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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.helix-db.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

For the complete documentation index optimized for AI agents, see llms.txt.
Bootstrap a first HelixDB app for a coding agent. helix chef installs agent context, creates a local project, starts the local database, seeds starter data, and opens the dashboard.

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Usage

helix chef [OPTIONS]
helix cook is an alias for helix chef.

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Flags

FlagTypeDescriptionDefault
-a, --autoBooleanRun automatic setup with defaults and no prompts.false

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What it does

Automatic setup runs these steps:
  1. Installs Helix skills with npx skills add HelixDB/skills.
  2. Installs the Helix docs MCP with npx add-mcp https://docs.helix-db.com/mcp --name helixdb-docs.
  3. Initializes a local project under ~/my-first-helix-project with a dev instance on port 8080.
  4. Writes HELIX_CHEF_PROMPT.md, a placeholder prompt for the active coding agent.
  5. Writes starter dynamic query files:
    • examples/seed.json inserts starter User nodes.
    • examples/read_users.json reads the seeded users.
  6. Starts the local database with the equivalent of helix run dev.
  7. Runs examples/seed.json with the equivalent of helix query dev --file examples/seed.json.
  8. Starts the dashboard on http://localhost:3000 with the equivalent of helix dashboard start --restart.
helix chef is intended for local development in a coding-agent environment. It uses npx, so Node.js/npm must be available on PATH for skills and MCP setup.

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Interactive mode

Running helix chef in a terminal prompts first for: 
What do you want to build?
Leave this blank to skip. If you provide an app idea, the CLI writes it into HELIX_CHEF_PROMPT.md so your coding agent can use it when replacing the generic starter queries. Next, choose a setup mode:
ModeBehavior
Automatic setupRuns every setup step with defaults.
Manual setupLets you choose the project path and confirm each setup step.

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Generated prompt placeholder

The query-generation prompt is intentionally a placeholder. Until the final generator prompt is shipped, HELIX_CHEF_PROMPT.md tells the coding agent to replace the starter JSON files with app-specific dynamic query requests based on the user’s build intent.

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Examples

# Interactive setup
helix chef

# Fully automatic setup
helix chef --auto

# Short flag
helix chef -a

# Alias
helix cook