Guodong Jin - Kùzu: A Graph Database Management System for Python Graph Data Science

Kùzu is an embedded graph database management system optimized for Python data science workflows, similar to SQLite/DuckDB but for graph data

Uses labeled property graph model with high-level CYPHER query language, making it easier to express complex patterns like recursive queries and path finding

Designed for seamless integration with Python ecosystem:

• Can import/export data from Pandas DataFrames
• Integrates with NetworkX for graph algorithms
• Supports PyG (PyTorch Geometric) for graph machine learning

Key technical benefits:

• Optimized query execution for graph workloads
• Column storage and multi-core parallelism
• Efficient intermediate result handling to avoid exponential growth
• On-disk storage for larger-than-memory graphs

Native schema support:

• Define node and relationship tables
• Specify properties and primary keys
• Support for semi-structured and heterogeneous data

Suitable for:

• Pattern finding and recursive queries
• Community detection
• Recommendations
• Fraud detection
• Knowledge graph applications

Open source (MIT license) with focus on:

• Easy installation as Python package
• No separate server setup required
• Integration with data science workflows

Includes built-in web explorer for query visualization and schema management