> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://helix-claude-document-return-objects-rxi6v.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is HelixDB?

> Learn about HelixDB architecture, features, and capabilities

## What are HelixDB's key features?

HelixDB provides:

* **High Performance**: Purpose-built storage engine optimized for both graph and vector operations
* **Type Safety**: Explicit type definitions to ensure data integrity
* **Developer-Friendly**: Simple setup and migration
* **Secure**: Options for encryption at rest

## How does HelixDB store data?

HelixDB uses a property graph model with three core components:

* **Nodes**: Represent entities with unique identifiers and properties
  ```js theme={null}
  N::NodeType {
    field1: String,
    field2: U32
  }
  ```
* **Vectors**: Represent entities with unique identifiers and vector embeddings
  ```js theme={null}
  V::VectorType {
    field1: String,
    field2: U32
  }
  ```
* **Edges**: Represent relationships between nodes and/or vectors, with directionality and properties
  ```js theme={null}
  E::EdgeType {
    From: String,
    To: String,
    Properties: {
      field1: String,
      field2: U32
    }
  }
  ```

This model allows for rich representation of complex domains while maintaining query performance.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting started with CLI" icon="rocket" href="/documentation/cli-v2/getting-started">
    Install and deploy your first HelixDB instance
  </Card>

  <Card title="Learn HelixQL" icon="book-open" href="/documentation/hql/hql">
    Master the HelixQL query language
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schema definitions" icon="table" href="/documentation/hql/schema/schema-definition">
    Define your graph structure
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python SDK" icon="python" href="/documentation/sdks/helix-py">
    Use HelixDB with Python
  </Card>
</CardGroup>