diff --git a/heap.h b/heap.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..00f2bb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/heap.h
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "record.h"
+
+typedef struct {
+    record* location;
+    int g;
+    int buffer_id;
+    bool is_blank;
+} heap_record;
+
+// moves elements to maintain heap property
+int heapify(heap_record* heap);
+// returns the first element, and calls heapify
+int heap_pop(heap_record* heap, heap_record* out);
+// writes to the last elements, and calls heapify
+int heap_pus(heap_record* heap, heap_record* in);