diff --git a/.goreleaser.yml b/.goreleaser.yml
index 83cce6e1..6619ee39 100644
--- a/.goreleaser.yml
+++ b/.goreleaser.yml
@@ -8,5 +8,6 @@ builds:
     goos:
       - darwin
       - linux
+      - windows
     goarch:
       - amd64
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/command.go b/command.go
index 5b00ede3..c5fc3664 100644
--- a/command.go
+++ b/command.go
@@ -33,14 +33,22 @@ func (c command) printFullCommand() {
 // exec executes the executable command and returns the exit code and execution result
 func (c command) exec(debug bool, verbose bool) (int, string) {
 
+	// Only use non-empty string args
+	args := []string{}
+	for _, str := range c.Args {
+		if str != "" {
+			args = append(args, str)
+		}
+	}
+
 	if debug {
 		log.Println("INFO: " + c.Description)
 	}
 	if verbose {
-		log.Println("VERBOSE: " + strings.Join(c.Args[1:], " "))
+		log.Println("VERBOSE: " + c.Cmd + " " + strings.Join(args, " "))
 	}
 
-	cmd := exec.Command(c.Cmd, c.Args...)
+	cmd := exec.Command(c.Cmd, args...)
 	var stdout, stderr bytes.Buffer
 	cmd.Stdout = &stdout
 	cmd.Stderr = &stderr
@@ -50,7 +58,8 @@ func (c command) exec(debug bool, verbose bool) (int, string) {
 	cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(), "HELM_TILLER_SILENT=true")
 
 	if err := cmd.Start(); err != nil {
-		logError("ERROR: cmd.Start: " + err.Error())
+		log.Println("ERROR: cmd.Start: " + err.Error())
+		return 1, err.Error()
 	}
 
 	if err := cmd.Wait(); err != nil {
diff --git a/decision_maker.go b/decision_maker.go
index f7a64634..eb62b7ce 100644
--- a/decision_maker.go
+++ b/decision_maker.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package main
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"regexp"
+	"runtime"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 )
@@ -107,25 +108,28 @@ func decide(r *release, s *state) {
 // operate without a tiller it will return `helm tiller run NAMESPACE -- helm`
 // where NAMESPACE is the namespace that the release is configured to use.
 // If not configured to run without a tiller will just return `helm`.
-func helmCommand(namespace string) string {
+func helmCommand(namespace string) []string {
 	if settings.Tillerless {
-		return "helm tiller run " + namespace + " -- helm"
+		if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+			logError("ERROR: Tillerless Helm plugin is not supported on Windows")
+		}
+		return []string{"tiller", "run", namespace, "--", "helm"}
 	}
 
-	return "helm"
+	return nil
 }
 
 // helmCommandFromConfig calls helmCommand returning the correct way to invoke
 // helm.
-func helmCommandFromConfig(r *release) string {
+func helmCommandFromConfig(r *release) []string {
 	return helmCommand(getDesiredTillerNamespace(r))
 }
 
 // testRelease creates a Helm command to test a particular release.
 func testRelease(r *release) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " test " + r.Name + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"test", r.Name}, getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r)),
 		Description: "running tests for release [ " + r.Name + " ]",
 	}
 	outcome.addCommand(cmd, r.Priority, r)
@@ -136,8 +140,8 @@ func testRelease(r *release) {
 // installRelease creates a Helm command to install a particular release in a particular namespace using a particular Tiller.
 func installRelease(r *release) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " install " + r.Chart + " -n " + r.Name + " --namespace " + r.Namespace + getValuesFiles(r) + " --version " + strconv.Quote(r.Version) + getSetValues(r) + getSetStringValues(r) + getWait(r) + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r) + getHelmFlags(r)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"install", r.Chart, "-n", r.Name, "--namespace", r.Namespace}, getValuesFiles(r), []string{"--version", r.Version}, getSetValues(r), getSetStringValues(r), getWait(r), getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r), getHelmFlags(r)),
 		Description: "installing release [ " + r.Name + " ] in namespace [[ " + r.Namespace + " ]] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 	outcome.addCommand(cmd, r.Priority, r)
@@ -157,8 +161,8 @@ func rollbackRelease(r *release, rs releaseState) {
 	if r.Namespace == rs.Namespace {
 
