diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# Revision history for HTree
+
+## 0.1.0.0 -- 2024-07-21
+
+* initial release
diff --git a/LICENSE b/LICENSE
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE
@@ -0,0 +1,661 @@
+                    GNU AFFERO GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
+                       Version 3, 19 November 2007
+
+ Copyright (C) 2007 Free Software Foundation, Inc. <https://fsf.org/>
+ Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
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+
+                            Preamble
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+
+  16. Limitation of Liability.
+
+  IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING
+WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MODIFIES AND/OR CONVEYS
+THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY
+GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE
+USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF
+DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD
+PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAMS),
+EVEN IF SUCH HOLDER OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
+SUCH DAMAGES.
+
+  17. Interpretation of Sections 15 and 16.
+
+  If the disclaimer of warranty and limitation of liability provided
+above cannot be given local legal effect according to their terms,
+reviewing courts shall apply local law that most closely approximates
+an absolute waiver of all civil liability in connection with the
+Program, unless a warranty or assumption of liability accompanies a
+copy of the Program in return for a fee.
+
+                     END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
+
+            How to Apply These Terms to Your New Programs
+
+  If you develop a new program, and you want it to be of the greatest
+possible use to the public, the best way to achieve this is to make it
+free software which everyone can redistribute and change under these terms.
+
+  To do so, attach the following notices to the program.  It is safest
+to attach them to the start of each source file to most effectively
+state the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least
+the "copyright" line and a pointer to where the full notice is found.
+
+    <one line to give the program's name and a brief idea of what it does.>
+    Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
+
+    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+    it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+    GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
+
+  If your software can interact with users remotely through a computer
+network, you should also make sure that it provides a way for users to
+get its source.  For example, if your program is a web application, its
+interface could display a "Source" link that leads users to an archive
+of the code.  There are many ways you could offer source, and different
+solutions will be better for different programs; see section 13 for the
+specific requirements.
+
+  You should also get your employer (if you work as a programmer) or school,
+if any, to sign a "copyright disclaimer" for the program, if necessary.
+For more information on this, and how to apply and follow the GNU AGPL, see
+<https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+
+[![built with nix](https://img.shields.io/badge/built%20with-nix-%235277C3?logo=nixos)](https://nixos.org/)
+[![built on haskell](https://img.shields.io/badge/built%20on-haskell-%235D4F85?logo=haskell)](https://www.haskell.org/)
+![ci](https://ci.mangoiv.com/api/badges/5/status.svg)
+[![haddock](https://img.shields.io/badge/haddock-mangoiv.com-e0b0ff)](https://mangoiv.com/htree)
+
+# `htree`: heterogeneous rose tree 
+
+This library implements a heterogeneous rose-tree (`HTree`) that is indexed by a
+type-level rosetree (`TyTree`). 
+
+It also offers some useful functions, highlights include:
+- searching in the tree and creating evidence on the term-level via typeclasses
+- record-dot syntax for accessing elements in the tree.
+- mapping and traversing trees
+
+## to develop
+
+- with `direnv`: `direnv allow` 
+- only with nix: `nix develop`
+- to run all checks: `nix flake check -Lv`
+  systems configurations
+- build with nix `nix build` (or on `ghc96`, `nix build .#ghc96-htree`)
+- documentation in the form of continuously deployed haddock can be found at [mangoiv.srht.site](https://mangoiv.srht.site/htree/index.html)
+
+## example
+
+```haskell
+pattern I :: forall a. a -> Identity a
+pattern I a = Identity a
+
+-- the type that the tree is going to be indexed by
+type Ex =
+  TyNode Int
+   [ TyNode Int
+       [ TyNode Int '[]
+       , TyNode Bool '[]
+       , TyNode String '[ TyNode Int '[]]
+       ]
+    , TyNode Int '[]
+    ]
+
+-- we create an HTree of the example type 'Ex'
+ex :: HTree Identity Ex
+ex =
+  HNode 5 do
+    HNode 12 do
+      HNode 13 HNil
+        ::: HNode (I False) HNil
+        ::: HNode "test" (HNode 9 HNil ::: HNil)
+        ::: HNil
+      ::: HNode 43 HNil
+      ::: HNil
+    
+
+-- we can create a labeled Tree and search via DFS and BFS in it
+-- the search happens on the type-level
+type LabeledTree = TyNodeL "top" Int
+  [ TyNodeL "inter" Int '[ TyNodeL "foo" Int '[] ]
+  , TyNodeL "foo" Int '[]
+  ]
+
+-- >>> getElem @'DFS @"foo" @Int Proxy labeledTree
+-- Identity 69
+-- >>> getElem @'BFS @"foo" @Int Proxy labeledTree
+-- Identity 67
+labeledTree :: HTree Identity LabeledTree
+labeledTree = 42 `HNodeL` HNodeL 4 (HNodeL 69 HNil ::: HNil) ::: HNodeL 67 HNil ::: HNil
+```
diff --git a/htree.cabal b/htree.cabal
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/htree.cabal
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+cabal-version:   3.4
+name:            htree
+tested-with:     GHC ==9.2.8 || ==9.4.8 || ==9.6.4 || ==9.8.1
+version:         0.1.1.0
+synopsis:
+  a library to build and work with heterogeneous, type level indexed rose trees
+
+description:
+  This library implements a heterogeneous rose-tree (HTree) that is indexed by a type-level rosetree (TyTree).
+
+  It also offers some useful functions, highlights include:
+
+      searching in the tree and creating evidence on the term-level via typeclasses
+      record-dot syntax for accessing elements in the tree.
+      mapping and traversing trees
+
+license:         AGPL-3.0-or-later
+license-file:    LICENSE
+author:          mangoiv
+maintainer:      contact@mangoiv.com
+category:        Data
+build-type:      Simple
+extra-doc-files:
+  CHANGELOG.md
+  README.md
+
+common warnings-and-imports
+  ghc-options:
+    -Wall -fprint-explicit-kinds -fprint-explicit-foralls
+    -Wno-unticked-promoted-constructors -Wunused-packages
+
+  default-extensions:
+    BlockArguments
+    DataKinds
+    DerivingStrategies
+    FunctionalDependencies
+    GADTs
+    LambdaCase
+    NoStarIsType
+    OverloadedLists
+    OverloadedStrings
+    PatternSynonyms
+    QuantifiedConstraints
+    TypeFamilies
+    ViewPatterns
+
+  build-depends:      base >=4.16 && <5
+
+library
+  import:           warnings-and-imports
+  exposed-modules:
+    Data.HTree
+    Data.HTree.Constraint
+    Data.HTree.Existential
+    Data.HTree.Families
+    Data.HTree.Labeled
+    Data.HTree.List
+    Data.HTree.Tree
+
+  hs-source-dirs:   src
+  default-language: GHC2021
+
+test-suite htree-test
+  import:           warnings-and-imports
+  default-language: GHC2021
+  other-modules:
+    Spec.HTree.Fixtures
+    Spec.HTree.Fold
+    Spec.HTree.Helpers
+    Spec.HTree.Labeled
+    Spec.HTree.Orphans
+    Spec.HTree.TH
+    Spec.HTree.Traverse
+
+  type:             exitcode-stdio-1.0
+  hs-source-dirs:   test
+  main-is:          Main.hs
+  build-depends:
+    , containers
+    , hspec
+    , htree
+    , QuickCheck
+    , quickcheck-instances
+    , template-haskell
+    , th-compat
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree.hs b/src/Data/HTree.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+-- | a module for useful reexports from the modules
+module Data.HTree
+  ( -- * lists
+    HL.HList (..)
+
+    -- * trees
+  , HT.HTree (..)
+  , pattern L.HNodeL
+  , HT.TyTree (..)
