[Formula: see text]-algebras are based on an equation which is fundamental in the construction of various torsion-free groups, including spherical Artin groups, Riesz groups, certain mapping class groups, para-unitary groups, and structure groups of set-theoretic solutions to the Yang–Baxter equation. A topological study of [Formula: see text]-algebras is initiated. A prime spectrum is associated to certain (possibly all) [Formula: see text]-algebras, including three classes of [Formula: see text]-algebras where the ideals are determined in a more explicite fashion. Known results on orthomodular lattices, Heyting algebras, or quantales are extended and revisited from an [Formula: see text]-algebraic perspective.