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " rollback " + r.Name + " " + getReleaseRevision(rs) + getWait(r) + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r) + getTimeout(r) + getNoHooks(r) + getDryRunFlags()},
+			Cmd:         "helm",
+			Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"rollback", r.Name, getReleaseRevision(rs)}, getWait(r), getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r), getTimeout(r), getNoHooks(r), getDryRunFlags()),
 			Description: "rolling back release [ " + r.Name + " ] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 		}
 		outcome.addCommand(cmd, r.Priority, r)
@@ -193,8 +197,8 @@ func deleteRelease(r *release, rs releaseState) {
 	}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " delete " + p + " " + r.Name + getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs) + getTLSFlags(r) + getDryRunFlags()},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"delete", p, r.Name}, getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs), getTLSFlags(r), getDryRunFlags()),
 		Description: "deleting release [ " + r.Name + " ] from namespace [[ " + r.Namespace + " ]] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 	outcome.addCommand(cmd, priority, r)
@@ -257,21 +261,21 @@ func diffRelease(r *release) string {
 	exitCode := 0
 	msg := ""
 	colorFlag := ""
-	diffContextFlag := ""
+	diffContextFlag := []string{}
 	suppressDiffSecretsFlag := ""
 	if noColors {
-		colorFlag = "--no-color "
+		colorFlag = "--no-color"
 	}
 	if diffContext != -1 {
-		diffContextFlag = "--context " + strconv.Itoa(diffContext) + " "
+		diffContextFlag = []string{"--context", strconv.Itoa(diffContext)}
 	}
 	if suppressDiffSecrets {
-		suppressDiffSecretsFlag = "--suppress-secrets "
+		suppressDiffSecretsFlag = "--suppress-secrets"
 	}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " diff " + colorFlag + diffContextFlag + suppressDiffSecretsFlag + "upgrade " + r.Name + " " + r.Chart + getValuesFiles(r) + " --version " + strconv.Quote(r.Version) + " " + getSetValues(r) + getSetStringValues(r) + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"diff", colorFlag}, diffContextFlag, []string{suppressDiffSecretsFlag, "upgrade", r.Name, r.Chart}, getValuesFiles(r), []string{"--version", r.Version}, getSetValues(r), getSetStringValues(r), getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r)),
 		Description: "diffing release [ " + r.Name + " ] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -290,11 +294,11 @@ func diffRelease(r *release) string {
 func upgradeRelease(r *release) {
 	var force string
 	if forceUpgrades {
-		force = " --force "
+		force = "--force"
 	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " upgrade " + r.Name + " " + r.Chart + getValuesFiles(r) + " --version " + strconv.Quote(r.Version) + force + getSetValues(r) + getSetStringValues(r) + getWait(r) + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r) + getHelmFlags(r)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"upgrade", r.Name, r.Chart}, getValuesFiles(r), []string{"--version", r.Version, force}, getSetValues(r), getSetStringValues(r), getWait(r), getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r), getHelmFlags(r)),
 		Description: "upgrading release [ " + r.Name + " ] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -306,15 +310,15 @@ func upgradeRelease(r *release) {
 func reInstallRelease(r *release, rs releaseState) {
 
 	delCmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " delete --purge " + r.Name + getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs) + getTLSFlags(r) + getDryRunFlags()},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"delete", "--purge", r.Name}, getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs), getTLSFlags(r), getDryRunFlags()),
 		Description: "deleting release [ " + r.Name + " ] from namespace [[ " + r.Namespace + " ]] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 	outcome.addCommand(delCmd, r.Priority, r)
 
 	installCmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommandFromConfig(r) + " install " + r.Chart + " --version " + r.Version + " -n " + r.Name + " --namespace " + r.Namespace + getValuesFiles(r) + getSetValues(r) + getSetStringValues(r) + getWait(r) + getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r) + getTLSFlags(r) + getHelmFlags(r)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommandFromConfig(r), []string{"install", r.Chart, "--version", r.Version, "-n", r.Name, "--namespace", r.Namespace}, getValuesFiles(r), getSetValues(r), getSetStringValues(r), getWait(r), getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r), getTLSFlags(r), getHelmFlags(r)),
 		Description: "installing release [ " + r.Name + " ] in namespace [[ " + r.Namespace + " ]] using Tiller in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ]",
 	}
 	outcome.addCommand(installCmd, r.Priority, r)
@@ -343,23 +347,23 @@ func extractChartName(releaseChart string) string {
 var chartNameExtractor = regexp.MustCompile(`[\\/]([^\\/]+)$`)
 
 // getNoHooks returns the no-hooks flag for install/upgrade commands
-func getNoHooks(r *release) string {
+func getNoHooks(r *release) []string {
 	if r.NoHooks {
-		return " --no-hooks "
+		return []string{"--no-hooks"}
 	}
-	return ""
+	return []string{}
 }
 
 // getTimeout returns the timeout flag for install/upgrade commands
-func getTimeout(r *release) string {
+func getTimeout(r *release) []string {
 	if r.Timeout != 0 {
-		return " --timeout " + strconv.Itoa(r.Timeout)
+		return []string{"--timeout", strconv.Itoa(r.Timeout)}
 	}
-	return ""
+	return []string{}
 }
 
 // getValuesFiles return partial install/upgrade release command to substitute the -f flag in Helm.
-func getValuesFiles(r *release) string {
+func getValuesFiles(r *release) []string {
 	var fileList []string
 
 	if r.ValuesFile != "" {
@@ -393,36 +397,37 @@ func getValuesFiles(r *release) string {
 		fileList = append(fileList, r.SecretsFiles...)
 	}
 
-	if len(fileList) > 0 {
-		return " -f " + strings.Join(fileList, " -f ")
+	fileListArgs := []string{}
+	for _, file := range fileList {
+		fileListArgs = append(fileListArgs, "-f", file)
 	}
-	return ""
+	return fileListArgs
 }
 
 // getSetValues returns --set params to be used with helm install/upgrade commands
-func getSetValues(r *release) string {
-	result := ""
+func getSetValues(r *release) []string {
+	result := []string{}
 	for k, v := range r.Set {
-		result = result + " --set " + k + "=\"" + strings.Replace(v, ",", "\\,", -1) + "\""
+		result = append(result, "--set", k+"="+strings.Replace(v, ",", "\\,", -1)+"")
 	}
 	return result
 }
 
 // getSetStringValues returns --set-string params to be used with helm install/upgrade commands
-func getSetStringValues(r *release) string {
-	result := ""
+func getSetStringValues(r *release) []string {
+	result := []string{}
 	for k, v := range r.SetString {
-		result = result + " --set-string " + k + "=\"" + strings.Replace(v, ",", "\\,", -1) + "\""
+		result = append(result, "--set-string", k+"="+strings.Replace(v, ",", "\\,", -1)+"")
 	}
 	return result
 }
 
