diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index d623135..50980ca 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,25 +1,20 @@
-.venv
 dist/*
-.cache/*
-chart/*
-*.yaml
-*.yml
-!.markdownlint.yaml
-!generator/*.yaml
-doc/venv/*
-!doc/mkdocs.yaml
-!.readthedocs.yaml
-./katenary
 *.env
-docker-compose*
-!examples/**/docker-compose*
 .credentials
 release.id
-configs/
 cover*
 .sq
-./katenary
 .aider*
 .python_history
 .bash_history
-katenary
+
+.cache/
+.aider/
+.config/
+*/venv
+
+# local binary
+./katenary
+
+# will be treated later
+/examples/*
diff --git a/.markdownlint.yaml b/.markdownlint.yaml
index 62408cb..403c2a3 100644
--- a/.markdownlint.yaml
+++ b/.markdownlint.yaml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 default: true
 
 MD013: # Line length
-  line_length: 240
+  line_length: 120
 
 MD010: # Hard tabs
   code_blocks: false
@@ -16,3 +16,6 @@ MD041: false
 # list indentation
 MD007:
   indent: 4
+
+# no problem using several code blocks styles
+MD046: false
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index e018e93..861dffe 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -169,6 +169,9 @@ tests: test
 test:
 	@echo -e "\033[1;33mTesting katenary $(VERSION)...\033[0m"
 	go test -coverprofile=cover.out ./...
+	$(MAKE) cover
+
+cover:
 	go tool cover -func=cover.out | grep "total:"
 	go tool cover -html=cover.out -o cover.html
 	if [ "$(BROWSER)" = "xdg-open" ]; then
diff --git a/cmd/katenary/main.go b/cmd/katenary/main.go
index 1b67ca0..f6da974 100644
--- a/cmd/katenary/main.go
+++ b/cmd/katenary/main.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ package main
 import (
 	"fmt"
 	"katenary/generator"
+	"katenary/generator/katenaryfile"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"os"
 	"strings"
@@ -43,6 +45,7 @@ func buildRootCmd() *cobra.Command {
 		generateConvertCommand(),
 		generateHashComposefilesCommand(),
 		generateLabelHelpCommand(),
+		generateSchemaCommand(),
 	)
 
 	return rootCmd
@@ -245,31 +248,31 @@ func generateLabelHelpCommand() *cobra.Command {
 If no label is specified, the help for all labels is printed.
 If a label is specified, the help for this label is printed.
 
-The name of the label must be specified without the prefix ` + generator.Prefix() + `.
+The name of the label must be specified without the prefix ` + labels.Prefix() + `.
 
 e.g. 
   kanetary help-labels
   katenary help-labels ingress
   katenary help-labels map-env
 `,
-		ValidArgs: generator.GetLabelNames(),
+		ValidArgs: labels.GetLabelNames(),
 		Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
 			if len(args) > 0 {
-				fmt.Println(generator.GetLabelHelpFor(args[0], markdown))
+				fmt.Println(labels.GetLabelHelpFor(args[0], markdown))
 				return
 			}
 			if all {
 				// show the help for all labels
-				l := len(generator.GetLabelNames())
-				for i, label := range generator.GetLabelNames() {
-					fmt.Println(generator.GetLabelHelpFor(label, markdown))
+				l := len(labels.GetLabelNames())
+				for i, label := range labels.GetLabelNames() {
+					fmt.Println(labels.GetLabelHelpFor(label, markdown))
 					if !markdown && i < l-1 {
 						fmt.Println(strings.Repeat("-", 80))
 					}
 				}
 				return
 			}
-			fmt.Println(generator.GetLabelHelp(markdown))
+			fmt.Println(labels.GetLabelHelp(markdown))
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -298,3 +301,15 @@ If no composefile is specified, the hash of all composefiles is printed.`,
 	}
 	return cmd
 }
+
+func generateSchemaCommand() *cobra.Command {
+	cmd := &cobra.Command{
+		Use:   "schema",
+		Short: "Print the schema of the katenary file",
+		Long:  "Generate a schama for katenary.yaml file that can be used to validate the file or to use with yaml LSP to complete and check your configuration.",
+		Run: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) {
+			fmt.Println(katenaryfile.GenerateSchema())
+		},
+	}
+	return cmd
+}
diff --git a/cmd/katenary/main_test.go b/cmd/katenary/main_test.go
index 1b0f947..eb530ac 100644
--- a/cmd/katenary/main_test.go
+++ b/cmd/katenary/main_test.go
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ func TestBuildCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	if rootCmd.Use != "katenary" {
 		t.Errorf("Expected rootCmd.Use to be katenary, got %s", rootCmd.Use)
 	}
-	numCommands := 5
+	numCommands := 6
 	if len(rootCmd.Commands()) != numCommands {
 		t.Errorf("Expected %d command, got %d", numCommands, len(rootCmd.Commands()))
 	}
diff --git a/generator/chart.go b/generator/chart.go
index da5fa7d..6795f45 100644
--- a/generator/chart.go
+++ b/generator/chart.go
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"os"
@@ -136,7 +137,7 @@ func (chart *HelmChart) generateConfigMapsAndSecrets(project *types.Project) err
 			originalEnv[k] = v
 		}
 
-		if v, ok := s.Labels[LabelSecrets]; ok {
+		if v, ok := s.Labels[labels.LabelSecrets]; ok {
 			list, err := labelStructs.SecretsFrom(v)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal("error unmarshaling secrets label:", err)
@@ -210,7 +211,8 @@ func (chart *HelmChart) generateDeployment(service types.ServiceConfig, deployme
 
 	// get the same-pod label if exists, add it to the list.
 	// We later will copy some parts to the target deployment and remove this one.
-	if samePod, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; ok && samePod != "" {
+	if samePod, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; ok && samePod != "" {
+		log.Printf("Found same-pod label for %s", service.Name)
 		podToMerge[samePod] = &service
 	}
 
@@ -247,7 +249,7 @@ func (chart *HelmChart) setChartVersion(service types.ServiceConfig) {
 