+  , type L.TyNodeL
+
+    -- ** mapping a tree
+  , HT.hmap
+  , HT.hcmap
+
+    -- ** traversing a tree
+  , HT.htraverse
+  , HT.hctraverse
+
+    -- ** folding a tree
+
+    -- *** value level
+  , HT.hFoldMap
+  , HT.hcFoldMap
+  , HT.hFlatten
+
+    -- *** type level
+  , HT.FlattenTree
+  , HT.FlattenForest
+
+    -- ** searching a tree
+  , L.Labeled (..)
+  , L.HasField (..)
+  , L.getElem
+
+    -- * useful reexports
+  , Re.Proxy (..)
+  , Re.Type
+  , Re.Constraint
+  , Re.Dict
+  , pattern Re.Dict
+  , Re.withDict
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.HTree.Constraint qualified as Re
+import Data.HTree.Labeled qualified as L
+import Data.HTree.List qualified as HL
+import Data.HTree.Tree qualified as HT
+import Data.Kind qualified as Re
+import Data.Proxy qualified as Re
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/Constraint.hs b/src/Data/HTree/Constraint.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/Constraint.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableSuperClasses #-}
+
+-- | A couple of types to work with Constraints
+module Data.HTree.Constraint
+  ( -- * proving a constraint
+    Has (..)
+
+    -- ** synonyms for proving a constraint
+  , HasTypeable
+  , HasIs
+
+    -- ** helpers to work with constraints
+  , proves
+  , Charge
+
+    -- * Dict
+  , type Dict
+  , pattern Dict
+
+    -- ** functions for working with 'Dict's
+  , withDict
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.Kind (Constraint, Type)
+import Data.Proxy (Proxy (Proxy))
+import Type.Reflection (Typeable)
+
+-- | a functor useful for proving a constraint for some type
+--
+-- >>> import Data.Functor.Identity
+-- >>> Proves @Eq (Identity (5 :: Int))
+-- Proves (Identity 5)
+type Has :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> (k -> Type) -> k -> Type
+data Has c f k where
+  Proves :: c k => f k -> Has c f k
+
+-- | transform a 'Constraint' in something of kind @k -> 'Constraint'@ to be
+--   able to use it in 'Has'
+type Charge :: Constraint -> k -> Constraint
+class c => Charge c a
+
+instance c => Charge c a
+
+-- | a Dict witnesses some constraint
+type Dict :: Constraint -> Type
+type Dict c = Has (Charge c) Proxy ()
+
+-- | match on a 'Dict'
+pattern Dict :: forall (c :: Constraint). forall. c => Dict c
+pattern Dict = Proves Proxy
+
+{-# COMPLETE Dict #-}
+
+-- | destructing a 'Dict'
+withDict :: Dict c -> (c => r) -> r
+withDict d k = proves d (const k)
+
+-- | destruct a 'Has'
+proves :: Has c f a -> (c a => f a -> r) -> r
+proves (Proves x) k = k x
+
+-- | 'Has' but specialised to 'Typeable'
+type HasTypeable :: (k -> Type) -> k -> Type
+type HasTypeable = Has Typeable
+
+-- | 'Has' but specialised to a constant type, @Some (HasIs k f)@ is isomorphic to @f k@
+type HasIs :: k -> (k -> Type) -> k -> Type
+type HasIs k = Has ((~) k)
+
+deriving stock instance Show (f k) => Show (Has c f k)
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/Existential.hs b/src/Data/HTree/Existential.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/Existential.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableInstances #-}
+
+-- | Existential types and helpers to work with existentials 'HList's and 'HTree's
+module Data.HTree.Existential
+  ( -- * existential data types
+    Some (..)
+  , Some2 (..)
+
+    -- * existential type synonyms
+  , ETree
+  , EList
+
+    -- * working with existential HTrees/HLists functions
+  , with
+  , with2
+  , withSomeHTree
+  , withSomeHList
+  , hcFoldEHList
+  , hcFoldMapEHTree
+
+    -- * useful functors to work with existential type-level structures
+  , Has (..)
+  , HasTypeable
+  , HasIs
+
+    -- ** working with 'Has'
+  , withProves
+  , prodHas
+  , flipHas
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.HTree.Constraint (Has (Proves), HasIs, HasTypeable, proves)
+import Data.HTree.Families (Both)
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HCons, HNil))
+import Data.HTree.Tree (HTree (HNode))
+import Data.Kind (Type)
+import Type.Reflection (SomeTypeRep (SomeTypeRep), Typeable, eqTypeRep, typeOf, (:~~:) (HRefl))
+
+-- | a Some type that takes an arity one type constructor, this is for completeness
+type Some :: forall l. (l -> Type) -> Type
+data Some g where
+  MkSome :: g k -> Some g
+
+-- | take some existentai arity one type constructor and a function that takes the
+--   non-existential one and returns some @r@ and return an @r@
+with :: forall {l} (g :: l -> Type) r. Some g -> (forall m. g m -> r) -> r
+with (MkSome a) f = f a
+
+-- | a Some type that take an arity two type constructor, this is necessary
+--   so that we avoid using composition on the type level or having visible
+--   parameters to the type synonyms
+type Some2 :: forall k l. (k -> l -> Type) -> k -> Type
+data Some2 g f where
+  MkSome2 :: g f k -> Some2 g f
+
+-- | take some existential arity two type constructor and a function that takes the
+--   non-existential one and returns some @r@ and return an @r@
+with2
+  :: forall {k} {l} (g :: k -> l -> Type) (f :: k) r
+   . Some2 g f
+  -> (forall m. g f m -> r)
+  -> r
+with2 (MkSome2 a) f = f a
+
+-- | HTree but the type level tree is existential
+type ETree :: forall k. (k -> Type) -> Type
+type ETree = Some2 HTree
+
+-- | HList but the type level list is existential
+type EList :: forall k. (k -> Type) -> Type
+type EList = Some2 HList
+
+-- | 'with2' specialized to 'HTree's
+withSomeHTree :: ETree f -> (forall t. HTree f t -> r) -> r
+withSomeHTree = with2
+
+-- | 'with2' specialized to 'HList's
+withSomeHList :: EList f -> (forall xs. HList f xs -> r) -> r
+withSomeHList = with2
+
+-- | fold over existential hlists
+hcFoldEHList
+  :: forall c f y
+   . (forall x. c x => f x -> y -> y)
+  -> y
+  -> EList (Has c f)
+  -> y
+hcFoldEHList f def el = with2 el \case
+  HNil -> def
+  HCons (Proves x) xs ->
+    let y = hcFoldEHList f def (MkSome2 xs)
+     in f x y
+
+-- | fold over existential htrees
+hcFoldMapEHTree
+  :: forall c f y
+   . Semigroup y
+  => (forall a. c a => f a -> y)
+  -> ETree (Has c f)
+  -> y
+hcFoldMapEHTree f et = with2 et \case
+  HNode (Proves x) HNil -> f x
+  HNode x@(Proves _) (y `HCons` ys) ->
+    hcFoldMapEHTree f (MkSome2 y)
+      <> hcFoldMapEHTree f (MkSome2 (HNode x ys))
