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

# Introduction

> TuringDB is the fastest graph database engine for analytical, AI-driven, and read-intensive workloads

## What is TuringDB?

TuringDB is an in-memory column oriented graph database engine built in C++ for analytical, AI-driven, and read-intensive workloads. With version-controlled storage and zero-locking execution, it gives you **blazing-fast queries**, **snapshot isolation**, and **seamless integration** with modern AI pipelines.

The platform has three main components: the [TuringDB engine](/concepts/overview) (a columnar, version-controlled graph store), the [Python SDK](/pythonsdk/reference) for building applications and pipelines, and a [built-in visualizer](/quickstart) for exploring graphs in the browser.

## Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Setup" icon="https://mintcdn.com/turingdb-addition-gnn-sample/AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1/images/icons/pixel-bricks.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1&q=85&s=361b904cb3e8c2f9b5d440d0bf2f0441" img="/images/cards/setup.png" href="/quickstart" width="64" height="64" data-path="images/icons/pixel-bricks.png">
    Get up and running in minutes with our step-by-step guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Concepts and Architecture" icon="https://mintcdn.com/turingdb-addition-gnn-sample/AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1/images/icons/pixel-book.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1&q=85&s=c2ec2c93f1b94170a655ec740d6a9da9" img="/images/cards/concepts.png" href="/concepts/overview" width="64" height="64" data-path="images/icons/pixel-book.png">
    Learn about the core concepts and architecture of TuringDB
  </Card>

  <Card title="Query Language" icon="https://mintcdn.com/turingdb-addition-gnn-sample/AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1/images/icons/pixel-magnifier.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1&q=85&s=e131bda5cd4a30be21fff49b25bd63eb" img="/images/cards/query.png?v=2" href="/query/cypher_subset" width="64" height="64" data-path="images/icons/pixel-magnifier.png">
    TuringDB query language based on OpenCypher
  </Card>

  <Card title="Benchmarks" icon="https://mintcdn.com/turingdb-addition-gnn-sample/AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1/images/icons/pixel-chart.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AtLMfgXrNvGBPgB1&q=85&s=3f42b992131e044444ba0ad028b04b19" img="/images/cards/benchmarks.png?v=2" href="/benchmarks/results-summary" width="64" height="64" data-path="images/icons/pixel-chart.png">
    See how TuringDB performs against other graph databases
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quickstart

You need a terminal, and optionally Python with `uv` or `pip` if you want to use the SDK.

Install and launch TuringDB using whichever method fits your setup:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash curl theme={null}
  # Quick install into your home directory
  curl https://install.turingdb.ai | bash

  # Launch the server (default port 6666)
  turingdb
  ```

  ```bash uv add theme={null}
  # Add the TuringDB SDK to a uv project
  uv add turingdb

  # Launch the server
  turingdb
  ```

  ```bash pip install theme={null}
  # Install the TuringDB SDK with pip
  pip install turingdb

  # Launch the server
  turingdb
  ```

  ```python Python SDK theme={null}
  from turingdb import TuringDB

  # Connect to a running TuringDB server
  client = TuringDB(host="http://localhost:6666")

  # Create a graph and a versioned change
  client.create_graph("mygraph")
  client.set_graph("mygraph")
  change = client.new_change()
  client.checkout(change=change)

  # Write, commit, and submit
  client.query("CREATE (n:Person {name: 'Jane'})-[e:KNOWS]->(m:Person {name: 'John'})")
  client.query("COMMIT")
  client.query("CHANGE SUBMIT")

  # Back to main, query the graph
  client.checkout()
  client.query("MATCH (n) RETURN n")
  ```

  ```bash Docker theme={null}
  # Run TuringDB in a container
  # (other install methods are preferred — Docker adds some performance loss)
  docker run -it turingdbai/turingdb:nightly turingdb
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Once the server is running, open the built-in visualizer with `turingdb -ui` and head to [http://localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080). For the full walkthrough, see the [Get Started guide](/quickstart).

## SDKs

TuringDB ships a [Python SDK](/pythonsdk/reference) for creating graphs, managing changes, and running Cypher queries from your applications and notebooks. Using Claude Code? Install the [TuringDB skill](/claude-skill) and let Claude drive the database for you.