HelixDB/helix-db

What is it?

Key features

• 01Labeled property graph for entities, relationships and typed properties.
• 02Approximate nearest-neighbor vector search prefiltered by graph traversal.
• 03BM25 full-text search over node and edge properties.
• 04SDKs for Rust, TypeScript, Python and Go sending queries over HTTP.
• 05Local server via CLI, with optional disk persistence or embedded mode.
• 06Cypher reads and CRUD in source builds.

Use cases

• Retrieval-augmented generation that combines vector similarity with graph relationships.
• Applications needing graph queries and keyword search over the same data.
• Prototyping a data model locally with an embedded or in-memory database.
• Teams wanting a managed graph database deployed on object storage.

Quick start

1. 1

   Install the CLI on macOS or Linux

2. 2

   Create a project directory and initialize a local project

   mkdir my-helix-app && cd my-helix-app
3. 3

   Start a local instance (requires Docker or Podman)

   helix start dev
4. 4

   Run the generated example query

   helix query dev --file examples/request.json

Things to know

• !Requires Docker or Podman to run a local instance.
• !Current SDK and HelixDB generation is v3, and the wire endpoint is still /v2/, so APIs may still be evolving.
• !Cypher support is documented for source builds only.

Topics

FAQ

What is helix-db?

An open-source graph database in Rust that stores graph, vector and full-text data together on object storage, queryable from Rust, TypeScript, Go and Python. HelixDB is an Apache 2.0 licensed graph database that keeps entities, relationships, embeddings and text in one transactional engine. It models data as a labeled property graph, runs approximate nearest-neighbor vector search that can be prefiltered by graph traversal, and provides BM25 keyword search over node and edge properties.

Is helix-db free to use? What license does it have?

helix-db is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.

Is helix-db still maintained?

Actively maintained. The last commit to helix-db was on Oct 20, 2026.

What can I use helix-db for?

Retrieval-augmented generation that combines vector similarity with graph relationships. Applications needing graph queries and keyword search over the same data. Prototyping a data model locally with an embedded or in-memory database. Teams wanting a managed graph database deployed on object storage.

How do I install helix-db?

Install the CLI on macOS or Linux Create a project directory and initialize a local project: mkdir my-helix-app && cd my-helix-app Start a local instance (requires Docker or Podman): helix start dev Run the generated example query: helix query dev --file examples/request.json

Where can I get helix-db?

The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/HelixDB/helix-db