AlarmDB

AlarmDB is a memory-addressed, schema-driven row-based database backed by the Apple Clock app. It also comes with NyQL, a bespoke SQL-like query language for interfacing with AlarmDB.

Read the full writeup here!

Example queries

Interfacing with AlarmDB is simple thanks to NyQL, a SQL-like query language. In the examples below, we perform "Alarmception" and encode alarm data as alarms in AlarmDB. Note the absence of the FROM clause, as there is only one table.

-- Clears all rows and sets the schema for the table
-- Note that the total number of bytes cannot exceed 32
-- (column name, type, number of bytes)
SET SCHEMA
    ("alarm_name", TEXT, 8),
    ("repeat_bitmask", UINT, 1),
    ("hours", INT, 1),
    ("minutes", INT, 1),
    ("enabled", BOOLEAN, 1),
    ("allows_snooze", BOOLEAN, 1),
    ("timestamp_added", TIMESTAMP, 4);

-- Get the current schema
GET SCHEMA;

"""
Outputs ->
  col_name,type,length_bytes
  alarm_name,TEXT,16
  repeat_bitmask,UINT,1
  hours,INT,1
  minutes,INT,1
  enabled,BOOLEAN,1
  allows_snooze,BOOLEAN,1
  timestamp_added,TIMESTAMP,4
"""

-- Add rows
INSERT VALUES
    ("work", 62, 8, 15, TRUE, FALSE, 1778904247),
    ("do laundry", 8, 18, 0, TRUE, TRUE, 1778904372),
    ("write readme", 0, 19, 45, FALSE, TRUE, 1778905161);

-- Get all rows
SELECT *;

"""
Outputs ->
  alarm_name,repeat_bitmask,hours,minutes,enabled,allows_snooze,timestamp_added
  work,62,8,15,True,False,2026-05-16 00:04:07
  do laundry,8,18,0,True,True,2026-05-16 00:06:12
  write readme,0,19,45,False,True,2026-05-16 00:19:21
"""

-- More complex SELECT queries

SELECT AVG(hours) AS avg_hours, enabled GROUP BY enabled HAVING enabled;

"""
Outputs ->
  avg_hours,enabled
  13.0,True
"""

SELECT alarm_name AS morning_alarm_names WHERE hours < 12 AND enabled;

"""
Outputs ->
  morning_alarm_names
  work
"""

SELECT alarm_name, hours, minutes ORDER BY minutes DESC LIMIT 2;

"""
Outputs ->
  alarm_name,hours,minutes
  write readme,19,45
  work,8,15
"""

-- Delete by condition
DELETE WHERE alarm_name = "write readme";

SELECT *;

"""
Outputs ->
  alarm_name,repeat_bitmask,hours,minutes,enabled,allows_snooze,timestamp_added
  work,62,8,15,True,False,2026-05-16 00:04:07
  do laundry,8,18,0,True,True,2026-05-16 00:06:12
"""

-- Update by condition
UPDATE SET alarm_name = "pick up laundry", hours = 20 WHERE alarm_name = "do laundry";

SELECT *;

"""
Outputs ->
  alarm_name,repeat_bitmask,hours,minutes,enabled,allows_snooze,timestamp_added
  work,62,8,15,True,False,2026-05-16T00:04:07
  pick up laundry,8,20,0,True,True,2026-05-16T00:06:12
"""

-- Set a new schema (this also wipes the database)
SET SCHEMA ("name", TEXT, 8), ("age", INT, 1);

Installing AlarmDB

AlarmDB is easy-to-use, open-source, and free. To get started, clone this repo and install the required packages with uv sync. Then, install the following Shortcuts:

• NyQL write (called internally)
• NyQL read (called internally)
• NyQL (entrypoint)

Notes:

• You will need to update the placeholder cd /path/to/your/alarmdb in the Run Shell Script action of the NyQL shortcut to point to your local copy of this repo
• If running on iOS, the Run Shell Script will need to be replaced with an equivalent Run Script Over SSH action
• It's convenient to add the AlarmDB shortcut to Quick Actions so that you can run NyQL anywhere by highlighting the text, right clicking, and Services > NyQL

Recommended IDEs

• Notes app
• Messages app