 // setCronJob creates a cronjob from the service labels.
 func (chart *HelmChart) setCronJob(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) *CronJob {
-	if _, ok := service.Labels[LabelCronJob]; !ok {
+	if _, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelCronJob]; !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
 	cronjob, rbac := NewCronJob(service, chart, appName)
@@ -281,7 +283,7 @@ func (chart *HelmChart) setCronJob(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string)
 // setDependencies sets the dependencies from the service labels.
 func (chart *HelmChart) setDependencies(service types.ServiceConfig) (bool, error) {
 	// helm dependency
-	if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelDependencies]; ok {
+	if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelDependencies]; ok {
 		d, err := labelStructs.DependenciesFrom(v)
 		if err != nil {
 			return false, err
@@ -307,10 +309,10 @@ func (chart *HelmChart) setDependencies(service types.ServiceConfig) (bool, erro
 func (chart *HelmChart) setSharedConf(service types.ServiceConfig, deployments map[string]*Deployment) {
 	// if the service has the "shared-conf" label, we need to add the configmap
 	// to the chart and add the env vars to the service
-	if _, ok := service.Labels[LabelEnvFrom]; !ok {
+	if _, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelEnvFrom]; !ok {
 		return
 	}
-	fromservices, err := labelStructs.EnvFromFrom(service.Labels[LabelEnvFrom])
+	fromservices, err := labelStructs.EnvFromFrom(service.Labels[labels.LabelEnvFrom])
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal("error unmarshaling env-from label:", err)
 	}
diff --git a/generator/configMap.go b/generator/configMap.go
index f037b3a..6bbbd4f 100644
--- a/generator/configMap.go
+++ b/generator/configMap.go
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package generator
 
 import (
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"os"
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ func NewConfigMap(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string, forFile bool) *Co
 	}
 
 	// get the secrets from the labels
-	secrets, err := labelStructs.SecretsFrom(service.Labels[LabelSecrets])
+	secrets, err := labelStructs.SecretsFrom(service.Labels[labels.LabelSecrets])
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
@@ -82,7 +83,7 @@ func NewConfigMap(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string, forFile bool) *Co
 		drop[secret] = true
 	}
 	// get the label values from the labels
-	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, LabelValues)
+	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, labels.LabelValues)
 	for value := range varDescriptons {
 		labelValues = append(labelValues, value)
 	}
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ func NewConfigMap(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string, forFile bool) *Co
 	if !forFile {
 		// do not bind env variables to the configmap
 		// remove the variables that are already defined in the environment
-		if l, ok := service.Labels[LabelMapEnv]; ok {
+		if l, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelMapEnv]; ok {
 			envmap, err := labelStructs.MapEnvFrom(l)
 			if err != nil {
 				log.Fatal("Error parsing map-env", err)
diff --git a/generator/converter.go b/generator/converter.go
index 8490809..3cea782 100644
--- a/generator/converter.go
+++ b/generator/converter.go
@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"katenary/generator/extrafiles"
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/katenaryfile"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/parser"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
@@ -125,6 +127,9 @@ func Convert(config ConvertOptions, dockerComposeFile ...string) {
 		os.Exit(1)
 	}
 
+	// TODO: use katenary.yaml file here to set the labels
+	katenaryfile.OverrideWithConfig(project)
+
 	if !config.Force {
 		// check if the chart directory exists
 		// if yes, prevent the user from overwriting it and ask for confirmation
@@ -264,7 +269,7 @@ func addDependencyDescription(values []byte, dependencies []labelStructs.Depende
 // of the service definition.
 func addDescriptions(values []byte, project types.Project) []byte {
 	for _, service := range project.Services {
-		if description, ok := service.Labels[LabelDescription]; ok {
+		if description, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelDescription]; ok {
 			// set it as comment
 			description = "\n# " + strings.ReplaceAll(description, "\n", "\n# ")
 
@@ -288,7 +293,7 @@ func addDescriptions(values []byte, project types.Project) []byte {
 
 func addDocToVariable(service types.ServiceConfig, lines []string) []string {
 	currentService := ""
-	variables := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, LabelValues)
+	variables := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, labels.LabelValues)
 	for i, line := range lines {
 		// if the line is a service, it is a name followed by a colon
 		if regexp.MustCompile(`(?m)^` + service.Name + `:`).MatchString(line) {
@@ -378,7 +383,7 @@ func addMainTagAppDoc(values []byte, project *types.Project) []byte {
 
 	for _, service := range project.Services {
 		// read the label LabelMainApp
-		if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelMainApp]; !ok {
+		if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelMainApp]; !ok {
 			continue
 		} else if v == "false" || v == "no" || v == "0" {
 			continue
@@ -651,7 +656,7 @@ func checkOldLabels(project *types.Project) error {
 	badServices := make([]string, 0)
 	for _, service := range project.Services {
 		for label := range service.Labels {
-			if strings.Contains(label, "katenary.") && !strings.Contains(label, katenaryLabelPrefix) {
+			if strings.Contains(label, "katenary.") && !strings.Contains(label, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix) {
 				badServices = append(badServices, fmt.Sprintf("- %s: %s", service.Name, label))
 			}
 		}
@@ -667,7 +672,7 @@ func checkOldLabels(project *types.Project) error {
   Services to upgrade:
 %s`,
 			project.Name,
-			katenaryLabelPrefix[0:len(katenaryLabelPrefix)-1],
+			labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix[0:len(labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)-1],
 			strings.Join(badServices, "\n"),
 		)
 
diff --git a/generator/cronJob.go b/generator/cronJob.go
index c6a7328..9cdf498 100644
--- a/generator/cronJob.go
+++ b/generator/cronJob.go
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package generator
 
 import (
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"strings"
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ type CronJob struct {
 
 // NewCronJob creates a new CronJob from a compose service. The appName is the name of the application taken from the project name.
 func NewCronJob(service types.ServiceConfig, chart *HelmChart, appName string) (*CronJob, *RBAC) {
-	labels, ok := service.Labels[LabelCronJob]
+	labels, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelCronJob]
 	if !ok {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
diff --git a/generator/deployment.go b/generator/deployment.go
index 7a20d17..d39c8e8 100644
--- a/generator/deployment.go
+++ b/generator/deployment.go
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"os"
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ type Deployment struct {
 // It also creates the Values map that will be used to create the values.yaml file.
 func NewDeployment(service types.ServiceConfig, chart *HelmChart) *Deployment {
 	isMainApp := false
-	if mainLabel, ok := service.Labels[LabelMainApp]; ok {
+	if mainLabel, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelMainApp]; ok {
 		main := strings.ToLower(mainLabel)
 		isMainApp = main == "true" || main == "yes" || main == "1"
 	}
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ func NewDeployment(service types.ServiceConfig, chart *HelmChart) *Deployment {
 					},
 					Spec: corev1.PodSpec{
 						NodeSelector: map[string]string{
-							labelName("node-selector"): "replace",
+							labels.LabelName("node-selector"): "replace",
 						},
 					},
 				},
@@ -154,7 +155,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) AddContainer(service types.ServiceConfig) {
 
