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

# Local Development

> Practical examples and patterns for typical local development workflows

This guide walks through common workflows and best practices for developing with Helix CLI v2 locally.

### Initial Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create project">
    ```bash theme={null}
    mkdir my-app && cd my-app
    helix init
    ```

    Note that `helix init` with no arguments defaults to making a local instance called `dev`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define schema">
    Edit `db/schema.hx`:

    ```js theme={null}
    N::User {
      name: String,
      INDEX email: String,
      created_at: Date DEFAULT NOW
    }

    N::Post {
      title: String,
      content: String,
      published: Boolean DEFAULT true,
      created_at: Date DEFAULT NOW
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create queries">
    Edit `db/queries.hx`:

    ```js theme={null}
    QUERY createUser(name: String, email: String) =>
      user <- AddN<User({
        name: name,
        email: email,
      })
      RETURN user

    QUERY getUserByEmail(email: String) =>
      user <- N<User>({email: email})
      RETURN user
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate">
    ```bash theme={null}
    helix check
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build and deploy">
    ```bash theme={null}
    helix push dev
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Development Iteration

When making changes during development:

```bash theme={null}
# Edit your .hx files
vim db/queries.hx

# Validate changes
helix check

# Deploy changes (rebuilds automatically if needed)
helix push dev

# Check status
helix status

# View logs
docker logs helix_my-app_dev

# Stop when done
helix stop dev
```

### Working with Multiple Instances

Create different instances for different purposes:

```bash theme={null}
# Add a testing instance
helix add local --name testing

# Configure different port in helix.toml
# [local.testing]
# port = 7070

# Run both instances
helix push dev
helix push testing

# Status shows all instances
helix status
```