 // getWait returns a partial helm command containing the helm wait flag (--wait) if the wait flag for the release was set to true
 // Otherwise, retruns an empty string
-func getWait(r *release) string {
-	result := ""
+func getWait(r *release) []string {
+	result := []string{}
 	if r.Wait {
-		result = " --wait"
+		result = append(result, "--wait")
 	}
 	return result
 }
@@ -464,8 +469,8 @@ func isProtected(r *release, rs releaseState) bool {
 }
 
 // getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag returns a tiller-namespace flag with which a release is desired to be maintained
-func getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r *release) string {
-	return " --tiller-namespace " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r)
+func getDesiredTillerNamespaceFlag(r *release) []string {
+	return []string{"--tiller-namespace", getDesiredTillerNamespace(r)}
 }
 
 // getDesiredTillerNamespace returns the Tiller namespace with which a release should be managed
@@ -480,35 +485,35 @@ func getDesiredTillerNamespace(r *release) string {
 }
 
 // getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag returns the tiller-namespace with which a release is currently maintained
-func getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs releaseState) string {
+func getCurrentTillerNamespaceFlag(rs releaseState) []string {
 	if rs.TillerNamespace != "" {
-		return " --tiller-namespace " + rs.TillerNamespace
+		return []string{"--tiller-namespace", rs.TillerNamespace}
 	}
-	return ""
+	return []string{}
 }
 
 // getTLSFlags returns TLS flags with which a release is maintained
 // If the release where the namespace is to be deployed has Tiller deployed, the TLS flags will use certs/keys for that namespace (if any)
 // otherwise, it will be the certs/keys for the kube-system namespace.
-func getTLSFlags(r *release) string {
-	tls := ""
+func getTLSFlags(r *release) []string {
+	tls := []string{}
 	ns := s.Namespaces[r.TillerNamespace]
 	if r.TillerNamespace != "" {
 		if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
 
-			tls = " --tls --tls-ca-cert " + r.TillerNamespace + "-ca.cert --tls-cert " + r.TillerNamespace + "-client.cert --tls-key " + r.TillerNamespace + "-client.key "
+			tls = append(tls, "--tls", "--tls-ca-cert", r.TillerNamespace+"-ca.cert", "--tls-cert", r.TillerNamespace+"-client.cert", "--tls-key", r.TillerNamespace+"-client.key")
 		}
 	} else if s.Namespaces[r.Namespace].InstallTiller {
 		ns := s.Namespaces[r.Namespace]
 		if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
 
-			tls = " --tls --tls-ca-cert " + r.Namespace + "-ca.cert --tls-cert " + r.Namespace + "-client.cert --tls-key " + r.Namespace + "-client.key "
+			tls = append(tls, "--tls", "--tls-ca-cert", r.Namespace+"-ca.cert", "--tls-cert", r.Namespace+"-client.cert", "--tls-key", r.Namespace+"-client.key")
 		}
 	} else {
 		ns := s.Namespaces["kube-system"]
 		if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
 
-			tls = " --tls --tls-ca-cert kube-system-ca.cert --tls-cert kube-system-client.cert --tls-key kube-system-client.key "
+			tls = append(tls, "--tls", "--tls-ca-cert", "kube-system-ca.cert", "--tls-cert", "kube-system-client.cert", "--tls-key", "kube-system-client.key")
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -516,21 +521,21 @@ func getTLSFlags(r *release) string {
 }
 
 // getDryRunFlags returns dry-run flag
-func getDryRunFlags() string {
+func getDryRunFlags() []string {
 	if dryRun {
-		return " --dry-run --debug "
+		return []string{"--dry-run", "--debug"}
 	}
-	return ""
+	return []string{}
 }
 
 // getHelmFlags returns helm flags
-func getHelmFlags(r *release) string {
-	var flags string
+func getHelmFlags(r *release) []string {
+	var flags []string
 
 	for _, flag := range r.HelmFlags {
-		flags = flags + " " + flag
+		flags = append(flags, flag)
 	}
-	return getNoHooks(r) + getTimeout(r) + getDryRunFlags() + flags
+	return concat(getNoHooks(r), getTimeout(r), getDryRunFlags(), flags)
 }
 
 func checkChartDepUpdate(r *release) {
diff --git a/decision_maker_test.go b/decision_maker_test.go
index 08ce6237..05fe6b1e 100644
--- a/decision_maker_test.go
+++ b/decision_maker_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
 	"testing"
 )
 
@@ -11,7 +13,7 @@ func Test_getValuesFiles(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name string
 		args args
-		want string
+		want []string
 	}{
 		{
 			name: "test case 1",
@@ -29,7 +31,7 @@ func Test_getValuesFiles(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				//s: st,
 			},
-			want: " -f test_files/values.yaml",
+			want: []string{"-f", "test_files/values.yaml"},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "test case 2",
@@ -47,7 +49,7 @@ func Test_getValuesFiles(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				//s: st,
 			},
-			want: " -f test_files/values.yaml",
+			want: []string{"-f", "test_files/values.yaml"},
 		},
 		{
 			name: "test case 1",
@@ -65,12 +67,12 @@ func Test_getValuesFiles(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				//s: st,
 			},
-			want: " -f test_files/values.yaml -f test_files/values2.yaml",
+			want: []string{"-f", "test_files/values.yaml", "-f", "test_files/values2.yaml"},
 		},
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			if got := getValuesFiles(tt.args.r); got != tt.want {
+			if got := getValuesFiles(tt.args.r); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
 				t.Errorf("getValuesFiles() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
 			}
 		})
@@ -78,6 +80,8 @@ func Test_getValuesFiles(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func Test_inspectUpgradeScenario(t *testing.T){
+	localChartsPath := os.TempDir() + "/helmsman-tests/local/charts"
+	os.MkdirAll(localChartsPath, os.ModePerm)
 	type args struct {
 		r *release
 		s releaseState
@@ -94,7 +98,7 @@ func Test_inspectUpgradeScenario(t *testing.T){
 					Name:      "release1",
 					Namespace: "namespace",
 					Version: "1.0.0",
-					Chart: "/local/charts",
+					Chart: localChartsPath,
 					Enabled:   true,
 				},
 				s: releaseState{
diff --git a/helm_helpers.go b/helm_helpers.go
index 625c8185..a9f08e40 100644
--- a/helm_helpers.go
+++ b/helm_helpers.go
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ type tillerReleases struct {
 // getHelmClientVersion returns Helm client Version
 func getHelmClientVersion() string {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm version --client --short"},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"version", "--client", "--short"},
 		Description: "checking Helm version ",
 	}
 