 func (d *Deployment) AddHealthCheck(service types.ServiceConfig, container *corev1.Container) {
 	// get the label for healthcheck
-	if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelHealthCheck]; ok {
+	if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelHealthCheck]; ok {
 		probes, err := labelStructs.ProbeFrom(v)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
@@ -189,7 +190,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) AddIngress(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) *In
 // If the volume is a bind volume it will warn the user that it is not supported yet.
 func (d *Deployment) AddVolumes(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) {
 	tobind := map[string]bool{}
-	if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelConfigMapFiles]; ok {
+	if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelConfigMapFiles]; ok {
 		binds, err := labelStructs.ConfigMapFileFrom(v)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Fatal(err)
@@ -200,7 +201,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) AddVolumes(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) {
 	}
 
 	isSamePod := false
-	if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; !ok {
+	if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; !ok {
 		isSamePod = false
 	} else {
 		isSamePod = v != ""
@@ -245,7 +246,12 @@ func (d *Deployment) DependsOn(to *Deployment, servicename string) error {
 	for _, container := range to.Spec.Template.Spec.Containers {
 		commands := []string{}
 		if len(container.Ports) == 0 {
-			utils.Warn("No ports found for service ", servicename, ". You should declare a port in the service or use "+LabelPorts+" label.")
+			utils.Warn("No ports found for service ",
+				servicename,
+				". You should declare a port in the service or use "+
+					labels.LabelPorts+
+					" label.",
+			)
 			os.Exit(1)
 		}
 		for _, port := range container.Ports {
@@ -279,13 +285,13 @@ func (d *Deployment) SetEnvFrom(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) {
 	secrets := []string{}
 
 	// secrets from label
-	labelSecrets, err := labelStructs.SecretsFrom(service.Labels[LabelSecrets])
+	labelSecrets, err := labelStructs.SecretsFrom(service.Labels[labels.LabelSecrets])
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
 	// values from label
-	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, LabelValues)
+	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, labels.LabelValues)
 	labelValues := []string{}
 	for v := range varDescriptons {
 		labelValues = append(labelValues, v)
@@ -506,7 +512,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) Yaml() ([]byte, error) {
 
 	// find the katenary.v3/node-selector line, and remove it
 	for i, line := range content {
-		if strings.Contains(line, labelName("node-selector")) {
+		if strings.Contains(line, labels.LabelName("node-selector")) {
 			content = append(content[:i], content[i+1:]...)
 			continue
 		}
@@ -582,7 +588,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) bindVolumes(volume types.ServiceVolumeConfig, isSamePod boo
 		utils.Warn(
 			"Bind volumes are not supported yet, " +
 				"excepting for those declared as " +
-				LabelConfigMapFiles +
+				labels.LabelConfigMapFiles +
 				", skipping volume " + volume.Source +
 				" from service " + service.Name,
 		)
@@ -612,7 +618,7 @@ func (d *Deployment) bindVolumes(volume types.ServiceVolumeConfig, isSamePod boo
 		})
 		// Add volume to values.yaml only if it the service is not in the same pod that another service.
 		// If it is in the same pod, the volume will be added to the other service later
-		if _, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; !ok {
+		if _, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; !ok {
 			d.chart.Values[service.Name].(*Value).AddPersistence(volume.Source)
 		}
 		// Add volume to deployment
diff --git a/generator/deployment_test.go b/generator/deployment_test.go
index d20f187..37e4f31 100644
--- a/generator/deployment_test.go
+++ b/generator/deployment_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ services:
                   version: 18.x.X
 
     `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, Prefix())
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.Prefix())
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
@@ -249,7 +250,7 @@ services:
                         path: /ready
                         port: 80
     `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, Prefix())
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.Prefix())
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
@@ -295,7 +296,7 @@ services:
                 - FOO
 `
 
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, Prefix())
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.Prefix())
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
diff --git a/generator/generator.go b/generator/generator.go
index e03a8ee..dc521dd 100644
--- a/generator/generator.go
+++ b/generator/generator.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package generator
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"regexp"
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ func Generate(project *types.Project) (*HelmChart, error) {
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
-	Annotations[labelName("compose-hash")] = hash
+	Annotations[labels.LabelName("compose-hash")] = hash
 	chart.composeHash = &hash
 
 	// find the "main-app" label, and set chart.AppVersion to the tag if exists
@@ -81,14 +82,14 @@ func Generate(project *types.Project) (*HelmChart, error) {
 	// drop all "same-pod" deployments because the containers and volumes are already
 	// in the target deployment
 	for _, service := range podToMerge {
-		if samepod, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; ok && samepod != "" {
+		if samepod, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; ok && samepod != "" {
 			// move this deployment volumes to the target deployment
 			if target, ok := deployments[samepod]; ok {
 				target.AddContainer(*service)
 				target.BindFrom(*service, deployments[service.Name])
 				delete(deployments, service.Name)
 			} else {
-				log.Printf("service %[1]s is declared as %[2]s, but %[2]s is not defined", service.Name, LabelSamePod)
+				log.Printf("service %[1]s is declared as %[2]s, but %[2]s is not defined", service.Name, labels.LabelSamePod)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -163,7 +164,7 @@ func Generate(project *types.Project) (*HelmChart, error) {
 
 // serviceIsMain returns true if the service is the main app.
 func serviceIsMain(service types.ServiceConfig) bool {
-	if main, ok := service.Labels[LabelMainApp]; ok {
+	if main, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelMainApp]; ok {
 		return main == "true" || main == "yes" || main == "1"
 	}
 	return false
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ func buildVolumes(service types.ServiceConfig, chart *HelmChart, deployments map
 