+
+-- | destruct 'Some', destruct 'Has'
+withProves :: Some (Has c f) -> (forall a. c a => f a -> r) -> r
+withProves x k = with x (`proves` k)
+
+-- | condens the 'Has' constraints in an existential
+prodHas :: forall c1 c2 f. Some (Has c1 (Has c2 f)) -> Some (Has (Both c1 c2) f)
+prodHas x = withProves x \pc2 -> proves pc2 (MkSome . Proves)
+
+-- | flip the constraints in an existential
+flipHas :: forall c1 c2 f. Some (Has c1 (Has c2 f)) -> Some (Has c2 (Has c1 f))
+flipHas x = withProves (prodHas x) (MkSome . Proves . Proves)
+
+deriving stock instance (forall k. Show (g f k)) => Show (Some2 g f)
+
+deriving stock instance (forall k. Show (g k)) => Show (Some g)
+
+instance {-# OVERLAPPING #-} Typeable f => Show (Some (Has Typeable f)) where
+  show (MkSome (Proves f)) =
+    "(MkSome (Proves @Typeable " <> show (typeOf f) <> "))"
+
+instance
+  (forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x), Typeable f)
+  => Eq (ETree (Has (Both Typeable Eq) f))
+  where
+  ex == ey =
+    with2 ex \x -> with2 ey \y ->
+      case (x, y) of
+        (HNode (Proves m) ms, HNode (Proves n) ns) ->
+          case eqTypeRep (typeOf m) (typeOf n) of
+            Nothing -> False
+            Just HRefl ->
+              let go
+                    :: forall xs ys
+                     . HList (HTree (Has (Both Typeable Eq) f)) xs
+                    -> HList (HTree (Has (Both Typeable Eq) f)) ys
+                    -> Bool
+                  go HNil HNil = True
+                  go (m' `HCons` ms') (n' `HCons` ns') =
+                    MkSome2 m' == MkSome2 n' && go ms' ns'
+                  go _ _ = False
+               in m == n && go ms ns
+
+instance
+  (forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x), Typeable f)
+  => Eq (EList (Has (Both Typeable Eq) f))
+  where
+  ex == ey =
+    with2 ex \x -> with2 ey \y ->
+      case (x, y) of
+        (HNil, HNil) -> True
+        (HCons (Proves x') xs', HCons (Proves y') ys') ->
+          case eqTypeRep (typeOf x') (typeOf y') of
+            Nothing -> False
+            Just HRefl -> x' == y' && MkSome2 xs' == MkSome2 ys'
+        (_, _) -> False
+
+instance Eq (f k) => Eq (EList (HasIs k f)) where
+  ex == ey =
+    with2 ex \x -> with2 ey \y ->
+      case (x, y) of
+        (HNil, HNil) -> True
+        (HCons (Proves x') xs', HCons (Proves y') ys') ->
+          (x' == y') && MkSome2 xs' == MkSome2 ys'
+        (_, _) -> False
+
+instance
+  ( forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x)
+  , Typeable f
+  )
+  => Eq (Some (Has Typeable (Has Eq f)))
+  where
+  MkSome (Proves (Proves x1)) == MkSome (Proves (Proves x2)) =
+    case eqTypeRep (typeOf x1) (typeOf x2) of
+      Just HRefl -> x1 == x2
+      Nothing -> False
+
+instance
+  ( forall x. Ord x => Ord (f x)
+  , Typeable f
+  , Eq (Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+  )
+  => Ord (Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+  where
+  MkSome (Proves (Proves x1)) `compare` MkSome (Proves (Proves x2)) =
+    case eqTypeRep (typeOf x1) (typeOf x2) of
+      Just HRefl -> x1 `compare` x2
+      Nothing -> SomeTypeRep (typeOf x1) `compare` SomeTypeRep (typeOf x2)
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/Families.hs b/src/Data/HTree/Families.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/Families.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableInstances #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableSuperClasses #-}
+
+-- | generic types and type families used in some of the modules
+module Data.HTree.Families
+  ( All
+  , AllC
+  , AllInv
+  , Both
+  , Not
+  , Top
+  , type (++)
+  , type (||)
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.Kind (Constraint)
+
+-- | like 'Prelude.(++)' on the value level but on the type level
+type (++) :: forall k. [k] -> [k] -> [k]
+type family xs ++ ys where
+  '[] ++ ys = ys
+  (x : xs) ++ ys = x : xs ++ ys
+
+-- | typelevel Or
+type (||) :: Bool -> Bool -> Bool
+type family a || b where
+  'True || b = 'True
+  'False || b = b
+
+-- | like All but can be partially applied
+type AllC :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> [k] -> Constraint
+class All c xs => AllC c xs
+
+instance All c xs => AllC c xs
+
+-- | for all elements of a list, a contraint holds
+type All :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> [k] -> Constraint
+type family All c xs where
+  All c '[] = ()
+  All c (x : xs) = (c x, All c xs)
+
+-- | the class that every type has an instance for
+type Top :: k -> Constraint
+class Top k
+
+instance Top k
+
+-- | like 'not' but on the type level
+type Not :: Bool -> Bool
+type family Not a where
+  Not 'True = 'False
+  Not 'False = 'True
+
+infixr 5 ++
+
+-- | 'All' but inversed: holds if all constraints in the list hold
+type AllInv :: [k -> Constraint] -> k -> Constraint
+class AllInv l k
+
+instance AllInv '[] k
+
+instance (c k, AllInv cs k) => AllInv (c ': cs) k
+
+-- | product of two classes
+type Both :: (k -> Constraint) -> (k -> Constraint) -> k -> Constraint
+class (c1 a, c2 a) => Both c1 c2 a
+
+instance (c1 a, c2 a) => Both c1 c2 a
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/Labeled.hs b/src/Data/HTree/Labeled.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/Labeled.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,178 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableInstances #-}
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-orphans #-}
+
+-- | This module implements a search in a typelevel tree
+--   and offers a handy interface via @-XOverloaedRecordDot@ and 'GHC.Records.HasField'.
+--   We can search in the tree via BFS or DFS.
+--   Performance wise this doesn't make a difference, as the search is performed at
+--   compile time anyway however, it can change the semantics if the tree contains an
+--   element more than once, see the example in 'getElem'.
+module Data.HTree.Labeled
+  ( -- * Interface
+
+    -- ** Labeled types
+    Labeled (..)
+  , pattern HNodeL
+  , pattern HLeafL
+  , type TyNodeL
+
+    -- ** Getting elements
+  , getElem
+  , getElem'
+  , SearchStrategy (..)
+
+    -- ** Reexports
+  , HasField (..)
+  , Proxy (..)
+
+    -- * Internal
+  , HasField' (..)
+  , Decide (..)