@@ -81,9 +81,9 @@ func getAllReleases() tillerReleases {
 func getTillerReleases(tillerNS string) tillerReleases {
 	v1, _ := version.NewVersion(helmVersion)
 	jsonConstraint, _ := version.NewConstraint(">=2.10.0-rc.1")
-	var outputFormat string
+	var outputFormat []string
 	if jsonConstraint.Check(v1) {
-		outputFormat = "--output json"
+		outputFormat = append(outputFormat, "--output", "json")
 	}
 
 	output, err := helmList(tillerNS, outputFormat, "")
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ func parseJSONListAndFollow(input, tillerNS string) (tillerReleases, error) {
 	var releases tillerReleases
 
 	for {
-		output, err := helmList(tillerNS, "--output json", releases.Next)
+		output, err := helmList(tillerNS, []string{"--output", "json"}, releases.Next)
 		if err != nil {
 			return allReleases, err
 		}
@@ -152,13 +152,14 @@ func parseTextList(input string) tillerReleases {
 	return out
 }
 
-func helmList(tillerNS, outputFormat, offset string) (string, error) {
-	arg := fmt.Sprintf("%s list --all --max 0 --offset \"%s\" %s --tiller-namespace %s %s",
-		helmCommand(tillerNS), offset, outputFormat, tillerNS, getNSTLSFlags(tillerNS),
-	)
+func helmList(tillerNS string, outputFormat []string, offset string) (string, error) {
+	args := []string{"list", "--all", "--max", "0"}
+	if offset != "" {
+		args = append(args, "--offset", offset)
+	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", arg},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommand(tillerNS), args, outputFormat, []string{"--tiller-namespace", tillerNS}, getNSTLSFlags(tillerNS)),
 		Description: "listing all existing releases in namespace [ " + tillerNS + " ]...",
 	}
 
@@ -254,12 +255,11 @@ func getReleaseChartVersion(rs releaseState) string {
 }
 
 // getNSTLSFlags returns TLS flags for a given namespace if it's deployed with TLS
-func getNSTLSFlags(namespace string) string {
-	tls := ""
+func getNSTLSFlags(namespace string) []string {
+	tls := []string{}
 	ns := s.Namespaces[namespace]
 	if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
-
-		tls = " --tls --tls-ca-cert " + namespace + "-ca.cert --tls-cert " + namespace + "-client.cert --tls-key " + namespace + "-client.key "
+		tls = append(tls, "--tls", "--tls-ca-cert", namespace+"-ca.cert", "--tls-cert", namespace+"-client.cert", "--tls-key", namespace+"-client.key")
 	}
 	return tls
 }
@@ -280,8 +280,8 @@ func validateReleaseCharts(apps map[string]*release) (bool, string) {
 		if validateCurrentChart {
 			if isLocalChart(r.Chart) {
 				cmd := command{
-					Cmd:         "bash",
-					Args:        []string{"-c", "helm inspect chart '" + r.Chart + "'"},
+					Cmd:         "helm",
+					Args:        []string{"inspect", "chart", r.Chart},
 					Description: "validating if chart at " + r.Chart + " is available.",
 				}
 
@@ -302,8 +302,8 @@ func validateReleaseCharts(apps map[string]*release) (bool, string) {
 
 			} else {
 				cmd := command{
-					Cmd:         "bash",
-					Args:        []string{"-c", "helm search " + r.Chart + " --version " + strconv.Quote(r.Version) + " -l"},
+					Cmd:         "helm",
+					Args:        []string{"search", r.Chart, "--version", r.Version, "-l"},
 					Description: "validating if chart " + r.Chart + "-" + r.Version + " is available in the defined repos.",
 				}
 
@@ -325,8 +325,8 @@ func getChartVersion(r *release) (string, string) {
 		return r.Version, ""
 	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm search " + r.Chart + " --version " + strconv.Quote(r.Version)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"search", r.Chart, "--version", r.Version},
 		Description: "getting latest chart version " + r.Chart + "-" + r.Version + "",
 	}
 
@@ -352,8 +352,8 @@ func waitForTiller(namespace string) {
 	attempt := 0
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm list --tiller-namespace " + namespace + getNSTLSFlags(namespace)},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat([]string{"list", "--tiller-namespace", namespace}, getNSTLSFlags(namespace)),
 		Description: "checking if helm Tiller is ready in namespace [ " + namespace + " ].",
 	}
 
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ func waitForTiller(namespace string) {
 func addHelmRepos(repos map[string]string) (bool, string) {
 
 	for repoName, repoLink := range repos {
-		basicAuth := ""
+		basicAuthArgs := []string{}
 		// check if repo is in GCS, then perform GCS auth -- needed for private GCS helm repos
 		// failed auth would not throw an error here, as it is possible that the repo is public and does not need authentication
 		if strings.HasPrefix(repoLink, "gs://") {
@@ -395,13 +395,13 @@ func addHelmRepos(repos map[string]string) (bool, string) {
 			if !ok {
 				logError("ERROR: helm repo " + repoName + " has incomplete basic auth info. Missing the password!")
 			}
-			basicAuth = " --username " + u.User.Username() + " --password " + p
+			basicAuthArgs = append(basicAuthArgs, "--username", u.User.Username(), "--password", p)
 
