# User guide

Build an Edge AI workflow with the components you need. Choose a task below for practical guidance, then use the API reference for exact parameters and contracts.

## Build the model

- [Choose an architecture](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/architectures/): Compare model families for signals, images and task-specific workloads.
- [Configure your model](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/architectures/#describe-an-architecture-with-a-modelspec): Define construction parameters and keep configuration separate from trained weights.
- [Import weights](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/import-weights/): Load weights trained in ONNX, safetensors or PyTorch through a checked mapping pinned to the source file.

## Prepare the data

- [Preprocessing and augmentation](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/preprocessing/): Select transforms and keep signals, targets and masks aligned.
- [Build an input pipeline](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/input-pipeline/): Read records with Grain for either backend, or turn Python generators into TensorFlow datasets.
[Work with structured samples](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/portable-preprocessing/)
[Extend preprocessing](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/preprocessing-contracts/)

## Train and evaluate

- [Training and callbacks](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/training/): Combine Keras training with progress reporting and specialized objectives.
- [Metrics and evaluation](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/evaluation/): Choose classification or signal metrics and inspect model predictions.
[Train a masked autoencoder](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/masked-autoencoders/)

## Save and deploy

- [Save and load models](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/serialization/): Preserve weights and configuration, and restore custom Keras components.
- [Export and quantization](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/export/): Convert a TensorFlow-backed model to LiteRT and validate the converted predictions.

## Reference and support

Find a specific component, check backend boundaries or set up a contribution.

[Browse Python APIs](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/reference/)
[Check backend support](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/getting-started/backends/)
[Development setup](https://ambiqai.github.io/helia-edge/guide/development/)