 			// if the service is integrated in another deployment, we need to add the volume
 			// to the target deployment
-			if override, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; ok {
+			if override, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; ok {
 				pvc.nameOverride = override
 				pvc.Spec.StorageClassName = utils.StrPtr(`{{ .Values.` + override + `.persistence.` + v.Source + `.storageClass }}`)
 				chart.Values[override].(*Value).AddPersistence(v.Source)
@@ -308,7 +309,7 @@ func samePodVolume(service types.ServiceConfig, v types.ServiceVolumeConfig, dep
 	}
 
 	targetDeployment := ""
-	if targetName, ok := service.Labels[LabelSamePod]; !ok {
+	if targetName, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelSamePod]; !ok {
 		return false
 	} else {
 		targetDeployment = targetName
diff --git a/generator/globals.go b/generator/globals.go
index 057dcc7..6c313fd 100644
--- a/generator/globals.go
+++ b/generator/globals.go
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 package generator
 
-import "regexp"
+import (
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"regexp"
+)
 
 var (
 	// find all labels starting by __replace_ and ending with ":"
@@ -11,6 +14,6 @@ var (
 
 	// Standard annotationss
 	Annotations = map[string]string{
-		labelName("version"): Version,
+		labels.LabelName("version"): Version,
 	}
 )
diff --git a/generator/helper.go b/generator/helper.go
index a6a03c2..2494d93 100644
--- a/generator/helper.go
+++ b/generator/helper.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"strings"
 )
 
@@ -13,7 +14,7 @@ var helmHelper string
 // Helper returns the _helpers.tpl file for a chart.
 func Helper(name string) string {
 	helmHelper := strings.ReplaceAll(helmHelper, "__APP__", name)
-	helmHelper = strings.ReplaceAll(helmHelper, "__PREFIX__", katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	helmHelper = strings.ReplaceAll(helmHelper, "__PREFIX__", labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	helmHelper = strings.ReplaceAll(helmHelper, "__VERSION__", "0.1.0")
 	return helmHelper
 }
diff --git a/generator/ingress.go b/generator/ingress.go
index 83debce..79937f1 100644
--- a/generator/ingress.go
+++ b/generator/ingress.go
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package generator
 
 import (
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"log"
 	"strings"
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ func NewIngress(service types.ServiceConfig, Chart *HelmChart) *Ingress {
 	}
 	var label string
 	var ok bool
-	if label, ok = service.Labels[LabelIngress]; !ok {
+	if label, ok = service.Labels[labels.LabelIngress]; !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/generator/ingress_test.go b/generator/ingress_test.go
index 759145f..d79f2b8 100644
--- a/generator/ingress_test.go
+++ b/generator/ingress_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -22,7 +23,7 @@ services:
                 hostname: my.test.tld
                 port: 80
 `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
diff --git a/generator/katenaryfile/doc.go b/generator/katenaryfile/doc.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4464304
--- /dev/null
+++ b/generator/katenaryfile/doc.go
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+/*
+Package katenaryfile is a package for reading and writing katenary files.
+
+A katenary file, named "katenary.yml" or "katenary.yaml", is a file where you can define the
+configuration of the conversion avoiding the use of labels in the compose file.
+
+Formely, the file describe the same structure as in labels, and so that can be validated and
+completed by LSP. It also ease the use of katenary.
+*/
+package katenaryfile
diff --git a/generator/katenaryfile/main.go b/generator/katenaryfile/main.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d45a97f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/generator/katenaryfile/main.go
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+package katenaryfile
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/utils"
+	"log"
+	"os"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/compose-spec/compose-go/types"
+	"github.com/invopop/jsonschema"
+	"gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+)
+
+var allowedKatenaryYamlFileNames = []string{"katenary.yaml", "katenary.yml"}
+
+// StringOrMap is a struct that can be either a string or a map of strings.
+// It's a helper struct to unmarshal the katenary.yaml file and produce the schema
+type StringOrMap any
+
+// Service is a struct that contains the service configuration for katenary
+type Service struct {
+	MainApp       *bool                       `json:"main-app,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Is this service the main application"`
+	Values        []StringOrMap               `json:"values,omitempty" jsonschema:"description=Environment variables to be set in values.yaml with or without a description"`
+	Secrets       *labelStructs.Secrets       `json:"secrets,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Secrets,description=Environment variables to be set as secrets"`
+	Ports         *labelStructs.Ports         `json:"ports,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Ports,description=Ports to be exposed in services"`
+	Ingress       *labelStructs.Ingress       `json:"ingress,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Ingress,description=Ingress configuration"`
+	HealthCheck   *labelStructs.HealthCheck   `json:"health-check,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Health Check,description=Health check configuration that respects the kubernetes api"`
+	SamePod       *string                     `json:"same-pod,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Same Pod,description=Service that should be in the same pod"`
+	Description   *string                     `json:"description,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Description,description=Description of the service that will be injected in the values.yaml file"`
+	Ignore        *bool                       `json:"ignore,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Ignore,description=Ignore the service in the conversion"`
+	Dependencies  []labelStructs.Dependency   `json:"dependencies,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Dependencies,description=Services that should be injected in the Chart.yaml file"`
+	ConfigMapFile *labelStructs.ConfigMapFile `json:"configmap-files,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=ConfigMap Files,description=Files that should be injected as ConfigMap"`
+	MapEnv        *labelStructs.MapEnv        `json:"map-env,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Map Env,description=Map environment variables to another value"`
+	CronJob       *labelStructs.CronJob       `json:"cron-job,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Cron Job,description=Cron Job configuration"`
+	EnvFrom       *labelStructs.EnvFrom       `json:"env-from,omitempty" jsonschema:"title=Env From,description=Inject environment variables from another service"`
+}
+
+// OverrideWithConfig overrides the project with the katenary.yaml file. It
+// will set the labels of the services with the values from the katenary.yaml file.
+// It work in memory, so it will not modify the original project.
+func OverrideWithConfig(project *types.Project) {
+	var yamlFile string
+	var err error
+	for _, yamlFile = range allowedKatenaryYamlFileNames {
+		_, err = os.Stat(yamlFile)
+		if err == nil {
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if err != nil {
+		// no katenary file found
+		return
+	}
+	fmt.Println(utils.IconInfo, "Using katenary file", yamlFile)
+
+	services := make(map[string]Service)
+	fp, err := os.Open(yamlFile)
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if err := yaml.NewDecoder(fp).Decode(&services); err != nil {
+		log.Fatal(err)
+		return
+	}
+	for i, p := range project.Services {
+		name := p.Name
+		if project.Services[i].Labels == nil {
+			project.Services[i].Labels = make(map[string]string)
+		}
+
+		if s, ok := services[name]; ok {
+			getLabelContent(s.MainApp, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelMainApp)
+			getLabelContent(s.Values, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelValues)
+			getLabelContent(s.Secrets, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelSecrets)
+			getLabelContent(s.Ports, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelPorts)
+			getLabelContent(s.Ingress, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelIngress)
+			getLabelContent(s.HealthCheck, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelHealthCheck)
+			getLabelContent(s.SamePod, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelSamePod)
+			getLabelContent(s.Description, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelDescription)
+			getLabelContent(s.Ignore, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelIgnore)
+			getLabelContent(s.Dependencies, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelDependencies)
+			getLabelContent(s.ConfigMapFile, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelConfigMapFiles)
+			getLabelContent(s.MapEnv, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelMapEnv)
+			getLabelContent(s.CronJob, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelCronJob)
+			getLabelContent(s.EnvFrom, &project.Services[i], labels.LabelEnvFrom)
+		}
+	}
+	fmt.Println(utils.IconInfo, "Katenary file loaded successfully, the services are now configured.")
+}
+
+func getLabelContent(o any, service *types.ServiceConfig, labelName string) error {
+	if reflect.ValueOf(o).IsZero() {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	c, err := yaml.Marshal(o)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Println(err)
+		return err
+	}
+	val := strings.TrimSpace(string(c))
+
+	service.Labels[labelName] = val
+	return nil
+}
+
+// GenerateSchema generates the schema for the katenary.yaml file.
+func GenerateSchema() string {
+	s := jsonschema.Reflect(map[string]Service{})
+
+	// redefine the IntOrString type from k8s
+	s.Definitions["IntOrString"] = &jsonschema.Schema{
+		OneOf: []*jsonschema.Schema{
+			{Type: "integer"},
+			{Type: "string"},
+		},
+	}
+
+	// same for the StringOrMap type, that can be either a string or a map of string:string
+	s.Definitions["StringOrMap"] = &jsonschema.Schema{
+		OneOf: []*jsonschema.Schema{
+			{Type: "string"},
+			{Type: "object", AdditionalProperties: &jsonschema.Schema{Type: "string"}},
+		},
+	}
+
+	c, _ := s.MarshalJSON()
+	// indent the json
+	var out bytes.Buffer
+	err := json.Indent(&out, c, "", "  ")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err.Error()
+	}
+
+	return string(out.Bytes())
+}
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/ingress.go b/generator/labelStructs/ingress.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 86faea4..0000000
--- a/generator/labelStructs/ingress.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-package labelStructs
-
-import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
-
-type TLS struct {
-	Enabled bool `yaml:"enabled"`
-}
-
-type Ingress struct {
-	Port        *int32            `yaml:"port,omitempty"`
-	Annotations map[string]string `yaml:"annotations,omitempty"`
-	Hostname    string            `yaml:"hostname"`
-	Path        string            `yaml:"path"`
-	Class       string            `yaml:"class"`
-	Enabled     bool              `yaml:"enabled"`
-	TLS         TLS               `yaml:"tls"`
-}
-
-// IngressFrom creates a new Ingress from a compose service.
-func IngressFrom(data string) (*Ingress, error) {
-	mapping := Ingress{
-		Hostname: "",
-		Path:     "/",
-		Enabled:  false,
-		Class:    "-",
-		Port:     nil,
-		TLS:      TLS{Enabled: true},
-	}
-	if err := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &mapping); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	return &mapping, nil
-}
diff --git a/generator/labels.go b/generator/labels.go
index 7a828a0..188b84a 100644
--- a/generator/labels.go
+++ b/generator/labels.go
@@ -2,9 +2,10 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 )
 
