sqlit-tui 1.1.5

A terminal UI for SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Oracle, and more

The lazygit of SQL databases

Connect and query your database from your terminal in seconds.

pipx install sqlit-tui

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Connect

Supports all major databases: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB, FirebirdSQL, Oracle, DuckDB, CockroachDB, ClickHouse, Snowflake, Supabase, CloudFlare D1, and Turso.

Query

Syntax highlighting. History. Vim-style keybindings.

Results

Load millions of rows. Inspect data, filter by content, fuzzy search, no more squinting eyes looking for what you need!

Docker Discovery

Automatically finds running database containers. Press 'Enter' to connect, sqlit figures out the details for you.

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Features

Connection manager: Save and switch connections without CLI args

Just run sqlit: No CLI config needed, pick a connection and go

Multi-database support: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and 10+ more

Docker integration: Auto-detect running database containers

SSH tunnels: Connect to remote databases securely with password or key auth

Secure credentials: Passwords stored in your OS keyring

Vim-style editing: Modal editing for terminal purists

Query history: Searchable, per-connection history

Filter results: Fuzzy search through millions of rows

Context-aware help: Keybindings shown on screen

Browse databases: Tables, views, procedures, indexes, triggers, sequences

Autocomplete: Tables, columns, and procedures

CLI mode: Execute SQL from the command line

Themes: Rose Pine, Tokyo Night, Nord, Gruvbox

Dependency wizard: Auto-install missing drivers

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Motivation

Throughout my career, the undesputed truth was that SSMS was the only respectable way to access a database. It didn't matter that I wasn't a DBA, or that I didn't need complex performance graphs. I was expected to install a gigabyte-heavy behemoth that took ages to launch all for the mere purpose of running a few queries to update and view a couple of rows.

When I switched to Linux, I was suddenly unable to return to the devil I know, and I asked myself: how do I access my data now?

The popular answer was VS Code's SQL extension. But why should we developers launch a heavy Electron app designed for coding just to execute SQL?

I had recently grown fond of Terminal UI's for their speed and keybinding focus. I looked for SQL TUIs, but the options were sparse. The ones I found lacked the user-friendliness and immediate "pick-up-and-go" nature of tools I loved, like lazygit, and I shortly returning to vscode sql extension.

Something wasn't right. I asked myself, why is it that running SQL queries can't be enjoyable? So I created sqlit.

sqlit is for the developer who just wants to query their database with a user friendly UI without their RAM being eaten alive. It is a lightweight, beautiful, and keyboard-driven TUI designed to make accessing your data enjoyable, fast and easy like it should be-- all from inside your favorite terminal.

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Installation

Method	Command
pipx (recommended)	pipx install sqlit-tui
uv	uv tool install sqlit-tui
pip	pip install sqlit-tui
aur	yay -S python-sqlit-tui

Usage

sqlit

The keybindings are shown at the bottom of the screen.

Try it without a database

Want to explore the UI without connecting to a real database? Run with mock data:

sqlit --mock=sqlite-demo

CLI

# Run a query
sqlit query -c "MyConnection" -q "SELECT * FROM Users"

# Output as CSV or JSON
sqlit query -c "MyConnection" -q "SELECT * FROM Users" --format csv
sqlit query -c "MyConnection" -f "script.sql" --format json

# Create connections for different databases
sqlit connections add mssql --name "MySqlServer" --server "localhost" --auth-type sql
sqlit connections add postgresql --name "MyPostgres" --server "localhost" --username "user" --password "pass"
sqlit connections add mysql --name "MyMySQL" --server "localhost" --username "user" --password "pass"
sqlit connections add cockroachdb --name "MyCockroach" --server "localhost" --port "26257" --database "defaultdb" --username "root"
sqlit connections add sqlite --name "MyLocalDB" --file-path "/path/to/database.db"
sqlit connections add turso --name "MyTurso" --server "libsql://your-db.turso.io" --password "your-auth-token"
sqlit connections add firebird --name "MyFirebird" --server "localhost" --username "user" --password "pass" --database "employee"

# Connect via SSH tunnel
sqlit connections add postgresql --name "RemoteDB" --server "db-host" --username "dbuser" --password "dbpass" \
  --ssh-enabled --ssh-host "ssh.example.com" --ssh-username "sshuser" --ssh-auth-type password --ssh-password "sshpass"

# Temporary (not saved) connection
sqlit connect sqlite --file-path "/path/to/database.db"

# Connect via URL - scheme determines database type (postgresql://, mysql://, sqlite://, etc.)
sqlit postgresql://user:pass@localhost:5432/mydb
sqlit mysql://root@localhost/testdb
sqlit sqlite:///path/to/database.db