+  , Elem
+  , AnyElem
+  , getElemWithPath
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.HTree.Families (Not, type (||))
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HCons, HNil))
+import Data.HTree.Tree (HForest, HTree (HNode), Path (Deeper, Farther, Here), TyForest, TyTree (TyNode))
+import Data.Kind (Constraint, Type)
+import Data.Proxy (Proxy (Proxy))
+import GHC.Generics (Generic)
+import GHC.Records (HasField (getField))
+
+-- | a type syonym that allows for easy construction of TyTrees that have labeled nodes
+type TyNodeL l a = 'TyNode (Labeled l a)
+
+-- | a pattern that allows for direct construction and destruction of nodes with
+--   labels
+pattern HNodeL :: forall l a f ts. Functor f => f a -> HForest f ts -> HTree f ('TyNode (Labeled l a) ts)
+pattern HNodeL x ts <- (HNode (fmap unLabel -> x) ts)
+  where
+    HNodeL x ts = HNode (MkLabeled <$> x) ts
+
+{-# COMPLETE HNodeL #-}
+
+-- | a labeled HNode Leaf
+pattern HLeafL :: forall l a f. Functor f => f a -> HTree f ('TyNode (Labeled l a) '[])
+pattern HLeafL x <- (HNode (fmap unLabel -> x) HNil)
+  where
+    HLeafL x = HNode (MkLabeled <$> x) HNil
+
+-- | a newtype that is labeled with some typelevel tag
+type Labeled :: forall l. l -> Type -> Type
+newtype Labeled l a = MkLabeled {unLabel :: a}
+  deriving stock (Show, Eq, Ord, Functor, Foldable, Traversable, Generic)
+
+-- | gets an element given a path into the tree
+getElemWithPath :: forall typ t f. Path typ t -> HTree f t -> f typ
+getElemWithPath Here (HNode e _) = e
+getElemWithPath (Farther pt) (HNode e (_ `HCons` ts)) = getElemWithPath pt (HNode e ts)
+getElemWithPath (Deeper pt) (HNode _ (t `HCons` _)) = getElemWithPath pt t
+
+-- | searches a tree for an element and returns that element
+getElem' :: forall {proxy} strat typ t f. HasField' (strat :: SearchStrategy) typ t => proxy strat -> HTree f t -> f typ
+getElem' _ = getElemWithPath (evidence @strat @typ @t Proxy)
+
+-- | searches a tree for an element and returns that element, specialised to 'Labeled' and unwraps
+--
+-- >>> import Data.Functor.Identity
+-- >>> type T = TyNodeL "top" Int [ TyNodeL "inter" Int '[ TyNodeL "foo" Int '[]], TyNodeL "foo" Int '[]]
+-- >>> t :: HTree Identity T = 42 `HNodeL` HNodeL 4 (HNodeL 69 HNil `HCons` HNil) `HCons` HNodeL 67 HNil `HCons` HNil
+-- >>> getElem @'DFS @"foo" @Int Proxy t
+-- Identity 69
+-- >>> getElem @'BFS @"foo" @Int Proxy t
+-- Identity 67
+getElem
+  :: forall {proxy} strat l typ t f
+   . ( HasField' (strat :: SearchStrategy) (Labeled l typ) t
+     , Functor f
+     )
+  => proxy strat
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> f typ
+getElem _ = fmap unLabel . getElemWithPath (evidence @strat @(Labeled l typ) @t Proxy)
+
+-- the default behaviour is a breadth first search
+instance (HasField' 'BFS (Labeled l typ) t, Functor f) => HasField l (HTree f t) (f typ) where
+  getField = getElem @'BFS @l @typ @t Proxy
+
+-- | simple typelevel predicate that tests whether some element is in a tree
+type Elem :: forall k. k -> TyTree k -> Bool
+type family Elem typ t where
+  Elem a ('TyNode a ts) = 'True
+  Elem a ('TyNode a' ts) = AnyElem a ts
+  Elem a t = 'False
+
+-- | typelevel predicate that tests whether the element is in any of the
+--   subtrees
+type AnyElem :: forall k. k -> TyForest k -> Bool
+type family AnyElem typ ts where
+  AnyElem a (t : ts) = Elem a t || AnyElem a ts
+  AnyElem a '[] = 'False
+
+-- | the search strategy used in 'HasField'', this is intended to be used only as a DataKind
+type SearchStrategy :: Type
+data SearchStrategy = DFS | BFS
+
+-- | This is the helper class that creates evidence,
+--   it implements a DFS together with Decide
+type HasField' :: SearchStrategy -> Type -> TyTree Type -> Constraint
+class HasField' strat typ t | strat t -> typ where
+  evidence :: forall {proxy}. proxy strat -> Path typ t
+
+-- | Together with HasField' implements a DFS in the tree
+type Decide :: SearchStrategy -> Bool -> Type -> TyTree Type -> Constraint
+class Decide strat elem typ t | strat t -> typ where
+  evidence' :: forall {proxy :: forall k. k -> Type}. proxy strat -> proxy elem -> Path typ t
+
+instance HasField' 'DFS typ ('TyNode typ (t : ts)) where
+  evidence _ = Here
+
+instance HasField' 'BFS typ ('TyNode typ (t : ts)) where
+  evidence _ = Here
+
+instance HasField' 'DFS typ ('TyNode typ '[]) where
+  evidence _ = Here
+
+instance HasField' 'BFS typ ('TyNode typ '[]) where
+  evidence _ = Here
+
+instance
+  {-# OVERLAPPABLE #-}
+  Decide
+    'BFS
+    (AnyElem typ ts)
+    typ
+    ('TyNode typ' (t : ts))
+  => HasField' 'BFS typ ('TyNode typ' (t : ts))
+  where
+  evidence _ = evidence' @'BFS @(AnyElem typ ts) @typ @('TyNode typ' (t : ts)) Proxy Proxy
+
+instance
+  {-# OVERLAPPABLE #-}
+  Decide
+    'DFS
+    (Not (Elem typ t))
+    typ
+    ('TyNode typ' (t : ts))
+  => HasField' 'DFS typ ('TyNode typ' (t : ts))
+  where
+  evidence _ = evidence' @'DFS @(Not (Elem typ t)) @typ @('TyNode typ' (t : ts)) Proxy Proxy
+
+instance
+  HasField' strat typ t
+  => Decide strat 'False typ ('TyNode typ' (t : ts'))
+  where
+  evidence' _ _ = Deeper (evidence @strat @typ @t Proxy)
+
+instance
+  HasField' strat typ ('TyNode typ' ts)
+  => Decide strat 'True typ ('TyNode typ' (t' : ts))
+  where
+  evidence' _ _ = Farther (evidence @strat @typ @('TyNode typ' ts) Proxy)
+
+infixr 4 `HNodeL`
+
+infixr 4 `TyNodeL`
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/List.hs b/src/Data/HTree/List.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/List.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-unrecognised-pragmas #-}
+
+{-# HLINT ignore "Eta reduce" #-}
+
+-- | implements a heterogeneous list to use for forests of heterogeneous trees
+module Data.HTree.List
+  ( -- * heterogeneous list
+    HList ((:::), HSing, ..)
+
+    -- * mapping
+  , hcmap
+  , hmap
+
+    -- * traversing
+  , htraverse
+  , hctraverse
+
+    -- * folding
+  , hcFold
+
+    -- * helpers
+  , allTopHList
+  , hconcat
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.Functor.Identity (Identity (Identity, runIdentity))
+import Data.HTree.Constraint (withDict, pattern Dict, type Dict)
+import Data.HTree.Families (All, Top, type (++))
+import Data.Kind (Type)
+
+-- | A heterogeneous list
+--
+-- >>> "bla" `HCons` 23 `HCons` HNil :: HList Identity '[ String, Int ]
+-- HCons (Identity "bla") (HCons (Identity 23) HNil)
+type HList :: forall k. (k -> Type) -> [k] -> Type
+data HList f ts where
+  HCons :: forall f x xs. f x -> HList f xs -> HList f (x : xs)
+  HNil :: forall f. HList f '[]
+
+-- | pattern synonym for 'HCons'
+--
+-- >>> t = "bla" ::: 23 ::: HNil :: HList Identity '[ String, Int ]
+-- >>> t
+-- HCons (Identity "bla") (HCons (Identity 23) HNil)
+-- >>> case t of (x ::: _) -> runIdentity x
+-- "bla"
+pattern (:::) :: forall f x xs. f x -> HList f xs -> HList f (x : xs)
+pattern x ::: xs = HCons x xs
+
+-- | pattern that allows to construct a singleton HList
+--
+-- >>> HSing 42 :: HList Identity '[ Int ]
+-- HCons (Identity 42) HNil
+pattern HSing :: forall f a. f a -> HList f '[a]
+pattern HSing x = HCons x HNil
+
+-- | map with a function that maps forall f a
+hmap :: forall f g xs. (forall a. f a -> g a) -> HList f xs -> HList g xs
+hmap f l = withDict (allTopHList l) $ hcmap @Top @f @g f l
+
+-- | map with a constraint that holds for all elements of the  list
+--
+-- >>> import Data.Functor.Const
+-- >>> hcmap @Show (Const . show . runIdentity) (42 `HCons` HSing "bla" :: HList Identity '[ Int, String ])
+-- HCons (Const "42") (HCons (Const "\"bla\"") HNil)
+hcmap :: forall c f g xs. All c xs => (forall a. c a => f a -> g a) -> HList f xs -> HList g xs
+hcmap f = runIdentity . hctraverse @c @Identity @f @g (Identity . f)
+
+-- | traverse a structure with a function
+htraverse :: forall t f g xs. Applicative t => (forall a. f a -> t (g a)) -> HList f xs -> t (HList g xs)
+htraverse f l = withDict (allTopHList l) $ hctraverse @Top @t @f @g f l
+
+-- | traverse a structure such that a constraint holds; this is the workhorse of mapping and traversing
+--
+-- >>> import Data.Functor.Const
+-- >>> hctraverse @Show (Just . Const . show . runIdentity) (42 `HCons` HSing "bla" :: HList Identity '[ Int, String ])
+-- Just (HCons (Const "42") (HCons (Const "\"bla\"") HNil))
+hctraverse :: forall c t f g xs. (All c xs, Applicative t) => (forall a. c a => f a -> t (g a)) -> HList f xs -> t (HList g xs)
+hctraverse _ HNil = pure HNil
+hctraverse f (HCons x xs) = HCons <$> f x <*> hctraverse @c @t @f @g f xs
+
+-- | foldr for HLists.