 		}
 
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", "helm repo add " + basicAuth + " " + repoName + " " + strconv.Quote(repoLink)},
+			Cmd:         "helm",
+			Args:        concat([]string{"repo", "add", repoName, repoLink}, basicAuthArgs),
 			Description: "adding repo " + repoName,
 		}
 
@@ -412,8 +412,8 @@ func addHelmRepos(repos map[string]string) (bool, string) {
 	}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm repo update "},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"repo", "update"},
 		Description: "updating helm repos",
 	}
 
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ func addHelmRepos(repos map[string]string) (bool, string) {
 // If no namespace is provided, Tiller is deployed to kube-system
 func deployTiller(namespace string, serviceAccount string, defaultServiceAccount string, role string, roleTemplateFile string, tillerMaxHistory int) (bool, string) {
 	log.Println("INFO: deploying Tiller in namespace [ " + namespace + " ].")
-	sa := ""
+	sa := []string{}
 	if serviceAccount != "" {
 		if ok, err := validateServiceAccount(serviceAccount, namespace); !ok {
 			if strings.Contains(err, "NotFound") || strings.Contains(err, "not found") {
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ func deployTiller(namespace string, serviceAccount string, defaultServiceAccount
 				return false, "ERROR: while validating/creating service account [ " + serviceAccount + " ] in namespace [" + namespace + "]: " + err
 			}
 		}
-		sa = "--service-account " + serviceAccount
+		sa = []string{"--service-account", serviceAccount}
 	} else {
 		roleName := "helmsman-tiller"
 		defaultServiceAccountName := "helmsman"
@@ -466,34 +466,34 @@ func deployTiller(namespace string, serviceAccount string, defaultServiceAccount
 				return false, "ERROR: while validating/creating service account [ " + defaultServiceAccountName + " ] in namespace [" + namespace + "]: " + err
 			}
 		}
-		sa = " --service-account " + defaultServiceAccountName
+		sa = []string{"--service-account", defaultServiceAccountName}
 	}
 	if namespace == "" {
 		namespace = "kube-system"
 	}
-	tillerNameSpace := " --tiller-namespace " + namespace
+	tillerNameSpace := []string{"--tiller-namespace", namespace}
 
-	maxHistory := ""
+	maxHistory := []string{}
 	if tillerMaxHistory > 0 {
-		maxHistory = " --history-max " + strconv.Itoa(tillerMaxHistory)
+		maxHistory = []string{"--history-max", strconv.Itoa(tillerMaxHistory)}
 	}
-	tls := ""
+	tls := []string{}
 	ns := s.Namespaces[namespace]
 	if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
 		tillerCert := namespace + "-tiller.cert"
 		tillerKey := namespace + "-tiller.key"
 		caCert := namespace + "-ca.cert"
 
-		tls = " --tiller-tls --tiller-tls-cert " + tillerCert + " --tiller-tls-key " + tillerKey + " --tiller-tls-verify --tls-ca-cert " + caCert
+		tls = []string{"--tiller-tls", "--tiller-tls-cert", tillerCert, "--tiller-tls-key", tillerKey, "--tiller-tls-verify", "--tls-ca-cert", caCert}
 	}
 
-	storageBackend := ""
+	storageBackend := []string{}
 	if s.Settings.StorageBackend == "secret" {
-		storageBackend = " --override 'spec.template.spec.containers[0].command'='{/tiller,--storage=secret}'"
+		storageBackend = []string{"--override", "'spec.template.spec.containers[0].command'='{/tiller,--storage=secret}'"}
 	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm init --force-upgrade " + maxHistory + sa + tillerNameSpace + tls + storageBackend},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat([]string{"init", "--force-upgrade"}, maxHistory, sa, tillerNameSpace, tls, storageBackend),
 		Description: "initializing helm on the current context and upgrading Tiller on namespace [ " + namespace + " ].",
 	}
 
@@ -506,8 +506,8 @@ func deployTiller(namespace string, serviceAccount string, defaultServiceAccount
 // initHelmClientOnly initializes the helm client only (without deploying Tiller)
 func initHelmClientOnly() (bool, string) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm init --client-only "},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"init", "--client-only"},
 		Description: "initializing helm on the client only.",
 	}
 
@@ -602,15 +602,15 @@ func cleanUntrackedReleases() {
 // deleteUntrackedRelease creates the helm command to purge delete an untracked release
 func deleteUntrackedRelease(release string, tillerNamespace string) {
 
-	tls := ""
+	tls := []string{}
 	ns := s.Namespaces[tillerNamespace]
 	if tillerTLSEnabled(ns) {
 
-		tls = " --tls --tls-ca-cert " + tillerNamespace + "-ca.cert --tls-cert " + tillerNamespace + "-client.cert --tls-key " + tillerNamespace + "-client.key "
+		tls = []string{"--tls", "--tls-ca-cert", tillerNamespace + "-ca.cert", "--tls-cert", tillerNamespace + "-client.cert", "--tls-key", tillerNamespace + "-client.key"}
 	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", helmCommand(tillerNamespace) + " delete --purge " + release + " --tiller-namespace " + tillerNamespace + tls + getDryRunFlags()},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        concat(helmCommand(tillerNamespace), []string{"delete", "--purge", release, "--tiller-namespace", tillerNamespace}, tls, getDryRunFlags()),
 		Description: "deleting untracked release [ " + release + " ] from Tiller in namespace [[ " + tillerNamespace + " ]]",
 	}
 
