---
title: Language Reference
description: Task-focused reference pages for Hen authoring syntax, selectors, assertions, and protocols.
slug: /reference
---
Hen's web reference is organized as task-focused pages so you can jump directly to the part of the
language you are authoring.
## Reference Sections
- [Variables and environments](./variables-and-environments.md)
- [Secrets and redaction](./secrets-and-redaction.md)
- [Requests and bodies](./requests-and-bodies.md)
- [Reliability](./reliability.md)
- [JSON selection](./json-selection.md)
- [Captures and assertions](./captures-and-assertions.md)
- [Protocols](./protocols.md)
- [Schemas](./schemas.md)
- [Dependencies, fragments, and callbacks](./dependencies-fragments-callbacks.md)
## Suggested Path
- Start with [Getting Started](../getting-started/index.md) or the
[Syntax Cheatsheet](../getting-started/syntax-cheatsheet.md) when you want the basics first.
- Start with [Variables and environments](./variables-and-environments.md) when you are defining
inputs, prompts, or named environments.
- Use [Requests and bodies](./requests-and-bodies.md), [Reliability](./reliability.md), and
[Captures and assertions](./captures-and-assertions.md) for ordinary HTTP authoring.
- Use [Protocols](./protocols.md) when you need GraphQL, SSE, or WebSocket behavior.
- Use [Recipes](../recipes/index.md) when you want runnable collections alongside the reference.