Using HELIX with DDx

DDx is the reference runtime integration for HELIX. Use it when you want HELIX’s document patterns connected to a dependency-aware tracker, an agent harness, and recorded execution evidence.

DDx is not required to use HELIX. It is one runtime that knows how to execute HELIX-shaped work.

Install the Reference Runtime

Install DDx, then install the HELIX package into DDx:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/DocumentDrivenDX/ddx/main/install.sh | bash
ddx install helix

You will also need an agent CLI supported by your local DDx setup, such as Claude Code or Codex.

Shape Work

Start by asking your agent to frame your intent into governed artifacts and work items. In an agent session with HELIX skills installed:

Use /helix frame to frame "Build a REST API for managing bookmarks".

That skill turns sparse intent into Markdown artifacts plus tracked work that DDx can claim and execute.

You can also create DDx work items directly:

ddx bead create "Add OAuth login flow" --type task \
  --labels helix,activity:build --set spec-id=FEAT-001 \
  --acceptance "OAuth login redirects to provider and returns a session token"

Execute with DDx

Once the artifacts and work items are ready, use DDx to drain the queue:

ddx work

DDx claims ready work, dispatches the configured agent harness, records execution evidence, and closes completed items.

For one bounded pass:

ddx work --once

Interactive Agent Use

In an agent session with HELIX skills installed, you can steer DDx-backed work with natural language:

Use HELIX to frame OAuth support, create the governed work items, and then run
one bounded DDx execution pass.

Or invoke integration commands directly if your agent exposes them:

Related Reading

• Start with the portable Getting Started guide.
• Browse the artifact-type catalog for HELIX templates.
• Review HELIX’s own example docs to see how this repository applies the method to itself.