Helix is a statically typed programming language, built for systems programming and high-performance applications. Designed with interoperability in mind. Helix aims to combine the power and control of low-level languages with the safety and clarity of high-level design.
Note
Helix is not associated with the Helix-Editor, we are in the process or rebranding, by Q1 2026 Helix-lang will be under a new name!
- Safe, and productive programming language.
- Allow for low-level programming with fine-grained control.
- Seamless interoperability with C and C++ along with other native languages.
- Include a portable, well-structured standard library.
- Encourage clear, maintainable, and reviewable code through strong, expressive semantics.
- An alternative to C, C++, and Rust or work alongside them.
The Stage 0 compiler (written in C++) is functional and can compile Helix, you can downlaod it from the release page, currently very unstable, and riddled with bugs. Development of the Stage 1 compiler, written in Helix itself, is in progress.
Warning
Documentation is a work in progress, it doesn't refelct what Stage 0 can compile or do; since most of the code emaples are for stage 1's syntax - and yes, the discriptions are mostly written using AI (LLMs). We will be redoing it incrementally, until stage 1 is stable; We would appreciate any contributions, feedback, or suggestions you may have!
You can find the source on GitHub, and the website is at helix-lang.com. In the meantime if you'd want some reference of helix code that compiles on stage 0 take a look here
- C and C++ give you the beans, grinder, and espresso machine; and all the ingredients, but you dont have any instructions on how to make it, you have all the freedom but no guidance.
- Rust gives you some ingredients and some fancy equipment, but you are forced to follow strict recipes and you don't have enough creative freedom do what you would like. You can't experiment with the recipes and create your own variations easily.
- Helix gives you all that you need, with clear recipes and instructions, but also allows you to experiment and make your own recipes, without any restrictions.
- We liked the simplicity of Python's syntax but wanted more.
- We wanted the performance and control of C and C++.
- We admired Rust's safety features but, at times, found them cumbersome.
- We liked Rust's Meta-programming and Trait system.
- We liked Zig's approach to interoperability.
- We wanted a powerful module system.
- We wanted a robust standard library.
- We wanted a language that would work drop-in with any existing C or C++ codebases.
- We wanted all; without compromising on any front.
- So we created Helix.
Helix is built to slot directly into C and C++ ecosystems, offering a fresh syntax and features, without abandoning decades of code.
To get started with Helix, please refer to the Installation Guide for code refrence (since the docs are inconsistent/incomplete) take a look here.
Helix is licensed under the Attribution 4.0 International License. See the LICENSE for more details.
We want to thank all our contributors pushing Helix forward.