+hcFold :: forall c f b xs. All c xs => (forall a. c a => f a -> b -> b) -> b -> HList f xs -> b
+hcFold _ def HNil = def
+hcFold f def (x `HCons` xs) = f x $ hcFold @c f def xs
+
+-- | witnesses that for all HLists, we can always derive the All Top constraint
+allTopHList :: forall f xs. HList f xs -> Dict (All Top xs)
+allTopHList HNil = Dict
+allTopHList (HCons _ xs) = case allTopHList xs of
+  Dict -> Dict
+
+-- | concats two heterogeneous lists
+hconcat :: forall f xs ys. HList f xs -> HList f ys -> HList f (xs ++ ys)
+hconcat HNil ys = ys
+hconcat (x `HCons` xs) ys = x `HCons` xs `hconcat` ys
+
+infixr 5 `HCons`
+
+infixr 5 :::
+
+infixr 5 `hconcat`
+
+deriving stock instance Show (HList f '[])
+
+deriving stock instance (Show (f x), Show (HList f xs)) => Show (HList f (x : xs))
+
+deriving stock instance Eq (HList f '[])
+
+deriving stock instance (Eq (f x), Eq (HList f xs)) => Eq (HList f (x : xs))
diff --git a/src/Data/HTree/Tree.hs b/src/Data/HTree/Tree.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/Data/HTree/Tree.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,253 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableInstances #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableSuperClasses #-}
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-unrecognised-pragmas #-}
+
+{-# HLINT ignore "Eta reduce" #-}
+
+-- | implements a heterogeneous tree ('HTree') indexed by a homogeneous type level tree ('TyTree')
+module Data.HTree.Tree
+  ( -- * type level tree
+    TyTree (..)
+  , TyForest
+
+    -- * heterogeneous tree
+  , HTree (HLeaf, ..)
+  , HForest
+
+    -- * mapping
+
+    -- ** value level
+  , hmap
+  , hcmap
+
+    -- * type level
+  , TreeMap
+  , ForestMap
+
+    -- * traversing
+  , htraverse
+  , hctraverse
+
+    -- *  folding
+
+    -- ** value level
+  , hFoldMap
+  , hcFoldMap
+  , hFlatten
+
+    -- ** type level
+  , FlattenTree
+  , FlattenForest
+
+    -- * paths into the htree and things you can do with those
+  , Path (..)
+  , replaceAt
+
+    -- * helpful constraints
+  , AllTree
+  , AllTreeC
+  , AllForest
+
+    -- ** helpers for witnessing the constraints
+  , allTopHTree
+  , allTopHForest
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.Functor.Identity (Identity (Identity, runIdentity))
+import Data.HTree.Constraint (Dict, withDict, pattern Dict)
+import Data.HTree.Families (All, Top, type (++))
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HCons, HNil), hconcat)
+import Data.HTree.List qualified as L
+import Data.Kind (Constraint, Type)
+
+-- | a type level rose-tree that is only intended to
+--   store something of a certain kind, e.g. Type
+type TyTree :: forall k. k -> Type
+data TyTree k where
+  TyNode :: forall a. a -> TyForest a -> TyTree a
+
+-- | a forest of TyTrees
+type TyForest :: forall k. k -> Type
+type TyForest a = [TyTree a]
+
+-- | a heterogeneous rose tree indexed by a TyTree
+type HTree :: forall k. (k -> Type) -> TyTree k -> Type
+data HTree f t where
+  HNode :: forall f a ts. f a -> HForest f ts -> HTree f ('TyNode a ts)
+
+-- | a pattern synonym for the leaf of an HTree
+pattern HLeaf :: forall f a. forall. f a -> HTree f ('TyNode a '[])
+pattern HLeaf a = HNode a HNil
+
+-- | A forest of heterogeneous rose trees
+type HForest :: forall k. (k -> Type) -> TyForest k -> Type
+type HForest f ts = HList (HTree f) ts
+
+-- | map a function over an HTree
+hmap
+  :: forall {k} (f :: k -> Type) (g :: k -> Type) (t :: TyTree k)
+   . (forall a. f a -> g a)
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> HTree g t
+hmap f t = withDict (allTopHTree t) $ hcmap @Top @f @g f t
+
+-- | map a function with a constraint over an HTree
+hcmap
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (c :: k -> Constraint)
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (g :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+   . AllTree c t
+  => (forall a. c a => f a -> g a)
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> HTree g t
+hcmap f = runIdentity . hctraverse @c @Identity @f @g (Identity . f)
+
+-- | traverse a structure with a function
+htraverse
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (h :: Type -> Type)
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (g :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+   . Applicative h
+  => (forall a. f a -> h (g a))
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> h (HTree g t)
+htraverse f t = withDict (allTopHTree t) $ hctraverse @Top f t
+
+-- | traverse a structure such that a constraint holds; this is the workhorse of mapping and traversing
+hctraverse
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (c :: k -> Constraint)
+    (h :: Type -> Type)
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (g :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+   . (AllTree c t, Applicative h)
+  => (forall a. c a => f a -> h (g a))
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> h (HTree g t)
+hctraverse f (HNode x ts) = HNode <$> f x <*> L.hctraverse @(AllTreeC c) @h @(HTree f) @(HTree g) (hctraverse @c f) ts
+
+-- | map a functor over a TyTree
+type TreeMap :: forall k l. (k -> l) -> TyTree k -> TyTree l
+type family TreeMap f t where
+  forall f x. TreeMap f ('TyNode x '[]) = 'TyNode (f x) '[]
+  forall f x xs. TreeMap f ('TyNode x xs) = 'TyNode (f x) (ForestMap f xs)
+
+-- | map a functor over a TyForest
+type ForestMap :: forall k l. (k -> l) -> TyForest k -> TyForest l
+type family ForestMap f t where
+  ForestMap _ '[] = '[]
+  forall f n ns. ForestMap f (n : ns) = TreeMap f n : ForestMap f ns
+
+-- | monoidally folds down a tree to a single value using a constraint on
+--   the element in the wrapping functor, this is similar to 'foldMap'
+hcFoldMap
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (c :: k -> Constraint)
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+    (b :: Type)
+   . (AllTree c t, Semigroup b)
+  => (forall a. c a => f a -> b)
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> b
+hcFoldMap f (HNode x HNil) = f x
+hcFoldMap f (HNode x (y `HCons` ys)) = hcFoldMap @c f y <> hcFoldMap @c f (HNode x ys)
+
+-- | monoidally folds down a tree to a single value, this is similar to 'foldMap'
+hFoldMap
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+    (b :: Type)
+   . Semigroup b
+  => (forall a. f a -> b)
+  -> HTree f t
+  -> b
+hFoldMap f t = withDict (allTopHTree t) $ hcFoldMap @Top f t
+
+-- | flatten a heterogeneous tree down to a heterogeneous list
+hFlatten
+  :: forall
+    {k}
+    (f :: k -> Type)
+    (t :: TyTree k)
+   . HTree f t
+  -> HList f (FlattenTree t)
+hFlatten (HNode x xs) = x `HCons` hflattenForest xs
+ where