@@ -620,8 +620,8 @@ func deleteUntrackedRelease(release string, tillerNamespace string) {
 // decrypt a helm secret file
 func decryptSecret(name string) bool {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm secrets dec " + name},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"secrets", "dec", name},
 		Description: "Decrypting " + name,
 	}
 
@@ -637,8 +637,8 @@ func decryptSecret(name string) bool {
 // updateChartDep updates dependencies for a local chart
 func updateChartDep(chartPath string) (bool, string) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm dependency update " + chartPath},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"dependency", "update", chartPath},
 		Description: "Updateing dependency for local chart " + chartPath,
 	}
 
diff --git a/helm_helpers_test.go b/helm_helpers_test.go
index 57f0c243..eac9bd0c 100644
--- a/helm_helpers_test.go
+++ b/helm_helpers_test.go
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@ import (
 
 func setupTestCase(t *testing.T) func(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Log("setup test case")
-	os.MkdirAll("/tmp/helmsman-tests/myapp", os.ModePerm)
-	os.MkdirAll("/tmp/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp", os.ModePerm)
+	os.MkdirAll(os.TempDir()+"/helmsman-tests/myapp", os.ModePerm)
+	os.MkdirAll(os.TempDir()+"/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp", os.ModePerm)
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm create  '/tmp/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp'"},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"create", os.TempDir() + "/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp"},
 		Description: "creating an empty local chart directory",
 	}
 	if exitCode, msg := cmd.exec(debug, verbose); exitCode != 0 {
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 		apps map[string]*release
 	}
 	tests := []struct {
-		name string
+		name       string
 		targetFlag []string
-		args args
-		want bool
+		args       args
+		want       bool
 	}{
 		{
-			name: "test case 1: valid local path with no chart",
+			name:       "test case 1: valid local path with no chart",
 			targetFlag: []string{},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Description:     "",
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
-						Chart:           "/tmp/helmsman-tests/myapp",
+						Chart:           os.TempDir() + "/helmsman-tests/myapp",
 						Version:         "",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: false,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 2: invalid local path",
+			name:       "test case 2: invalid local path",
 			targetFlag: []string{},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Description:     "",
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
-						Chart:           "/tmp/does-not-exist/myapp",
+						Chart:           os.TempDir() + "/does-not-exist/myapp",
 						Version:         "",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: false,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 3: valid chart local path with whitespace",
+			name:       "test case 3: valid chart local path with whitespace",
 			targetFlag: []string{},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Description:     "",
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
-						Chart:           "/tmp/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp",
+						Chart:           os.TempDir() + "/helmsman-tests/dir-with space/myapp",
 						Version:         "0.1.0",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: true,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 4: valid chart from repo",
+			name:       "test case 4: valid chart from repo",
 			targetFlag: []string{},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
 						Chart:           "stable/prometheus",
-						Version:         "",
+						Version:         "*",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
 						SecretsFile:     "",
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: true,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 5: invalid local path for chart ignored with -target flag, while other app was targeted",
+			name:       "test case 5: invalid local path for chart ignored with -target flag, while other app was targeted",
 			targetFlag: []string{"notThisOne"},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Description:     "",
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
-						Chart:           "/tmp/does-not-exist/myapp",
+						Chart:           os.TempDir() + "/does-not-exist/myapp",
 						Version:         "",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: true,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 6: invalid local path for chart included with -target flag",
+			name:       "test case 6: invalid local path for chart included with -target flag",
 			targetFlag: []string{"app"},
 			args: args{
 				apps: map[string]*release{
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 						Description:     "",
 						Namespace:       "",
 						Enabled:         true,
-						Chart:           "/tmp/does-not-exist/myapp",
+						Chart:           os.TempDir() + "/does-not-exist/myapp",
 						Version:         "",
 						ValuesFile:      "",
 						ValuesFiles:     []string{},
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ func Test_validateReleaseCharts(t *testing.T) {
 				targetMap[target] = true
 			}
 			if got, msg := validateReleaseCharts(tt.args.apps); got != tt.want {
-				t.Errorf("getReleaseChartName() = %v, want %v , msg: %v", got, tt.want, msg)
+				t.Errorf("validateReleaseCharts() = %v, want %v , msg: %v", got, tt.want, msg)
 			}
 		})
 	}
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ func Test_getReleaseChartVersion(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Log(tt.want)
 			if got := getReleaseChartVersion(tt.args.r); got != tt.want {
-				t.Errorf("getReleaseChartName() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
+				t.Errorf("getReleaseChartVersion() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
 			}
 		})
 	}
@@ -343,7 +343,8 @@ func Test_getReleaseChartVersion(t *testing.T) {
 
 func Test_getChartVersion(t *testing.T) {
 	// version string = the first semver-valid string after the last hypen in the chart string.
-
+	localChartsPath := os.TempDir() + "/helmsman-tests/local/charts"
+	os.MkdirAll(localChartsPath, os.ModePerm)
 	type args struct {
 		r *release
 	}
@@ -359,7 +360,7 @@ func Test_getChartVersion(t *testing.T) {
 					Name:      "release1",
 					Namespace: "namespace",
 					Version: "1.0.0",
-					Chart: "/local/charts",
+					Chart: localChartsPath,
 					Enabled:   true,
 				},
 			},
diff --git a/init.go b/init.go
index d5e95916..fa21236f 100644
--- a/init.go
+++ b/init.go
@@ -211,8 +211,8 @@ func init() {
 // It takes as input the tool's command to check if it is recognizable or not. e.g. helm or kubectl
 func toolExists(tool string) bool {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", tool},
+		Cmd:         tool,
+		Args:        []string{},
 		Description: "validating that " + tool + " is installed.",
 	}
 
