Helidon

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Get Started ​

Quick Start ​

If you want to jump in and give Helidon a try make sure you satisfy the prerequisites. Then:

  1. Download the Helidon CLI
  2. Create a Helidon SE project
    shell
    helidon init --batch -Dflavor=se -Dapp-type=quickstart
  3. Build it
    shell
    cd quickstart-se; mvn clean install
  4. Run it
    shell
    java -jar target/quickstart-se.jar
  5. Try it

Congratulations! You now have a simple service up and running using Helidon. If you prefer to use MicroProfile APIs replace se with mp in the commands above. If you prefer not to install the Helidon CLI you can use the Helidon Starter.

In More Detail ​

Helidon is a framework for developing microservices in Java. As such, you don’t install Helidon itself. Instead, you install the tools necessary to create an environment suitable for developing Helidon projects and applications.

System Requirements ​

You must have Java and Maven installed on your system to use Helidon.

RequirementDescription
Java SE 21 (Open JDK 21)Helidon requires Java 21+ (25+ recommended).
Maven 3.8+Helidon requires Maven 3.8+.

NOTE

Most of Helidon's examples use Maven, but Helidon can also be used with Gradle.

Verify System Requirements

bash
java -version
mvn --version

Set the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable ​

Make sure you set the JAVA_HOME environment variable.

Set JAVA_HOME on Linux

bash
# Enter the appropriate path to your JDK
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/jdk-25

Set JAVA_HOME on macOS

bash
# Enter the appropriate path to your JDK
export JAVA_HOME=`/usr/libexec/java_home -v 25`

Set JAVA_HOME on Windows

cmd
# Enter the appropriate path to your JDK
setx JAVA_HOME=C:\\PROGRA~1\\Java\\jdk-25

Next Steps ​

Now that your environment is set up, you can get started with Helidon. Try out the Helidon MP and Helidon SE Quick Start tutorials to build your first Helidon project and application.

TIP

Read About Helidon to help you understand the differences between Helidon MP and Helidon SE.