR}" --version "${VERSION}" | grep -oE '[^ ]+\.tgz$')
+
+    if [ -z "${package_file}" ] || [ ! -f "${package_file}" ]; then
+        log_error "Failed to package chart"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+
+    log_success "Chart packaged: ${package_file}"
+
+    # Create namespace
+    log "Creating namespace: ${NAMESPACE}"
+    kubectl create namespace "${NAMESPACE}" --dry-run=client -o yaml | kubectl apply -f -
+    log_success "Namespace ready"
+
+    # Apply CRDs manually (Helm doesn't upgrade CRDs automatically)
+    log "Applying CRDs..."
+    kubectl apply -f "${CHART_DIR}/crds/"
+    log_success "CRDs applied"
+
+    # Install or upgrade from package
+    log "Deploying StreamSpace from package..."
+
+    if helm status "${RELEASE_NAME}" -n "${NAMESPACE}" &> /dev/null; then
+        log_info "Release exists, upgrading..."
+        helm upgrade "${RELEASE_NAME}" "${package_file}" \
+            --namespace "${NAMESPACE}" \
+            --set controller.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set controller.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set api.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set api.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set ui.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set ui.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set postgresql.enabled=true \
+            --set postgresql.auth.password=streamspace \
+            --wait \
+            --timeout 5m
+    else
+        log_info "Installing fresh release..."
+        helm install "${RELEASE_NAME}" "${package_file}" \
+            --namespace "${NAMESPACE}" \
+            --create-namespace \
+            --set controller.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set controller.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set api.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set api.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set ui.image.tag="${VERSION}" \
+            --set ui.image.pullPolicy=Never \
+            --set postgresql.enabled=true \
+            --set postgresql.auth.password=streamspace \
+            --wait \
+            --timeout 5m
+    fi
+
+    log_success "Helm deployment complete"
+
+    # Wait for pods
+    log "Waiting for pods to be ready..."
+    sleep 5
+    kubectl wait --for=condition=ready pod \
+        -l app.kubernetes.io/name=streamspace \
+        -n "${NAMESPACE}" \
+        --timeout=300s 2>/dev/null || log_warning "Some pods may still be starting"
+
+    # Show status
+    echo ""
+    log "Deployment Status:"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "Pods:"
+    kubectl get pods -n "${NAMESPACE}"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "Services:"
+    kubectl get svc -n "${NAMESPACE}"
+    echo ""
+
+    # Access instructions
+    echo ""
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}  Access Instructions${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "Port-forward UI:"
+    echo "  kubectl port-forward -n ${NAMESPACE} svc/${RELEASE_NAME}-ui 3000:80"
+    echo "  Then access: http://localhost:3000"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "Port-forward API:"
+    echo "  kubectl port-forward -n ${NAMESPACE} svc/${RELEASE_NAME}-api 8000:8000"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "View logs:"
+    echo "  kubectl logs -n ${NAMESPACE} -l app.kubernetes.io/component=controller -f"
+    echo ""
+    log_info "Cleanup:"
+    echo "  ./scripts/local-teardown.sh"
+    echo ""
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+    log_success "Deployment complete!"
+    echo -e "${COLOR_BOLD}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════${COLOR_RESET}"
+}
+
+# Run main function
+main "$@"
diff --git a/scripts/local-deploy.sh b/scripts/local-deploy.sh
index 833e3ef9..975d442f 100755
--- a/scripts/local-deploy.sh
+++ b/scripts/local-deploy.sh
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ NAMESPACE="${NAMESPACE:-streamspace}"
 RELEASE_NAME="${RELEASE_NAME:-streamspace}"
 VERSION="${VERSION:-local}"
 
-# Helm chart location
-CHART_PATH="${PROJECT_ROOT}/chart"
+# Helm chart location - use absolute path
+CHART_PATH="$(cd "${PROJECT_ROOT}/chart" && pwd)"
 
 # Helper functions
 log() {
@@ -60,6 +60,10 @@ check_prerequisites() {
         exit 1
     fi
 
+    # Check Helm version
+    local helm_version=$(helm version --short 2>/dev/null || echo "unknown")
+    log_info "Helm version: ${helm_version}"
+
     if ! kubectl cluster-info &> /dev/null; then
         log_error "Cannot connect to Kubernetes cluster"
         log_info "Make sure your kubeconfig is properly configured"
@@ -119,6 +123,31 @@ apply_crds() {
 deploy_helm() {
     log "Deploying StreamSpace with Helm..."
 
+    # Debug output
+    log_info "Chart path: ${CHART_PATH}"
+    log_info "Chart.yaml exists: $(test -f "${CHART_PATH}/Chart.yaml" && echo "YES" || echo "NO")"
+    log_info "Chart directory contents:"
+    ls -la "${CHART_PATH}/" 2>&1 | head -10
+
+    # Validate chart with helm lint
+    log_info "Validating chart with helm lint..."
+    if ! helm lint "${CHART_PATH}"; then
+        log_error "Helm chart validation failed!"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    log_success "Chart validation passed"
+
+    # Test if Helm can package the chart
+    log_info "Testing chart packaging..."
+    local temp_dir=$(mktemp -d)
+    if helm package "${CHART_PATH}" -d "${temp_dir}" &> /dev/null; then
+        log_success "Chart packaging test passed"
+        rm -rf "${temp_dir}"
+    else
+        log_warning "Chart packaging test failed (may not be critical)"
+        rm -rf "${temp_dir}"
+    fi
+
     # Check if release exists
     if helm status "${RELEASE_NAME}" -n "${NAMESPACE}" &> /dev/null; then
         log_info "Release exists, upgrading..."
@@ -136,6 +165,7 @@ deploy_helm() {
             --timeout 5m
     else
         log_info "Installing fresh release..."
+        log_info "Running: helm install ${RELEASE_NAME} ${CHART_PATH}"
         helm install "${RELEASE_NAME}" "${CHART_PATH}" \
             --namespace "${NAMESPACE}" \
             --create-namespace \
@@ -147,6 +177,7 @@ deploy_helm() {
             --set ui.image.pullPolicy=Never \
             --set postgresql.enabled=true \
             --set postgresql.auth.password=streamspace \
+            --debug \
             --wait \
             --timeout 5m
     fi