-var componentLabel = labelName("component")
+var componentLabel = labels.LabelName("component")
 
 // GetLabels returns the labels for a service. It uses the appName to replace the __replace__ in the labels.
 // This is used to generate the labels in the templates.
diff --git a/generator/katenaryLabels.go b/generator/labels/katenaryLabels.go
similarity index 78%
rename from generator/katenaryLabels.go
rename to generator/labels/katenaryLabels.go
index a373e7c..958c6a6 100644
--- a/generator/katenaryLabels.go
+++ b/generator/labels/katenaryLabels.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package generator
+package labels
 
 import (
 	"bytes"
@@ -14,24 +14,24 @@ import (
 	"sigs.k8s.io/yaml"
 )
 
-const katenaryLabelPrefix = "katenary.v3"
+const KatenaryLabelPrefix = "katenary.v3"
 
 // Known labels.
 const (
-	LabelMainApp        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/main-app"
-	LabelValues         Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/values"
-	LabelSecrets        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/secrets"
-	LabelPorts          Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/ports"
-	LabelIngress        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/ingress"
-	LabelMapEnv         Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/map-env"
-	LabelHealthCheck    Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/health-check"
-	LabelSamePod        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/same-pod"
-	LabelDescription    Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/description"
-	LabelIgnore         Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/ignore"
-	LabelDependencies   Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/dependencies"
-	LabelConfigMapFiles Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/configmap-files"
-	LabelCronJob        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/cronjob"
-	LabelEnvFrom        Label = katenaryLabelPrefix + "/env-from"
+	LabelMainApp        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/main-app"
+	LabelValues         Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/values"
+	LabelSecrets        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/secrets"
+	LabelPorts          Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/ports"
+	LabelIngress        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/ingress"
+	LabelMapEnv         Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/map-env"
+	LabelHealthCheck    Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/health-check"
+	LabelSamePod        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/same-pod"
+	LabelDescription    Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/description"
+	LabelIgnore         Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/ignore"
+	LabelDependencies   Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/dependencies"
+	LabelConfigMapFiles Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/configmap-files"
+	LabelCronJob        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/cronjob"
+	LabelEnvFrom        Label = KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/env-from"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ var (
 // Label is a katenary label to find in compose files.
 type Label = string
 
-func labelName(name string) Label {
-	return Label(katenaryLabelPrefix + "/" + name)
+func LabelName(name string) Label {
+	return Label(KatenaryLabelPrefix + "/" + name)
 }
 
