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Postgres is the endgame database. Gel supercharges it with a modern data model, graph queries, Auth & AI solutions, and much more.
Running production systems with Gel
Fresh database experience
Gel is a scalable, integrated data platform on top of Postgres. Gel gives the relational model a fresh facelift, solves n+1, simplifies migrations, and streamlines your entire database workflow.
Gel is fullyopen source.
- complete local dev environment
- zero-config
- seconds to deploy to cloud
- cloud: encryption at rest, backups, monitoring
- export data to vanilla Postgres, if needed
- hierarchical selects, inserts, updates
- link traversal: no JOINs
- no NULL
- easily composable queries
- SQL & ORMs support
- object types: links not JOINs
- watertight access control
- schema migrations engine
- abstract types and mixins
- advanced features: introspection, polymorphism
- strictly typed schema
- typed code via code gen for queries
- TypeScript query builder
- standard library optimized for safety
- single type-safe data model for all languages
- vector store
- configurable automatic embeddings
- automatic RAG end-point
- gels with OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral
- SDKs for Python and TS
- multiple OAuth integrations
- email/password, magic links
- passkeys
- built-in login UI
- SDKs for Python and TS
- Vercel marketplace partnership: easy billing
- GitHub & Vercel previews
- comprehensive CLI
- built-in graphical UI
- compatible with most BI solutions
- query composability: better perf than SQL
- no extra network roundtrips = low latency
- auto-recovery from network errors in client APIs
- built-in server and client connection pooling
The Gel way
What does building an app from zero to 1 with Gel look like?
A complete database workflow for both local & cloud development. Run Gel CLI with uvx or npx, or install in seconds.
More about the CLI
- Instant setup: Install Gel CLI in seconds—or use via npx or uvx, with no extra downloads.
- Flexible versioning: Run multiple Gel/Postgres versions side by side, no sudo required.
- Local & cloud: Create and manage deployments anywhere, from your laptop to the cloud.
- Built-in tooling: Apply schema migrations, dump & restore data, open a GUI, or jump into a REPL.
- Zero config: Everything just works out of the box—no manual setup needed.
Model your data with types, not tables. Start with simple types, go nuts with advanced concepts later.
More about the data model
- Higher-level modeling: Gel's type-based schema feels natural in modern languages—no ORMs required.
- Feature-rich schema: Define object types, abstract types, multiple inheritance and mixins, triggers, annotations, introspection, computed fields, user-defined functions, access policies, and more.
- Native performance: Your schema compiles down to efficient, faithful Postgres layouts for speed and reliability.
- Built for developers: If traditional databases ever felt like an awkward fit, Gel's flexible design is the solution you've been waiting for.
Iterate on your schema fast. Gel gives you a complete migration system and tools for branching and rapid prototyping.
12345678module default {type User {required username:str; }}
12345678CREATEMIGRATION m1kdtk6ze2irotrxzscsr5hmt55zxv...{ALTERTYPEdefault::User {CREATEREQUIREDPROPERTY email-> std::str {SETREQUIREDUSING ('example@example.com'); }; };};
$More about migrations
- Purpose-built: Gel was designed for migrations from day one, ensuring a robust, intuitive workflow for any project size.
- Framework-agnostic: Learn once, use everywhere—perfect for multi-language or large, distributed teams.
- Interactive migrations: The Gel server and CLI work together to provide a guided, user-friendly migration process.
- Flexible changes: Squash minor tweaks, add custom steps, and easily browse through existing migration history.
- Branch & prototype: Effortlessly experiment with new ideas, then fold them back into your main schema when ready.
Fast and robust client libraries. Zero-config, automatic connection pooling, performance-optimized, and auto-recovery from network and transaction errors.
More about client API's
- Refined API: Gel client libraries offer a clean, consistent interface across multiple programming languages.
- Zero Configuration: No manual setup needed—Gel handles connection pooling and connection options automatically.
- Error resilience: Network and transaction issues are handled gracefully with transparent re-connects and retries.
- Performance-oriented: Designed for high efficiency under load, minimizing latency and overhead.
- Developer-friendly: Minimal boilerplate and clear documentation help teams integrate with ease.