@@ -229,8 +229,8 @@ func toolExists(tool string) bool {
 // It takes as input the plugin's name to check if it is recognizable or not. e.g. diff
 func helmPluginExists(plugin string) bool {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "helm plugin list"},
+		Cmd:         "helm",
+		Args:        []string{"plugin", "list"},
 		Description: "validating that " + plugin + " is installed.",
 	}
 
diff --git a/init_test.go b/init_test.go
index c27815ce..35028b1d 100644
--- a/init_test.go
+++ b/init_test.go
@@ -24,9 +24,9 @@ func Test_toolExists(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			want: true,
 		}, {
-			name: "test case 3 -- checking ipconfig exists.",
+			name: "test case 3 -- checking nonExistingTool exists.",
 			args: args{
-				tool: "ipconfig",
+				tool: "nonExistingTool",
 			},
 			want: false,
 		},
diff --git a/kube_helpers.go b/kube_helpers.go
index d81902b8..b78c92cd 100644
--- a/kube_helpers.go
+++ b/kube_helpers.go
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ func validateServiceAccount(sa string, namespace string) (bool, string) {
 	if namespace == "" {
 		namespace = "default"
 	}
-	ns := " -n " + namespace
+	ns := []string{"-n", namespace}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl get serviceaccount " + sa + ns},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        append([]string{"get", "serviceaccount", sa}, ns...),
 		Description: "validating if serviceaccount [ " + sa + " ] exists in namespace [ " + namespace + " ].",
 	}
 
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ func overrideAppsNamespace(newNs string) {
 // createNamespace creates a namespace in the k8s cluster
 func createNamespace(ns string) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl create namespace " + ns},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"create", "namespace", ns},
 		Description: "creating namespace  " + ns,
 	}
 
@@ -103,8 +103,8 @@ func createNamespace(ns string) {
 func labelNamespace(ns string, labels map[string]string) {
 	for k, v := range labels {
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl label --overwrite namespace/" + ns + " " + k + "=" + v},
+			Cmd:         "kubectl",
+			Args:        []string{"label", "--overwrite", "namespace/" + ns, k + "=" + v},
 			Description: "labeling namespace  " + ns,
 		}
 
@@ -119,8 +119,8 @@ func labelNamespace(ns string, labels map[string]string) {
 func annotateNamespace(ns string, labels map[string]string) {
 	for k, v := range labels {
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl annotate --overwrite namespace/" + ns + " " + k + "=" + v},
+			Cmd:         "kubectl",
+			Args:        []string{"annotate", "--overwrite", "namespace/" + ns, k + "=" + v},
 			Description: "annotating namespace  " + ns,
 		}
 
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ spec:
 	}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl apply -f temp-LimitRange.yaml -n " + ns},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"apply", "-f", "temp-LimitRange.yaml", "-n", ns},
 		Description: "creating LimitRange in namespace [ " + ns + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -230,23 +230,23 @@ func createContext() (bool, string) {
 	}
 
 	// connecting to the cluster
-	setCredentialsCmd := ""
+	setCredentialsCmdArgs := []string{}
 	if s.Settings.BearerToken {
 		token := readFile(tokenPath)
 		if s.Settings.Username == "" {
 			s.Settings.Username = "helmsman"
 		}
-		setCredentialsCmd = "kubectl config set-credentials " + s.Settings.Username + " --token=" + token
+		setCredentialsCmdArgs = append(setCredentialsCmdArgs, "config", "set-credentials", s.Settings.Username, "--token="+token)
 	} else {
-		setCredentialsCmd = "kubectl config set-credentials " + s.Settings.Username + " --username=" + s.Settings.Username +
-			" --password=" + s.Settings.Password + " --client-key=" + caKey
+		setCredentialsCmdArgs = append(setCredentialsCmdArgs, "config", "set-credentials", s.Settings.Username, "--username="+s.Settings.Username,
+			"--password="+s.Settings.Password, "--client-key="+caKey)
 		if caClient != "" {
-			setCredentialsCmd = setCredentialsCmd + " --client-certificate=" + caClient
+			setCredentialsCmdArgs = append(setCredentialsCmdArgs, "--client-certificate="+caClient)
 		}
 	}
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", setCredentialsCmd},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        setCredentialsCmdArgs,
 		Description: "creating kubectl context - setting credentials.",
 	}
 
@@ -255,9 +255,8 @@ func createContext() (bool, string) {
 	}
 
 	cmd = command{
-		Cmd: "bash",
-		Args: []string{"-c", "kubectl config set-cluster " + s.Settings.KubeContext + " --server=" + s.Settings.ClusterURI +
-			" --certificate-authority=" + caCrt},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"config", "set-cluster", s.Settings.KubeContext, "--server=" + s.Settings.ClusterURI, "--certificate-authority=" + caCrt},
 		Description: "creating kubectl context - setting cluster.",
 	}
 
@@ -266,9 +265,8 @@ func createContext() (bool, string) {
 	}
 
 	cmd = command{
-		Cmd: "bash",
-		Args: []string{"-c", "kubectl config set-context " + s.Settings.KubeContext + " --cluster=" + s.Settings.KubeContext +
-			" --user=" + s.Settings.Username},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"config", "set-context", s.Settings.KubeContext, "--cluster=" + s.Settings.KubeContext, "--user=" + s.Settings.Username},
 		Description: "creating kubectl context - setting context.",
 	}
 