+  hflattenForest :: forall ts. HForest f ts -> HList f (FlattenForest ts)
+  hflattenForest HNil = HNil
+  hflattenForest (y `HCons` ys) = hFlatten y `hconcat` hflattenForest ys
+
+-- | a type family that flattens a tree down to a list
+type FlattenTree :: forall k. TyTree k -> [k]
+type family FlattenTree t where
+  forall x xs. FlattenTree ('TyNode x xs) = x : FlattenForest xs
+
+-- | a type family that flattens a forest down to a list
+type FlattenForest :: forall k. TyForest k -> [k]
+type family FlattenForest f where
+  FlattenForest '[] = '[]
+  FlattenForest (x : xs) = FlattenTree x ++ FlattenForest xs
+
+-- | a constraint holds for all elements in the tree
+type AllTree :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> TyTree k -> Constraint
+type family AllTree c ts where
+  forall c x ts. AllTree c ('TyNode x ts) = (c x, AllForest c ts)
+
+-- | constraint synonym for AllTree
+type AllTreeC :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> TyTree k -> Constraint
+class AllTree c ts => AllTreeC c ts
+
+instance forall c ts. AllTree c ts => AllTreeC c ts
+
+-- | a constraint holds for all elements in the forest
+type AllForest :: forall k. (k -> Constraint) -> TyForest k -> Constraint
+type family AllForest c t where
+  AllForest c xs = All (AllTreeC c) xs
+
+-- | witnesses that for any HTree the constraint AllTree Top always holds
+allTopHTree :: forall f t. HTree f t -> Dict (AllTree Top t)
+allTopHTree (HNode _ (allTopHForest -> Dict)) = Dict
+
+-- | witnesses that for any HForest the constraint AllForest Top always holds
+allTopHForest :: forall f t. HForest f t -> Dict (AllForest Top t)
+allTopHForest HNil = Dict
+allTopHForest (HCons (allTopHTree -> Dict) (allTopHForest -> Dict)) = Dict
+
+-- | replace an element at a certain path.
+replaceAt :: Path typ t -> f typ -> HTree f t -> HTree f t
+replaceAt Here x (HNode _ xs) = HNode x xs
+replaceAt (Deeper pt) x (HNode y (t `HCons` ts)) = HNode y (replaceAt pt x t `HCons` ts)
+replaceAt (Farther pt) x (HNode y (t `HCons` ts)) = let HNode y' ts' = replaceAt pt x (HNode y ts) in HNode y' (t `HCons` ts')
+
+-- | provides evidence that an element is in the tree by
+--   providing a path to the element
+type Path :: forall k. k -> TyTree k -> Type
+data Path k t where
+  Here :: forall a ts. Path a ('TyNode a ts)
+  Deeper :: forall a b t ts. Path a t -> Path a ('TyNode b (t : ts))
+  Farther :: forall a b t ts. Path a ('TyNode b ts) -> Path a ('TyNode b (t : ts))
+
+infixr 4 `HNode`
+
+infixr 4 `TyNode`
+
+deriving stock instance (Show (f a), Show (HForest f t)) => Show (HTree f ('TyNode a t))
+
+deriving stock instance (Eq (f a), Eq (HForest f t)) => Eq (HTree f ('TyNode a t))
+
+deriving stock instance Show (Path typ t)
+
+deriving stock instance Eq (Path typ t)
diff --git a/test/Main.hs b/test/Main.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Main.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+module Main (main) where
+
+import Spec.HTree.Fold qualified as Fold
+import Spec.HTree.Labeled qualified as Labeled
+import Spec.HTree.Traverse qualified as Traverse
+import Test.Hspec (hspec)
+
+main :: IO ()
+main = hspec do
+  Labeled.spec
+  Traverse.spec
+  Fold.spec
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Fixtures.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Fixtures.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Fixtures.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+module Spec.HTree.Fixtures
+  ( type ExL
+  , exL
+  , type Ex
+  , ex
+  , exShown
+  , exC
+  , type ExReal
+  , exReal
+  , type I
+  , pattern I
+  , unI
+  , type K
+  , pattern K
+  , unK
+  , type ExIntegral
+  , exIntegral
+  , type ExBfsDfs
+  , exBfsDfs
+  )
+where
+
+import Data.Functor.Const (Const (Const, getConst))
+import Data.Functor.Identity (Identity (Identity, runIdentity))
+import Data.HTree.Labeled (pattern HNodeL, type TyNodeL)
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HNil, HSing, (:::)))
+import Data.HTree.Tree (HTree (HLeaf, HNode), TyTree (TyNode))
+import Data.Tree (Tree (Node))
+
+type K = Const
+
+pattern K :: forall a b. a -> K a b
+pattern K a = Const a
+
+unK :: forall a b. K a b -> a
+unK = getConst
+
+type I = Identity
+
+pattern I :: forall a. a -> I a
+pattern I a = Identity a
+
+unI :: forall a. I a -> a
+unI = runIdentity
+
+type ExL =
+  TyNodeL
+    "top"
+    Int
+    [ TyNodeL
+        "b"
+        Int
+        [ TyNodeL "c" Int '[]
+        , TyNodeL "d" Bool '[]
+        , TyNodeL
+            "e"
+            String
+            '[ TyNodeL "bla" Int '[]
+             ]
+        ]
+    , TyNodeL "a" Int '[]
+    ]
+
+exL :: HTree Identity ExL
+exL =
+  HNodeL 5 do
+    HNodeL 12 do
+      HNodeL 13 HNil
+        ::: HNodeL (I False) HNil
+        ::: HNodeL "test" (HNodeL 9 HNil ::: HNil)
+        ::: HNil
+      ::: HNodeL 42 HNil
+      ::: HNil
+
+type Ex =
+  TyNode
+    Int
+    [ TyNode
+        Int
+        [ TyNode Int '[]
+        , TyNode Bool '[]
+        , TyNode String '[ 'TyNode Int '[]]
+        ]
+    , 'TyNode Int '[]
+    ]
+
+ex :: HTree Identity Ex
+ex =
+  HNode 5 do
+    HNode 12 do
+      HNode 13 HNil
+        ::: HNode (I False) HNil
+        ::: HNode "test" (HNode 9 HNil ::: HNil)
+        ::: HNil
+      ::: HNode 43 HNil
+      ::: HNil
+
+exShown :: Tree String
+exShown =
+  Node
+    "5"
+    [ Node
+        "12"
+        [Node "13" [], Node "False" [], Node "\"test\"" [Node "9" []]]
+    , Node "43" []
+    ]
+
+exC :: HTree (K Int) Ex
+exC =
+  HNode 5 do
+    HNode 12 do
+      HNode 13 HNil
+        ::: HNode 13 HNil
+        ::: HNode 5 (HNode 9 HNil ::: HNil)
+        ::: HNil
+      ::: HNode 43 HNil
+      ::: HNil
+
+type ExReal =
+  'TyNode
+    Int
+    '[ 'TyNode
+        Float
+        '[ 'TyNode Double '[]
+         , 'TyNode Float '[]
+         , 'TyNode
+            Integer
+            '[ 'TyNode Float '[]]
+         ]
+     , 'TyNode
+        Int
+        '[ 'TyNode Float '[]]
+     ]
+
+exReal :: HTree I ExReal
+exReal =
+  HNode 42 do
+    HNode 2.7 do
+      HLeaf 13.7
+        ::: HLeaf 12.2
+        ::: HSing do
+          HNode 14 do
+            HSing (HLeaf (I 12.7))
+      ::: HNode 12 do HSing (HLeaf 3.14)
+      ::: HNil
+
+type ExIntegral =
+  'TyNode
+    Int
+    [ TyNode
+        Integer
+        '[ TyNode Int '[]
+         , TyNode Integer '[]
+         , TyNode
+            Integer
+            '[TyNode Int '[]]
+         ]
+    , TyNode
+        Int
+        '[TyNode Int '[]]
+    ]
+
+exIntegral :: HTree I ExIntegral
+exIntegral = HNode 42 do
+  HNode 7 do
+    HLeaf 13 ::: HLeaf 122 ::: HSing do
+      HNode 14 (HSing (HLeaf 127))
+    ::: HNode 12 (HSing (HLeaf 31))
