# Manage collections

Use the following guides for detailed instructions and concepts related to specific Weaviate features. Learn how to perform basic collection operations, configure vectorizers, integrate models, implement multi-tenancy or multi-node setups, migrate data, and manage cross-references.

::::card-grid
:::card{title="Basic collection operations (CRUD)" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-collection-operations" icon="database"}
Learn how to create, read, update, and delete collections.
:::

:::card{title="Vectorizer and vector settings" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-vector-config" icon="workflow"}
Configure a vectorizer (embedding model), vector indexing parameters, and related settings.
:::

:::card{title="Inverted index" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-inverted-index" icon="network"}
Configure the inverted index for efficient keyword searches and filtering.
:::

:::card{title="Generative and reranker models" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-generative-reranker-models" icon="plug"}
Integrate Weaviate with various model providers like OpenAI, Hugging Face, Cohere, etc.
:::

:::card{title="Multi-tenancy" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-multi-tenancy" icon="users"}
Isolate data for different tenants within a single Weaviate instance.
:::

:::card{title="Multi-node setup" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-multi-node-setup" icon="network"}
Set up and configure Weaviate for high availability and scalability across multiple nodes.
:::

:::card{title="Collection aliases" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-collection-aliases" icon="signpost"}
Use aliases to switch between collections without changing your application code.
:::

:::card{title="Time to live" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-time-to-live" icon="hourglass"}
Set a time-to-live (TTL) for objects to automatically expire and be deleted.
:::

:::card{title="Migrate collections" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-migrate" icon="arrow-left-right"}
Learn strategies and steps for migrating your data schemas and objects.
:::

:::card{title="Cross-references" href="/guides/how-to-manage-collections-cross-references" icon="link"}
Define, manage, and query relationships between objects.
:::
::::

## How collections work

A Weaviate collection is defined by several core components and settings that enable data storage and vector search.
Key elements include:

![Collections in Weaviate](/assets/docs/weaviate/manage-collections/img/weaviate-collections-simplified.png)

- **Objects**:

  - The fundamental units stored within a collection. Each object contains
    data properties and includes vector embeddings representing its
    meaning. (See the
    ['How-to: Manage objects' guide](../how-to-manage-objects/index.md)
    for more details on manipulating objects).

- **AI Model Integrations**:

  - **[Vectorizers (Embedding Models)](vector-config.md)**
    : Generate vector embeddings from object properties to enable semantic
    search.

  - **[Generative models](generative-reranker-models.md)**
    : Used to perform RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), combining retrieved
    data with generative AI capabilities.

  - **[Reranker models](generative-reranker-models.md)**
    : Refine search relevance by re-ordering the initial results from a search
    query.

- **Configuration Settings**:

  - **[Vector index](vector-config.md#set-vector-index-type)**
    : The vector index is used to speed up vector searches.

  - **[Inverted index](inverted-index.md)**
    : Optimizes keyword searches by indexing textual object properties for
    faster lookups.

  - **[Multi-tenancy](multi-tenancy.md)**
    : Enables securely storing data for multiple distinct tenants (users or
    groups) within the same collection instance.

  - **[Aliases](collection-aliases.md)**
    : Use aliases to re-point to different collections without changing your
    application code.

## Questions and feedback

Have a question or feedback? Here's how to reach us.

::::card-grid
:::card{title="Community Forum" href="https://forum.weaviate.io/c/support" icon="messages-square"}
Ask questions and connect with other developers on our **Community forum**.
:::

:::card{title="Support" href="/guides/support-overview" icon="life-buoy"}
Weaviate Cloud user or customer? Find the right channel on the **Support page**.
:::
::::

## Related pages

- [Agents](./agents-index.md)
- [AI-assisted Weaviate code generation](./ai-assisted-vibe-coding-index.md)
- [APIs](./apis-index.md)
- [Authorization and authentication](./authorization-and-authentication-index.md)
- [Benchmarks](./benchmarks-index.md)
- [Best practices](./best-practices-index.md)
- [Client libraries](./clients-index.md)
- [Client Libraries / SDKs](./client-libraries-index.md)
- [Cloud](./cloud-index.md)
- [Cloud account management](./cloud-account-management-index.md)

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