@@ -291,8 +289,8 @@ func setKubeContext(context string) bool {
 	}
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl config use-context " + context},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"config", "use-context", context},
 		Description: "setting kubectl context to [ " + context + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -310,8 +308,8 @@ func setKubeContext(context string) bool {
 // It returns false if no context is set.
 func getKubeContext() bool {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl config current-context"},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"config", "current-context"},
 		Description: "getting kubectl context",
 	}
 
@@ -328,8 +326,8 @@ func getKubeContext() bool {
 // createServiceAccount creates a service account in a given namespace and associates it with a cluster-admin role
 func createServiceAccount(saName string, namespace string) (bool, string) {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl create serviceaccount -n " + namespace + " " + saName},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"create", "serviceaccount", "-n", namespace, saName},
 		Description: "creating service account [ " + saName + " ] in namespace [ " + namespace + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -362,8 +360,8 @@ func createRoleBinding(role string, saName string, namespace string) (bool, stri
 
 	log.Println("INFO: creating " + resource + " for service account [ " + saName + " ] in namespace [ " + namespace + " ] with role: " + role + ".")
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl create " + resource + " " + bindingName + " " + bindingOption + " --serviceaccount " + namespace + ":" + saName + " -n " + namespace},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"create", resource, bindingName, bindingOption, "--serviceaccount", namespace + ":" + saName, "-n", namespace},
 		Description: "creating " + resource + " for service account [ " + saName + " ] in namespace [ " + namespace + " ] with role: " + role,
 	}
 
@@ -394,8 +392,8 @@ func createRole(namespace string, role string, roleTemplateFile string) (bool, s
 	replaceStringInFile(resource, "temp-modified-role.yaml", map[string]string{"<<namespace>>": namespace, "<<role-name>>": role})
 
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl apply -f temp-modified-role.yaml "},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"apply", "-f", "temp-modified-role.yaml"},
 		Description: "creating role [" + role + "] in namespace [ " + namespace + " ]",
 	}
 
@@ -421,8 +419,8 @@ func labelResource(r *release) {
 		}
 
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl label " + storageBackend + " -n " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " -l NAME=" + r.Name + " MANAGED-BY=HELMSMAN NAMESPACE=" + r.Namespace + " TILLER_NAMESPACE=" + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + "  --overwrite"},
+			Cmd:         "kubectl",
+			Args:        []string{"label", storageBackend, "-n", getDesiredTillerNamespace(r), "-l", "NAME=" + r.Name, "MANAGED-BY=HELMSMAN", "NAMESPACE=" + r.Namespace, "TILLER_NAMESPACE=" + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r), "--overwrite"},
 			Description: "applying labels to Helm state in [ " + getDesiredTillerNamespace(r) + " ] for " + r.Name,
 		}
 
@@ -461,8 +459,8 @@ func getHelmsmanReleases() map[string]map[string]bool {
 
 	for _, ns := range namespaces {
 		cmd := command{
-			Cmd:         "bash",
-			Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl get " + storageBackend + " -n " + ns + " -l MANAGED-BY=HELMSMAN"},
+			Cmd:         "kubectl",
+			Args:        []string{"get", storageBackend, "-n", ns, "-l", "MANAGED-BY=HELMSMAN"},
 			Description: "getting helm releases which are managed by Helmsman in namespace [[ " + ns + " ]].",
 		}
 
@@ -494,8 +492,8 @@ func getHelmsmanReleases() map[string]map[string]bool {
 // getKubectlClientVersion returns kubectl client version
 func getKubectlClientVersion() string {
 	cmd := command{
-		Cmd:         "bash",
-		Args:        []string{"-c", "kubectl version --client --short"},
+		Cmd:         "kubectl",
+		Args:        []string{"version", "--client", "--short"},
 		Description: "checking kubectl version ",
 	}
 
diff --git a/release.go b/release.go
index 83805afe..1a8ade0a 100644
--- a/release.go
+++ b/release.go
@@ -64,14 +64,15 @@ func validateRelease(appLabel string, r *release, names map[string]map[string]bo
 		return false, "release " + r.Name + " is using namespace [ " + r.Namespace + " ] which is not defined in the Namespaces section of your desired state file." +
 			" Release [ " + r.Name + " ] can't be installed in that Namespace until its defined."
 	}
-	if r.Chart == "" || !strings.ContainsAny(r.Chart, "/") {
+	_, err := os.Stat(r.Chart)
+	if r.Chart == "" || os.IsNotExist(err) && !strings.ContainsAny(r.Chart, "/") {
 		return false, "chart can't be empty and must be of the format: repo/chart."
 	}
 	if r.Version == "" {
 		return false, "version can't be empty."
 	}
 
-	_, err := os.Stat(r.ValuesFile)
+	_, err = os.Stat(r.ValuesFile)
 	if r.ValuesFile != "" && (!isOfType(r.ValuesFile, []string{".yaml", ".yml", ".json"}) || err != nil) {
 		return false, fmt.Sprintf("valuesFile must be a valid relative (from dsf file) file path for a yaml file, or can be left empty (provided path resolved to %q).", r.ValuesFile)
 	} else if r.ValuesFile != "" && len(r.ValuesFiles) > 0 {
diff --git a/utils.go b/utils.go
index fb89d823..3a30acad 100644
--- a/utils.go
+++ b/utils.go
@@ -519,3 +519,12 @@ func Indent(s, prefix string) string {
 func isLocalChart(chart string) bool {
 	return filepath.IsAbs(chart)
 }
+
+// concat appends all slices to a single slice
+func concat(slices ...[]string) []string {
+	slice := []string{}
+	for _, item := range slices {
+		slice = append(slice, item...)
+	}
+	return slice
+}