chai
ChaiSQL is a lightweight, embedded SQL database written in pure Go that mimics PostgreSQL syntax without requiring a separate server. It runs entirely within your Go application, supporting both on-disk and in-memory operation, and is powered by CockroachDB's Pebble storage engine.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | chaisql/chai |
| Owner | chaisql |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.7k |
| Forks | 100 |
| Open issues | 21 |
| Latest release | v0.18.0 (2025-11-05) |
| Last updated | 2026-01-16 |
| Source | https://github.com/chaisql/chai |
What chai is
A pure-Go embedded SQL database with PostgreSQL-inspired API, built on Pebble KV store. Supports core SQL operations (CREATE/DROP tables, INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE, SELECT with filtering/ordering/grouping) but lacks joins and advanced SQL-92 features. Available as a Go driver compatible with database/sql interface.
Get the chai source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/chaisql/chai.gitcd chai# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Pure Go with no CGO or external compiled dependencies simplifies deployment and cross-platform builds, but verify Pebble engine performance against your data volume and query patterns.
- Current SQL feature set (no joins, limited aggregates) requires careful schema design; pre-compute or denormalize data in application code where relational features are needed.
- Storage format still stabilizing (90% complete); plan for potential schema migration tooling if upgrading between minor versions during development.
- In-memory mode (:memory:) suitable for testing; on-disk mode requires careful transaction and concurrency handling for reliability.
- Limited driver ecosystem; you are bound to Go's database/sql interface. No Python, Node.js, or language-agnostic wire protocol available yet.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Complex Relational Queries Required — Joins are explicitly not yet implemented. Avoid if your schema or queries depend heavily on multi-table relationships, subqueries, or advanced SQL operations.
- Production Workloads — Project explicitly states it is not production-ready. The on-disk storage format is 90% complete but not finalized. Risk of breaking changes in the near term.
- Compatibility with Existing Postgres Tools — ChaiSQL does not speak the Postgres wire protocol. Cannot use psql, pg_dump, or standard Postgres drivers/ORMs expecting a running Postgres server.
- Multi-Process or Distributed Scenarios — Embedded database is designed for single-process operation. Not suitable for shared databases across multiple applications or distributed systems.
License & commercial use
MIT License. Permissive open-source license allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.
MIT license permits commercial use without modification restrictions or royalties. However, given the project's explicit "not production-ready" status and rapidly evolving storage format, commercial deployment carries significant operational risk. Requires careful internal assessment of stability tolerances.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Low |
| DEV.co fit | Possible |
| Assessment confidence | Medium |
No security audit mentioned or claimed. Data is stored in Pebble KV; review Pebble security posture independently. No built-in encryption at rest. No role-based access control. Suitable only for trusted single-process environments. Query injection risk is standard SQL risk; parameterized queries via database/sql mitigate but require discipline.
Alternatives to consider
SQLite
Mature, battle-tested embedded database with richer SQL support (including joins). Use if you prefer SQL dialect portability over Postgres compatibility.
PostgreSQL with embedded mode (or PgBouncer)
Full Postgres compatibility and production-ready stability if you can tolerate adding a separate service or using Postgres in embedded deployments.
Badger/LevelDB (key-value)
Lower-level KV stores for cases where a structured query layer is overkill. Simpler, more mature, but require application-level schema management.
Build on chai with DEV.co software developers
ChaiSQL is best suited for simple embedded use cases with Postgres-familiar SQL syntax. If your application requires joins, production stability, or advanced SQL features, consult with Devco's engineering team to assess fit or explore alternatives.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.
chai FAQ
Is ChaiSQL ready for production?
Can I use ChaiSQL with existing Postgres tools or drivers?
What programming languages can use ChaiSQL?
Why not just use SQLite?
Software developers & web developers for hire
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If chai is part of your open-source databases roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Evaluating ChaiSQL for Your Go Application?
ChaiSQL is best suited for simple embedded use cases with Postgres-familiar SQL syntax. If your application requires joins, production stability, or advanced SQL features, consult with Devco's engineering team to assess fit or explore alternatives.