typedb

name	typedb
description	Write and debug TypeQL queries for TypeDB 3.8+. Use when working with TypeDB schemas, data queries, insertions, deletions, or functions.

TypeDB 3 Reference

Adapted from CaliLuke/skills for local use in this repository.

Schema roots

• entity
• relation
• attribute

TypeDB 3 does not support thing as a schema root.

Core schema syntax

define
  attribute name, value string;
  relation employment, relates employer, relates employee;
  entity person, owns name, plays employment:employee;

TypeDB 3 functions

TypeDB 3 uses fun, not rule.

fun get_active_users() -> { string }:
  match
    $u isa user, has status "active", has email $e;
  return { $e };

fun count_users() -> integer:
  match
    $u isa user;
  return count;

fun user_exists($email: string) -> boolean:
  match
    $u isa user, has email == $email;
  return check;

Using functions

match
  let $emails in get_active_users();
fetch { "active_emails": $emails };

match
  let $count = count_users();
fetch { "total_users": $count };

match
  true == user_exists("[e-mail]");
fetch {};

Relation syntax

Anonymous relation:

employment (employer: $c, employee: $p);

Relation variable:

$rel isa employment;
$rel links (employer: $c, employee: $p);

Do not write:

$rel (employer: $c, employee: $p) isa employment;

Common query operators

• match
• fetch
• insert
• put
• update
• delete
• sort
• offset
• limit
• reduce
• distinct
• require
• try
• not
• or

Common pitfalls

No rules in TypeDB 3

• Do not add rule ... when ... then ... blocks.

Exact type vs subtype matching

$x isa person;   # includes subtypes
$x isa! person;  # exact type only

Variable reuse in OR branches

• Use unique variable names per branch.

Aggregates

return max($m);
return min($m);

Parentheses are required.

Boolean returns

let $r = true;
return first $r;

TypeDB 3 patterns used in this repo

• Prefer fun composition over duplicated query fragments.
• Keep constraints in the same match stage where possible.
• For repo-specific TypeDB guidance, also consult:
  • .claude/skills/new-typedb-fun/SKILL.md
  • .claude/skills/typeql-preflight/SKILL.md