# Save a connection via URL
sqlit connections add --url dbtype://user:pass@host/db --name "MyDB"

# Provider-specific CLI help
sqlit connect -h
sqlit connect supabase -h
sqlit connections add -h
sqlit connections add supabase -h

# Manage connections
sqlit connections list
sqlit connections delete "MyConnection"

Keybindings

Key	Action
i	Enter INSERT mode
Esc	Back to NORMAL mode
e / q / r	Focus Explorer / Query / Results
s	SELECT TOP 100 from table
h	Query history
d	Clear query
n	New query (clear all)
y	Copy query (when query editor is focused)
v / y / Y / a	View cell / Copy cell / Copy row / Copy all
Ctrl+Q	Quit
?	Help

Commands Menu (<space>)

Key	Action
<space>c	Connect to database
<space>x	Disconnect
<space>z	Cancel running query
<space>e	Toggle Explorer
<space>f	Toggle Maximize
<space>t	Change theme
<space>h	Help
<space>q	Quit

Autocomplete triggers automatically in INSERT mode. Use Tab to accept.

💡 Tip: Type a table name followed by . to get column autocompletion.

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Configuration

Connections and settings are stored in ~/.sqlit/.

FAQ

How are sensitive credentials stored?

Connection details are stored in ~/.sqlit/connections.json, but passwords are stored in your OS keyring when available (macOS Keychain, Windows Credential Locker, Linux Secret Service).

How does sqlit compare to Harlequin, Lazysql, etc.?

sqlit is inspired by lazygit - you can just jump in and there's no need for external documentation. The keybindings are shown at the bottom of the screen and the UI is designed to be intuitive without memorizing shortcuts.

Key differences:

• No need for external documentation - Sqlit embrace the "lazy" approach in that a user should be able to jump in and use it right away intuitively. There should be no setup instructions. If python packages are required for certain adapters, sqlit will help you install them as you need them.
• No CLI config required - Just run sqlit and pick a connection from the UI
• Lightweight - While Lazysql or Harlequin offer more features, I experienced that for the vast majority of cases, all I needed was a simple and fast way to connect and run queries. Sqlit is focused on doing a limited amount of things really well.

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Inspiration

sqlit is built with Textual and inspired by:

• lazygit - Simple TUI for git
• lazysql - Terminal-based SQL client with connection manager

Contributing

See CONTRIBUTING.md for development setup, testing, CI, and CockroachDB quickstart steps.

Driver Reference

Most of the time you can just run sqlit and connect. If a Python driver is missing, sqlit will show (and often run) the right install command for your environment.

Database	Driver package	pipx	pip / venv	aur
SQLite	(built-in)	(built-in)	(built-in)	(built-in)
PostgreSQL / CockroachDB / Supabase	psycopg2-binary	pipx inject sqlit-tui psycopg2-binary	python -m pip install psycopg2-binary	pacman -S python-psycopg2
SQL Server	pyodbc	pipx inject sqlit-tui pyodbc	python -m pip install pyodbc	yay -S python-pyodbc
MySQL	mysql-connector-python	pipx inject sqlit-tui mysql-connector-python	python -m pip install mysql-connector-python	pacman -S python-mysql-connector
MariaDB	mariadb	pipx inject sqlit-tui mariadb	python -m pip install mariadb	yay -S python-mariadb-connector
Oracle	oracledb	pipx inject sqlit-tui oracledb	python -m pip install oracledb	yay -S python-oracledb
DuckDB	duckdb	pipx inject sqlit-tui duckdb	python -m pip install duckdb	yay -S python-duckdb
ClickHouse	clickhouse-connect	pipx inject sqlit-tui clickhouse-connect	python -m pip install clickhouse-connect	yay -S python-clickhouse-connect
Turso	libsql-client	pipx inject sqlit-tui libsql-client	python -m pip install libsql-client	(not supported)
Cloudflare D1	requests	pipx inject sqlit-tui requests	python -m pip install requests	pacman -S python-requests
Snowflake	snowflake-connector-python	pipx inject sqlit-tui snowflake-connector-python	python -m pip install snowflake-connector-python	yay -S python-snowflake-connector-python
Firebird	firebirdsql	pip install firebirdsql	python -m pip install firebirdsql	(not supported)

Note: SQL Server also requires the platform-specific ODBC driver. On your first connection attempt, sqlit can help you install it if it's missing.

SSH Tunnel Support

SSH tunnel functionality requires additional dependencies. Install with the ssh extra:

Method	Command
pipx	pipx install 'sqlit-tui[ssh]'
uv	uv tool install 'sqlit-tui[ssh]'
pip	pip install 'sqlit-tui[ssh]'
aur	pacman -S python-paramiko python-sshtunnel

If you try to create an SSH connection without these dependencies, sqlit will detect this and show you the exact command to install them for your environment.

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Star History

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License

MIT