 // Help is the documentation of a label.
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ func GetLabelHelpFor(labelname string, asMarkdown bool) string {
 	template.Must(template.New("shorthelp").Parse(help.Long)).Execute(&buf, struct {
 		KatenaryPrefix string
 	}{
-		KatenaryPrefix: katenaryLabelPrefix,
+		KatenaryPrefix: KatenaryLabelPrefix,
 	})
 	help.Long = buf.String()
 	buf.Reset()
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ func GetLabelHelpFor(labelname string, asMarkdown bool) string {
 	template.Must(template.New("example").Parse(help.Example)).Execute(&buf, struct {
 		KatenaryPrefix string
 	}{
-		KatenaryPrefix: katenaryLabelPrefix,
+		KatenaryPrefix: KatenaryLabelPrefix,
 	})
 	help.Example = buf.String()
 	buf.Reset()
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func GetLabelHelpFor(labelname string, asMarkdown bool) string {
 	}{
 		Name:           labelname,
 		Help:           help,
-		KatenaryPrefix: katenaryLabelPrefix,
+		KatenaryPrefix: KatenaryLabelPrefix,
 	})
 
 	return buf.String()
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func generateMarkdownHelp(names []string) string {
 	}
 	for _, name := range names {
 		help := labelFullHelp[name]
-		maxNameLength = max(maxNameLength, len(name)+2+len(katenaryLabelPrefix))
+		maxNameLength = max(maxNameLength, len(name)+2+len(KatenaryLabelPrefix))
 		maxDescriptionLength = max(maxDescriptionLength, len(help.Short))
 		maxTypeLength = max(maxTypeLength, len(help.Type))
 	}
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func generateMarkdownHelp(names []string) string {
 	for _, name := range names {
 		help := labelFullHelp[name]
 		fmt.Fprintf(&builder, "| %-*s | %-*s | %-*s |\n",
-			maxNameLength, "`"+labelName(name)+"`", // enclose in backticks
+			maxNameLength, "`"+LabelName(name)+"`", // enclose in backticks
 			maxDescriptionLength, help.Short,
 			maxTypeLength, help.Type,
 		)
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func generatePlainHelp(names []string) string {
 	var builder strings.Builder
 	for _, name := range names {
 		help := labelFullHelp[name]
-		fmt.Fprintf(&builder, "%s:\t%s\t%s\n", labelName(name), help.Type, help.Short)
+		fmt.Fprintf(&builder, "%s:\t%s\t%s\n", LabelName(name), help.Type, help.Short)
 	}
 
 	// use tabwriter to align the help text
@@ -231,5 +231,5 @@ Example:
 }
 
 func Prefix() string {
-	return katenaryLabelPrefix
+	return KatenaryLabelPrefix
 }
diff --git a/generator/katenaryLabelsDoc.yaml b/generator/labels/katenaryLabelsDoc.yaml
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/katenaryLabelsDoc.yaml
rename to generator/labels/katenaryLabelsDoc.yaml
diff --git a/generator/katenaryLabels_test.go b/generator/labels/katenaryLabels_test.go
similarity index 94%
rename from generator/katenaryLabels_test.go
rename to generator/labels/katenaryLabels_test.go
index f6aa73c..4c95d10 100644
--- a/generator/katenaryLabels_test.go
+++ b/generator/labels/katenaryLabels_test.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package generator
+package labels
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func TestLabelName(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	for _, tt := range tests {
 		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			if got := labelName(tt.args.name); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
+			if got := LabelName(tt.args.name); !reflect.DeepEqual(got, tt.want) {
 				t.Errorf("labelName() = %v, want %v", got, tt.want)
 			}
 		})
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/configMap.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/configMap.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/configMap.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/configMap.go
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/cronJob.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/cronJob.go
similarity index 51%
rename from generator/labelStructs/cronJob.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/cronJob.go
index 8ec5dbd..972e456 100644
--- a/generator/labelStructs/cronJob.go
+++ b/generator/labels/labelStructs/cronJob.go
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@ package labelStructs
 import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 
 type CronJob struct {
-	Image    string `yaml:"image,omitempty"`
-	Command  string `yaml:"command"`
-	Schedule string `yaml:"schedule"`
-	Rbac     bool   `yaml:"rbac"`
+	Image    string `yaml:"image,omitempty" json:"image,omitempty"`
+	Command  string `yaml:"command" json:"command,omitempty"`
+	Schedule string `yaml:"schedule" json:"schedule,omitempty"`
+	Rbac     bool   `yaml:"rbac" json:"rbac,omitempty"`
 }
 
 func CronJobFrom(data string) (*CronJob, error) {
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/dependencies.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/dependencies.go
similarity index 56%
rename from generator/labelStructs/dependencies.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/dependencies.go
index 71dde8c..90511fe 100644
--- a/generator/labelStructs/dependencies.go
+++ b/generator/labels/labelStructs/dependencies.go
@@ -4,11 +4,11 @@ import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
 
 // Dependency is a dependency of a chart to other charts.
 type Dependency struct {
-	Values     map[string]any `yaml:"-"`
-	Name       string         `yaml:"name"`
-	Version    string         `yaml:"version"`
-	Repository string         `yaml:"repository"`
-	Alias      string         `yaml:"alias,omitempty"`
+	Values     map[string]any `yaml:"-" json:"values,omitempty"`
+	Name       string         `yaml:"name" json:"name"`
+	Version    string         `yaml:"version" json:"version"`
+	Repository string         `yaml:"repository" json:"repository"`
+	Alias      string         `yaml:"alias,omitempty" json:"alias,omitempty"`
 }
 
 // DependenciesFrom returns a slice of dependencies from the given string.
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/doc.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/doc.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/doc.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/doc.go
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/envFrom.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/envFrom.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/envFrom.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/envFrom.go
diff --git a/generator/labels/labelStructs/ingress.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/ingress.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5fe0e57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/generator/labels/labelStructs/ingress.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+package labelStructs
+
+import "gopkg.in/yaml.v3"
+
+type TLS struct {
+	Enabled bool `yaml:"enabled" json:"enabled,omitempty"`
+}
+
+type Ingress struct {
+	Port        *int32            `yaml:"port,omitempty" jsonschema:"nullable" json:"port,omitempty"`
+	Annotations map[string]string `yaml:"annotations,omitempty" jsonschema:"nullable" json:"annotations,omitempty"`
+	Hostname    string            `yaml:"hostname" json:"hostname,omitempty"`
+	Path        string            `yaml:"path" json:"path,omitempty"`
+	Class       string            `yaml:"class" json:"class,omitempty" jsonschema:"default:-"`
+	Enabled     bool              `yaml:"enabled" json:"enabled,omitempty"`
+	TLS         *TLS              `yaml:"tls,omitempty" json:"tls,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// IngressFrom creates a new Ingress from a compose service.
+func IngressFrom(data string) (*Ingress, error) {
+	mapping := Ingress{
+		Hostname: "",
+		Path:     "/",
+		Enabled:  false,
+		Class:    "-",
+		Port:     nil,
+		TLS:      &TLS{Enabled: true},
+	}
+	if err := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &mapping); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return &mapping, nil
+}
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/mapenv.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/mapenv.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/mapenv.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/mapenv.go
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/ports.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/ports.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/ports.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/ports.go
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/probes.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/probes.go
similarity index 79%
rename from generator/labelStructs/probes.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/probes.go
index 91aae6f..bdd3813 100644
--- a/generator/labelStructs/probes.go
+++ b/generator/labels/labelStructs/probes.go
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ import (
 	corev1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 )
 
