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Learn Actian VectorAI DB through practical, task-focused tutorials. Each tutorial teaches specific skills you can apply immediately to your projects.

Choose your learning path

Use this flowchart to find the tutorial track that matches your goals:

Getting started

Build foundational skills by creating your first VectorAI DB application.

Build your first application

Create a complete semantic search application from scratch. Learn to connect, store vectors, and query data.

Core features

Master the essential features for production vector search applications.

Similarity search fundamentals

Learn the core vector search workflow — from embedding and storing vectors to searching, scoring, batching, and paginating results.

Predicate filters

Combine vector search with structured payload filters using the type-safe Filter DSL and logical operators.

Build a RAG pipeline

Create a Retrieval-Augmented Generation system that answers questions from your documents with context-aware AI responses.

Advanced topics

Take your skills further with advanced techniques and architectures.

Use open-source embedding models

Choose, configure, and integrate Sentence Transformers, BGE, and other open-source models. Covers dimensionality trade-offs, quantization, and re-embedding workflows.

Build multi-modal systems

Store, search, and fuse text, image, and metadata embeddings in a single collection using named vectors, multi-stage prefetch, and server-side fusion.

Re-rank search results

Improve search relevance with multi-stage prefetch pipelines, cross-encoder scoring, payload-based boosting, and fusion re-ranking.

Optimize retrieval quality

Measure and improve search accuracy by tuning HNSW parameters, distance metrics, quantization, score thresholds, and payload indexes.

Build adaptive RAG systems

Create RAG pipelines that adapt retrieval strategy at runtime based on query type, confidence signals, and user feedback.
Follow this sequence to build skills progressively. Start with the beginner tutorials to build a strong foundation — each tutorial builds on concepts from previous ones, so following the recommended order helps you learn efficiently.
StageTutorialSkills learned
1Build your first applicationConnection, basic operations, search fundamentals
2Similarity search fundamentalsSearch patterns, score thresholds, batch queries
3Predicate filtersMetadata filtering, logical operators, combined queries
4Build a RAG pipelineDocument chunking, retrieval, LLM integration
5Use open-source embedding modelsModel selection, dimensionality, quantization
6Build multi-modal systemsNamed vectors, multi-stage prefetch, fusion
7Re-rank search resultsTwo-stage retrieval, cross-encoders, result optimization
8Optimize retrieval qualityEvaluation metrics, HNSW tuning, benchmarking
9Build adaptive RAG systemsQuery classification, dynamic retrieval, self-correction

Time estimates

Use these estimates to plan your learning sessions and choose tutorials that fit your available time.
TutorialDurationDifficulty
Build your first application15 minBeginner
Similarity search fundamentals20 minBeginner
Predicate filters25 minIntermediate
Build a RAG pipeline30 minIntermediate
Use open-source embedding models25 minIntermediate
Build multi-modal systems35 minAdvanced
Re-rank search results30 minAdvanced
Optimize retrieval quality30 minAdvanced
Build adaptive RAG systems40 minAdvanced