+    ::: HNil
+
+type ExBfsDfs =
+  TyNodeL
+    "top"
+    Int
+    [ TyNodeL
+        "inter"
+        Int
+        '[ TyNodeL "foo" Int '[]
+         ]
+    , TyNodeL "foo" Int '[]
+    ]
+
+exBfsDfs :: HTree I ExBfsDfs
+exBfsDfs = HNodeL 42 do
+  HNodeL 4 (HSing (HNodeL 69 HNil))
+    ::: HNodeL 67 HNil
+    ::: HNil
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Fold.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Fold.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Fold.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+module Spec.HTree.Fold (spec) where
+
+import Data.Functor.Identity (Identity)
+import Data.HTree (hcFoldMap)
+import Data.HTree.Existential (Has (Proves), Some (MkSome), hcFoldEHList, hcFoldMapEHTree)
+import Data.Semigroup (Product (Product, getProduct), Sum (Sum, getSum))
+import Data.Set (Set, empty, insert, singleton)
+import Data.Tree (Tree)
+import Data.Typeable (Typeable, typeOf)
+import GHC.Real ((%))
+import Spec.HTree.Fixtures (exIntegral, exReal)
+import Spec.HTree.Orphans (toEList, toETree)
+import Test.Hspec (Spec, describe, it)
+import Test.Hspec.QuickCheck (modifyMaxSuccess, prop)
+import Test.QuickCheck (Property, (===))
+
+spec :: Spec
+spec = do
+  describe "folding an HTree of numbers" do
+    it "calculates the correct sum" (31649046316921651 % 281474976710656 == getSum (hcFoldMap @Real (Sum . toRational) exReal))
+    it "calculates the correct product" (308407698144 == getProduct (hcFoldMap @Integral (Product . toInteger) exIntegral))
+    modifyMaxSuccess (* 10) do
+      prop "yields the same results as expected for many Lists" $
+        foldsSameList @Identity
+      prop "yields the same results as expected for many trees" $
+        foldsSameTree @Identity
+
+foldsSameList
+  :: forall f
+   . ( forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x)
+     , forall x. Ord x => Ord (f x)
+     , Typeable f
+     , Applicative f
+     )
+  => [Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f))]
+  -> Property
+foldsSameList l =
+  let folded :: Set (String, Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+      folded =
+        foldMap
+          (\(MkSome (Proves f)) -> singleton (show (typeOf f), MkSome (Proves f)))
+          l
+      hfolded :: Set (String, Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+      hfolded =
+        hcFoldEHList @Typeable
+          (\f acc -> (show (typeOf f), MkSome (Proves f)) `insert` acc)
+          empty
+          (toEList l)
+   in folded === hfolded
+
+foldsSameTree
+  :: forall f
+   . ( forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x)
+     , forall x. Ord x => Ord (f x)
+     , Typeable f
+     , Applicative f
+     )
+  => Tree (Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+  -> Property
+foldsSameTree l =
+  let folded :: Set (String, Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+      folded =
+        foldMap
+          (\(MkSome (Proves f)) -> singleton (show (typeOf f), MkSome (Proves f)))
+          l
+      hfolded :: Set (String, Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f)))
+      hfolded =
+        hcFoldMapEHTree @Typeable
+          (\f -> singleton (show (typeOf f), MkSome (Proves f)))
+          (toETree l)
+   in folded === hfolded
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Helpers.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Helpers.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Helpers.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+module Spec.HTree.Helpers (forgetHTree, forgetHList, liftedWith) where
+
+import Data.Functor.Const (Const (Const, getConst))
+import Data.HTree.Existential (Some (MkSome))
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HCons, HNil), hmap)
+import Data.HTree.Tree (HTree (HNode))
+import Data.Kind (Type)
+import Data.Tree (Tree (Node))
+
+forgetHTree :: forall a t. HTree (Const a) t -> Tree a
+forgetHTree (HNode x ts) = Node (getConst x) (forgetHList (hmap (Const . forgetHTree) ts))
+
+forgetHList :: forall a l. HList (Const a) l -> [a]
+forgetHList HNil = []
+forgetHList (HCons x xs) = getConst x : forgetHList xs
+
+liftedWith :: forall {l} (g :: l -> Type) f r. Functor f => f (Some g) -> (forall m. g m -> r) -> f r
+liftedWith a f = fmap \case { MkSome b -> f b } a
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Labeled.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Labeled.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Labeled.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE OverloadedRecordDot #-}
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -fprint-potential-instances -fprint-typechecker-elaboration #-}
+
+module Spec.HTree.Labeled (spec) where
+
+import Data.HTree.Labeled (Proxy (Proxy), SearchStrategy (BFS, DFS), getElem)
+import Spec.HTree.Fixtures (exBfsDfs, exL, unI)
+import Test.Hspec (Spec, describe, it)
+
+spec :: Spec
+spec = describe "elements in the example get returned as expected" do
+  it "has top node 5" do
+    (5 :: Int) == unI exL.top
+  it "has a node 42" do
+    (42 :: Int) == unI exL.a
+  it "has bla node 9" do
+    (9 :: Int) == unI exL.bla
+  it "has d node False" do
+    not $ unI exL.d
+  it "has e node \"test\"" do
+    ("test" :: String) == unI exL.e
+  it "finds int via BFS" do
+    unI (getElem @BFS @"foo" @Int Proxy exBfsDfs) == 67
+  it "finds int via DFS" do
+    unI (getElem @DFS @"foo" @Int Proxy exBfsDfs) == 69
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Orphans.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Orphans.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Orphans.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE ImpredicativeTypes #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE PartialTypeSignatures #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE UndecidableInstances #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE NoOverloadedLists #-}
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -Wno-orphans #-}
+
+module Spec.HTree.Orphans where
+
+import Data.HTree (HTree (HNode))
+import Data.HTree.Existential (EList, ETree, Has (Proves), Some (MkSome), Some2 (MkSome2))
+import Data.HTree.Families (Both)
+import Data.HTree.List (HList (HCons, HNil))
+import Data.Maybe (catMaybes)
+import Data.Proxy (Proxy (Proxy))
+import Data.Tree (Tree (Node))
+import Spec.HTree.Helpers (liftedWith)
+import Spec.HTree.TH (discoverInstancesTypeable)
+import Test.QuickCheck.Arbitrary (Arbitrary (arbitrary))
+import Test.QuickCheck.Gen (Gen, oneof)
+import Test.QuickCheck.Instances ()
+import Type.Reflection (Typeable, eqTypeRep, typeRep, (:~~:) (HRefl))
+
+embedType :: [Some (Has Typeable Gen)]