-type Probe struct {
-	LivenessProbe  *corev1.Probe `yaml:"livenessProbe,omitempty"`
-	ReadinessProbe *corev1.Probe `yaml:"readinessProbe,omitempty"`
+type HealthCheck struct {
+	LivenessProbe  *corev1.Probe `yaml:"livenessProbe,omitempty" json:"livenessProbe,omitempty"`
+	ReadinessProbe *corev1.Probe `yaml:"readinessProbe,omitempty" json:"readinessProbe,omitempty"`
 }
 
-func ProbeFrom(data string) (*Probe, error) {
-	mapping := Probe{}
+func ProbeFrom(data string) (*HealthCheck, error) {
+	mapping := HealthCheck{}
 	tmp := map[string]any{}
 	err := yaml.Unmarshal([]byte(data), &tmp)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/generator/labelStructs/secrets.go b/generator/labels/labelStructs/secrets.go
similarity index 100%
rename from generator/labelStructs/secrets.go
rename to generator/labels/labelStructs/secrets.go
diff --git a/generator/secret.go b/generator/secret.go
index f6422e3..9c28343 100644
--- a/generator/secret.go
+++ b/generator/secret.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package generator
 import (
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ func NewSecret(service types.ServiceConfig, appName string) *Secret {
 
 	// check if the value should be in values.yaml
 	valueList := []string{}
-	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, LabelValues)
+	varDescriptons := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(service, labels.LabelValues)
 	for value := range varDescriptons {
 		valueList = append(valueList, value)
 	}
@@ -79,7 +80,15 @@ func (s *Secret) AddData(key, value string) {
 	if value == "" {
 		return
 	}
-	s.Data[key] = []byte(`{{ tpl ` + value + ` $ | b64enc }}`)
+	valuesLabels := utils.GetValuesFromLabel(s.service, labels.LabelValues)
+	if _, ok := valuesLabels[key]; ok {
+		// the value should be in values.yaml
+		s.Data[key] = []byte(`{{ tpl .Values.` + s.service.Name + `.environment.` + key + ` $ | b64enc }}`)
+	} else {
+		encoded := base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString([]byte(value))
+		s.Data[key] = []byte(encoded)
+	}
+	// s.Data[key] = []byte(`{{ tpl ` + value + ` $ | b64enc }}`)
 }
 
 // Filename returns the filename of the secret.
diff --git a/generator/secret_test.go b/generator/secret_test.go
index 6f80fe7..607b5ba 100644
--- a/generator/secret_test.go
+++ b/generator/secret_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -21,7 +22,7 @@ services:
             %s/secrets: |-
                 - BAR
 `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
diff --git a/generator/utils.go b/generator/utils.go
index b0f1004..539f07d 100644
--- a/generator/utils.go
+++ b/generator/utils.go
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package generator
 
 import (
-	"katenary/generator/labelStructs"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
+	"katenary/generator/labels/labelStructs"
 	"katenary/utils"
 	"regexp"
 	"strconv"
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ func fixPorts(service *types.ServiceConfig) error {
 	// check the "ports" label from container and add it to the service
 	portsLabel := ""
 	ok := false
-	if portsLabel, ok = service.Labels[LabelPorts]; !ok {
+	if portsLabel, ok = service.Labels[labels.LabelPorts]; !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
 	ports, err := labelStructs.PortsFrom(portsLabel)
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ func fixPorts(service *types.ServiceConfig) error {
 
 // isIgnored returns true if the service is ignored.
 func isIgnored(service types.ServiceConfig) bool {
-	if v, ok := service.Labels[LabelIgnore]; ok {
+	if v, ok := service.Labels[labels.LabelIgnore]; ok {
 		return v == "true" || v == "yes" || v == "1"
 	}
 	return false
diff --git a/generator/volume_test.go b/generator/volume_test.go
index 2342535..1923140 100644
--- a/generator/volume_test.go
+++ b/generator/volume_test.go
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package generator
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
+	"katenary/generator/labels"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ services:
             %s/configmap-files: |-
                 - ./static
 `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ services:
             %s/configmap-files: |-
                 - ./static/index.html
 `
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ volumes:
     data:
 `
 
-	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, katenaryLabelPrefix)
+	composeFile = fmt.Sprintf(composeFile, labels.KatenaryLabelPrefix)
 	tmpDir := setup(composeFile)
 	defer teardown(tmpDir)
 
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 9368499..fed32de 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ toolchain go1.23.2
 
 require (
 	github.com/compose-spec/compose-go v1.20.2
+	github.com/invopop/jsonschema v0.12.0
 	github.com/mitchellh/go-wordwrap v1.0.1
 	github.com/spf13/cobra v1.8.1
 	github.com/thediveo/netdb v1.1.2
@@ -17,6 +18,8 @@ require (
 )
 