Composable, strictly typed, high-performance—pick three. Gel gives you EdgeQL, a type-safe query builder, and classic SQL/ORM options.
More about queries
- EdgeQL: Gel's own fast, readable, composable, graph-relational language—like if SQL and GraphQL had a child, but with superpowers.
- TypeScript query builder: A super-flexible builder with unparalleled composability and type safety.
- SQL/ORM support: Use standard SQL or plug into your favorite ORM. Gel partnered with Drizzle to create a top-tier JavaScript ORM experience.
- Code generation: Generate type-safe code from .edgeql files in the language of your choice—streamlined for any tech stack.
- Strict typing: Enjoy type-safe queries that reduce bugs and keep your code robust and maintainable.
- GraphQL out of the box: Need even more flexibility? Gel includes native GraphQL support by default.
Don't build an admin panel. Gel comes with a feature rich UI to work with your data & schema, prototype queries, and much more.
More about Gel UI
- Comprehensive: Gel's UI has been evolving alongside its core, ensuring a reliable and fully-featured tool.
- Key features: Schema browser, data editor, query IDE, visual query builder, web-REPL, query performance visualization, and AI/Auth configuration.
- Universal access: Run locally or in the cloud, on desktop browsers or mobile devices—no separate setup required.
Automatic embeddings creation and RAG. With just a few lines in your schema Gel will talk to LLMs give you a ready to go RAG endpoint.
Pick an LLM or configure a custom one.
More about Gel AI
- Seamless opt-in: Enable AI when you're ready—no hidden defaults or dependencies.
- Schema-driven embeddings: Simply annotate your data, and Gel handles embedding creation, storage, and indexing behind the scenes.
- Built-in RAG: Enjoy a native Retrieval Augmented Generation endpoint for instant AI-driven insights, complete with an admin UI for rapid testing.
- Flexible providers: Connect Gel AI to your preferred LLM service, so you can choose the best fit for your use case.
- Scalable & integrated: Combine your AI features with Gel's powerful type system and migrations to build robust, future-proof data solutions.
Auth is a solved problem. OAuth, emails and passwords, magic links, sign in and sign up UI — Gel comes with it all.
More about Gel Auth
- Comprehensive Auth: Gel comes with a complete authentication layer, covering OAuth, email/password, magic links, passkeys, webhooks, and more.
- Single database: Keep all user information in your main database, avoiding any need for external synchronization.
- Built-In UI: Gel provides sign-in and sign-up forms out of the box, speeding up your auth implementation. Use it or build your own UI, the choice is yours.
- Free & Open Source: Gel's Auth is a core part of the product, with no extra fees or licenses.
Gel Cloud is integrated with Vercel and GitHub. Automatic preview deployments, zero-configuration.
More about Gel+Vercel partnership
- Streamlined workflows: Having a robust data model is crucial, but seamless development matters just as much—Gel delivers both.
- Vercel partnership: Gel Cloud's collaboration with Vercel makes production and preview deployments simple and automated.
- GitHub Pull Requests: Integrate Gel Cloud with GitHub to manage deployments directly from your team's PR workflow.
- Zero setup: Configuration is minimal, so developers can focus on building rather than juggling deployment pipelines.
Drop the maintenance burden. Gel runs a fully managed, HA database so you don't have to.
More about Gel Cloud
- Unified platform: Gel's managed service is deeply integrated into every part of the stack, minimizing setup overhead.
- Secure: End-to-end encryption and mandatory TLS in internal traffic protect data at all times.
- AWS-powered: Currently runs on AWS, with plans to expand to additional cloud providers.
- Cost-effective: Provides high availability and management capabilities at a competitive rate, suitable for both startups and enterprises.
Fast
Gel client libraries, network protocol, and the query language are designed for performance.
The most high tech companies in the world run graph architectures on top of SQL. Now you, too, can be high tech.
As a long time hater of MongoDB, I'm pumped to see a real challenger for SQL that goes the other direction. Relations are good!
If you want to use a relational database but you wish there was something beyond SQL, you should check out Gel. As it generates strict types, has async drivers, and has great performance, it's a great DB option for FastAPI apps. And it's built by the same people that created the async Python underpinnings that enable things like FastAPI.
I've been continually impressed by both the ideas behind Gel and the way they've been brought to life.