+embedType = liftedWith $$(discoverInstancesTypeable @Arbitrary) \(Proves (Proxy :: Proxy a)) ->
+  MkSome $ Proves $ arbitrary @a
+
+embedArbOrd :: [Some (Has (Both Typeable Ord) Gen)]
+embedArbOrd =
+  catMaybes $ concat $ liftedWith $$(discoverInstancesTypeable @Ord) \(Proves (Proxy :: Proxy a)) ->
+    liftedWith $$(discoverInstancesTypeable @Arbitrary) \(Proves (Proxy :: Proxy b)) ->
+      case eqTypeRep (typeRep @a) (typeRep @b) of
+        Nothing -> Nothing
+        Just HRefl -> Just (MkSome (Proves $ arbitrary @a))
+
+toEList :: [Some x] -> EList x
+toEList [] = MkSome2 HNil
+toEList (MkSome x : xs) =
+  case toEList xs of
+    MkSome2 t -> MkSome2 (HCons x t)
+
+toETree :: Tree (Some f) -> ETree f
+toETree (Node (MkSome t) []) = MkSome2 (HNode t HNil)
+toETree (Node t' (t : ts)) =
+  case (toETree t, toETree (Node t' ts)) of
+    (MkSome2 ht, MkSome2 (HNode ht' hts)) -> MkSome2 (HNode ht' (HCons ht hts))
+
+instance Applicative f => Arbitrary (EList (Has Typeable f)) where
+  arbitrary = toEList <$> arbitrary
+
+instance Applicative f => Arbitrary (ETree (Has Typeable f)) where
+  arbitrary = toETree <$> arbitrary
+
+instance Applicative f => Arbitrary (Some (Has Typeable f)) where
+  arbitrary = oneof $ liftedWith embedType \(Proves gen :: Has Typeable Gen b) ->
+    MkSome . Proves . pure <$> gen
+
+instance {-# OVERLAPPING #-} Applicative f => Arbitrary (Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f))) where
+  arbitrary = oneof $ liftedWith embedArbOrd \(Proves gen :: Has (Both Typeable Ord) Gen b) ->
+    MkSome . Proves . Proves . pure <$> gen
+
+instance (forall x. Eq x => Eq (f x), Typeable f) => Eq (Some (Has Typeable (Has Ord f))) where
+  MkSome (Proves (Proves x)) == MkSome (Proves (Proves y)) =
+    MkSome (Proves @Typeable (Proves @Eq x)) == MkSome (Proves @Typeable (Proves @Eq y))
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/TH.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/TH.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/TH.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+{-# LANGUAGE ImpredicativeTypes #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE TemplateHaskell #-}
+{-# LANGUAGE NoOverloadedLists #-}
+{-# OPTIONS_GHC -fno-print-explicit-runtime-reps #-}
+
+-- | adapated from 'discoverInstances' from https://hackage.haskell.org/package/discover-instances-0.1.0.0
+module Spec.HTree.TH (discoverInstances, discoverInstancesTypeable) where
+
+import Data.HTree.Existential (Has (Proves), Some (MkSome))
+import Data.HTree.Families (Both)
+import Data.Kind (Constraint)
+import Data.Proxy (Proxy (Proxy))
+import Data.Typeable (Typeable, typeRep)
+import Language.Haskell.TH (Type)
+import Language.Haskell.TH.Syntax
+  ( Dec (InstanceD)
+  , Exp (ListE)
+  , InstanceDec
+  , Q
+  , TExp (TExp, unType)
+  , Type (..)
+  , mkName
+  , reifyInstances
+  , reportWarning
+  , unsafeTExpCoerce
+  )
+import Language.Haskell.TH.Syntax.Compat
+  ( SpliceQ
+  , examineSplice
+  , liftSplice
+  )
+
+discoverInstances :: forall {k} (c :: k -> Constraint). Typeable c => SpliceQ [Some (Has c Proxy)]
+discoverInstances = liftSplice $ do
+  let className = show (typeRep (Proxy @c))
+      listTE :: [TExp a] -> TExp [a]
+      listTE = TExp . ListE . map unType
+  instanceDecs <- reifyInstances (mkName className) [VarT (mkName "a")]
+
+  dicts <- listTE <$> traverse decToDict instanceDecs
+
+  examineSplice [||concat $$(liftSplice $ pure dicts)||]
+
+decToDict :: forall {k} (c :: k -> Constraint). InstanceDec -> Q (TExp [Some (Has c Proxy)])
+decToDict = \case
+  InstanceD _moverlap cxt typ _decs ->
+    case cxt of
+      [] -> do
+        let t = case typ of
+              AppT _ t' -> stripSig t'
+              _ -> t
+            stripSig (SigT a _) = a
+            stripSig x = x
+            proxy = [|Proxy :: Proxy $(pure t)|]
+        unsafeTExpCoerce [|[MkSome (Proves $proxy)]|]
+      _ -> examineSplice [||[]||]
+  _ -> do
+    reportWarning "discoverInstances called on 'reifyInstances' somehow returned something that wasn't a type class instance."
+    examineSplice [||[]||]
+
+discoverInstancesTypeable :: forall {k} (c :: k -> Constraint). Typeable c => SpliceQ [Some (Has (Both Typeable c) Proxy)]
+discoverInstancesTypeable = liftSplice $ do
+  let className = show (typeRep (Proxy @c))
+      listTE :: [TExp a] -> TExp [a]
+      listTE = TExp . ListE . map unType
+  instanceDecs <- reifyInstances (mkName className) [VarT (mkName "a")]
+
+  dicts <- listTE <$> traverse decToDictTypeable instanceDecs
+
+  examineSplice [||concat $$(liftSplice $ pure dicts)||]
+
+decToDictTypeable :: forall {k} (c :: k -> Constraint). InstanceDec -> Q (TExp [Some (Has (Both Typeable c) Proxy)])
+decToDictTypeable = \case
+  InstanceD _moverlap cxt typ _decs ->
+    case cxt of
+      [] -> do
+        let t :: Maybe Type = clean =<< removeClass typ
+            removeClass :: Type -> Maybe Type
+            removeClass (AppT _ x) = pure x
+            removeClass (SigT x _) = removeClass x
+            removeClass _ = Nothing
+
+            clean :: Type -> Maybe Type
+            clean (AppT f x) = AppT <$> clean f <*> clean x
+            clean (SigT x _) = clean x
+            clean (VarT _) = Nothing
+            clean (ConT n) = pure $ ConT n
+            clean (ParensT n) = pure $ ParensT n
+            clean (TupleT n) = pure $ TupleT n
+            clean ListT = pure ListT
+            clean _ = Nothing
+
+            proxy = case t of
+              Just t' -> Just [|Proxy :: Proxy $(pure t')|]
+              Nothing -> Nothing
+
+        unsafeTExpCoerce $ case proxy of
+          Just proxy' -> [|[MkSome (Proves @(Both Typeable _) $proxy')]|]
+          Nothing -> [|[]|]
+      _ -> examineSplice [||[]||]
+  _ -> do
+    reportWarning "discoverInstances called on 'reifyInstances' somehow returned something that wasn't a type class instance."
+    examineSplice [||[]||]
diff --git a/test/Spec/HTree/Traverse.hs b/test/Spec/HTree/Traverse.hs
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/Spec/HTree/Traverse.hs
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+module Spec.HTree.Traverse (spec) where
+
+import Data.Functor.Const (Const (Const))
+import Data.HTree.Tree (HTree, hctraverse)
+import Spec.HTree.Fixtures (ex, exShown, unI, type Ex)
+import Spec.HTree.Helpers (forgetHTree)
+import Test.Hspec (Spec, describe, it)
+
+spec :: Spec
+spec = do
+  describe "use hctraverse" $ do
+    it "yields the same result as expected" $ do
+      let traversed :: Maybe (HTree (Const String) Ex)
+          traversed = hctraverse @Show (Just . Const . show . unI) ex
+      Just `traverse` exShown == (forgetHTree <$> traversed)