 require (
+	github.com/bahlo/generic-list-go v0.2.0 // indirect
+	github.com/buger/jsonparser v1.1.1 // indirect
 	github.com/distribution/reference v0.6.0 // indirect
 	github.com/docker/go-connections v0.5.0 // indirect
 	github.com/docker/go-units v0.5.0 // indirect
@@ -27,6 +30,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/imdario/mergo v0.3.16 // indirect
 	github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0 // indirect
 	github.com/json-iterator/go v1.1.12 // indirect
+	github.com/mailru/easyjson v0.7.7 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-shellwords v1.0.12 // indirect
 	github.com/mitchellh/mapstructure v1.5.0 // indirect
 	github.com/modern-go/concurrent v0.0.0-20180306012644-bacd9c7ef1dd // indirect
@@ -35,6 +39,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1 // indirect
 	github.com/sirupsen/logrus v1.9.3 // indirect
 	github.com/spf13/pflag v1.0.5 // indirect
+	github.com/wk8/go-ordered-map/v2 v2.1.8 // indirect
 	github.com/x448/float16 v0.8.4 // indirect
 	github.com/xeipuuv/gojsonpointer v0.0.0-20190905194746-02993c407bfb // indirect
 	github.com/xeipuuv/gojsonreference v0.0.0-20180127040603-bd5ef7bd5415 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index 0195ade..46a68b5 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+github.com/bahlo/generic-list-go v0.2.0 h1:5sz/EEAK+ls5wF+NeqDpk5+iNdMDXrh3z3nPnH1Wvgk=
+github.com/bahlo/generic-list-go v0.2.0/go.mod h1:2KvAjgMlE5NNynlg/5iLrrCCZ2+5xWbdbCW3pNTGyYg=
+github.com/buger/jsonparser v1.1.1 h1:2PnMjfWD7wBILjqQbt530v576A/cAbQvEW9gGIpYMUs=
+github.com/buger/jsonparser v1.1.1/go.mod h1:6RYKKt7H4d4+iWqouImQ9R2FZql3VbhNgx27UK13J/0=
 github.com/compose-spec/compose-go v1.20.2 h1:u/yfZHn4EaHGdidrZycWpxXgFffjYULlTbRfJ51ykjQ=
 github.com/compose-spec/compose-go v1.20.2/go.mod h1:+MdqXV4RA7wdFsahh/Kb8U0pAJqkg7mr4PM9tFKU8RM=
 github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.4/go.mod h1:tgQtvFlXSQOSOSIRvRPT7W67SCa46tRHOmNcaadrF8o=
@@ -32,6 +36,9 @@ github.com/imdario/mergo v0.3.16 h1:wwQJbIsHYGMUyLSPrEq1CT16AhnhNJQ51+4fdHUnCl4=
 github.com/imdario/mergo v0.3.16/go.mod h1:WBLT9ZmE3lPoWsEzCh9LPo3TiwVN+ZKEjmz+hD27ysY=
 github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0 h1:wN+x4NVGpMsO7ErUn/mUI3vEoE6Jt13X2s0bqwp9tc8=
 github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0/go.mod h1:vpF70FUmC8bwa3OWnCshd2FqLfsEA9PFc4w1p2J65bw=
+github.com/invopop/jsonschema v0.12.0 h1:6ovsNSuvn9wEQVOyc72aycBMVQFKz7cPdMJn10CvzRI=
+github.com/invopop/jsonschema v0.12.0/go.mod h1:ffZ5Km5SWWRAIN6wbDXItl95euhFz2uON45H2qjYt+0=
+github.com/josharian/intern v1.0.0/go.mod h1:5DoeVV0s6jJacbCEi61lwdGj/aVlrQvzHFFd8Hwg//Y=
 github.com/json-iterator/go v1.1.12 h1:PV8peI4a0ysnczrg+LtxykD8LfKY9ML6u2jnxaEnrnM=
 github.com/json-iterator/go v1.1.12/go.mod h1:e30LSqwooZae/UwlEbR2852Gd8hjQvJoHmT4TnhNGBo=
 github.com/kisielk/errcheck v1.5.0/go.mod h1:pFxgyoBC7bSaBwPgfKdkLd5X25qrDl4LWUI2bnpBCr8=
@@ -40,6 +47,8 @@ github.com/kr/pretty v0.3.1 h1:flRD4NNwYAUpkphVc1HcthR4KEIFJ65n8Mw5qdRn3LE=
 github.com/kr/pretty v0.3.1/go.mod h1:hoEshYVHaxMs3cyo3Yncou5ZscifuDolrwPKZanG3xk=
 github.com/kr/text v0.2.0 h1:5Nx0Ya0ZqY2ygV366QzturHI13Jq95ApcVaJBhpS+AY=
 github.com/kr/text v0.2.0/go.mod h1:eLer722TekiGuMkidMxC/pM04lWEeraHUUmBw8l2grE=
+github.com/mailru/easyjson v0.7.7 h1:UGYAvKxe3sBsEDzO8ZeWOSlIQfWFlxbzLZe7hwFURr0=
+github.com/mailru/easyjson v0.7.7/go.mod h1:xzfreul335JAWq5oZzymOObrkdz5UnU4kGfJJLY9Nlc=
 github.com/mattn/go-shellwords v1.0.12 h1:M2zGm7EW6UQJvDeQxo4T51eKPurbeFbe8WtebGE2xrk=
 github.com/mattn/go-shellwords v1.0.12/go.mod h1:EZzvwXDESEeg03EKmM+RmDnNOPKG4lLtQsUlTZDWQ8Y=
 github.com/mitchellh/go-wordwrap v1.0.1 h1:TLuKupo69TCn6TQSyGxwI1EblZZEsQ0vMlAFQflz0v0=
@@ -78,6 +87,8 @@ github.com/stretchr/testify v1.9.0 h1:HtqpIVDClZ4nwg75+f6Lvsy/wHu+3BoSGCbBAcpTsT
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.9.0/go.mod h1:r2ic/lqez/lEtzL7wO/rwa5dbSLXVDPFyf8C91i36aY=
 github.com/thediveo/netdb v1.1.2 h1:XdLx/YJPutxrSkPYtmCAIY5sgAvxtkS1Tz+Z0UX2I+U=
 github.com/thediveo/netdb v1.1.2/go.mod h1:KJczM//7VIIiovQO1qDooHvM8+0pt6RdRt3rVDZxEGM=
+github.com/wk8/go-ordered-map/v2 v2.1.8 h1:5h/BUHu93oj4gIdvHHHGsScSTMijfx5PeYkE/fJgbpc=
+github.com/wk8/go-ordered-map/v2 v2.1.8/go.mod h1:5nJHM5DyteebpVlHnWMV0rPz6Zp7+xBAnxjb1X5vnTw=
 github.com/x448/float16 v0.8.4 h1:qLwI1I70+NjRFUR3zs1JPUCgaCXSh3SW62uAKT1mSBM=
 github.com/x448/float16 v0.8.4/go.mod h1:14CWIYCyZA/cWjXOioeEpHeN/83MdbZDRQHoFcYsOfg=
 github.com/xeipuuv/gojsonpointer v0.0.0-20180127040702-4e3ac2762d5f/go.mod h1:N2zxlSyiKSe5eX1tZViRH5QA0qijqEDrYZiPEAiq3wU=