Open-Source Databases · Maxteabag

sqlit

sqlit is a lightweight terminal UI for querying SQL databases, supporting 20+ database types including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and cloud platforms. It offers vim-style editing, connection management, and docker auto-discovery without requiring heavy GUI applications.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/Maxteabag/sqlit

4.5k

GitHub stars

125

Forks

Python

Primary language

MIT

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	Maxteabag/sqlit
Owner	Maxteabag
Primary language	Python
License	MIT — OSI-approved
Stars	4.5k
Forks	125
Open issues	33
Latest release	v1.5.1 (2026-06-03)
Last updated	2026-06-18
Source	https://github.com/Maxteabag/sqlit

What sqlit is

Python-based TUI built for multi-database SQL access with SSH tunneling, OS keyring credential storage, and SQL autocomplete. Supports standard RDBMS, data warehouses (Athena, BigQuery, Snowflake), and newer platforms (Turso, SurrealDB) via database-specific drivers.

Quickstart

Get the sqlit source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/Maxteabag/sqlit.git2cd sqlit3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Developer database exploration and ad-hoc querying

Developers needing quick terminal-based access to dev/staging databases without launching heavy IDEs. Lightweight alternative to SSMS, DataGrip, or VS Code SQL extensions.

Remote database access via SSH tunnels

Secure connections to production or on-premise databases through bastion hosts using password or key-based SSH authentication with stored credentials.

Docker-local development workflows

Auto-detection and instant connection to containerized databases (Postgres, MySQL, etc.) without manual connection string configuration.

Implementation considerations

Requires Python 3.10+; install via pipx, uv, pip, or distro package managers (AUR, Nix). Platform support unclear for Windows (requires verification).
Database drivers must be installed per connection type (PyMySQL, psycopg2, etc.); dependency wizard claims auto-install but success varies by environment.
Credentials stored in OS keyring (secrets-service on Linux, Keychain on macOS, Credential Manager on Windows); keyring availability and access permissions must be verified.
SSH tunneling relies on OpenSSH client; additional OS-level SSH configuration may be required for key-based auth or non-standard ports.
Docker integration uses local Docker socket; requires Docker daemon running and user permissions to access `/var/run/docker.sock` or equivalent.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Complex data analysis or reporting — Not designed for OLAP, visualization, or statistical analysis. OLAP data warehouses are better served by dedicated BI/analytics tools.
DBA-level database administration — Lacks performance monitoring, execution plans, index management, and server-side diagnostic tools needed for production database administration.
Multi-user collaborative query building — Single-user terminal tool; no built-in team collaboration, versioning, or enterprise audit logging compared to cloud IDEs or enterprise SQL tools.
Enterprise compliance or air-gapped environments — Requires Python runtime and external package dependencies; no offline-first or hardened enterprise deployment model documented.

License & commercial use

MIT License (Expat variant). Permissive OSI-approved license allowing use, modification, and distribution in proprietary and open-source projects without attribution requirement.

MIT License permits commercial use. No restrictions on closed-source deployment or commercial redistribution. No SLA, warranty, or vendor support implied by license. Recommend review of project's willingness to support commercial deployments and any liability disclaimers in the repository.

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	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Passwords stored in OS keyring (reduces plaintext risk vs. config files). SSH tunneling available for remote access. Supports external password commands for secret manager integration (1Password, Vault). No code audit, vulnerability disclosure policy, or security framework (OWASP, CWE) documentation found. Input validation in SQL editor and credential handling should be reviewed before production use. TUI runs locally; no network exposure inherent to the tool itself.

Alternatives to consider

DBeaver Community / DBeaver Web

Multi-database GUI with full DBA tooling, but heavier footprint and steeper learning curve. Web version requires separate deployment. Overkill for simple queries.

usql (userland SQL)

Lightweight CLI-first tool for multi-database querying; simpler than sqlit but less user-friendly TUI, minimal autocomplete, no Docker discovery or connection manager.

pgcli / mycli

Database-specific CLI tools with autocomplete and history. Lighter than sqlit but single-database focus, no connection manager, no SSH tunneling or Docker integration.

Software development agency

Build on sqlit with DEV.co software developers

Try sqlit for ad-hoc querying, dev workflows, or remote database access. Install with `pipx install sqlit-tui` and start querying in seconds.

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sqlit FAQ

Does sqlit work on Windows?

README shows Linux/macOS-centric installation (pipx, Nix, AUR). Windows support via pip likely works but is not explicitly documented. Recommend testing before production use.

Is my database password stored in plaintext?

No. Passwords are stored in the OS keyring (secrets-service on Linux, Keychain on macOS, Credential Manager on Windows). You can also supply passwords via external commands (e.g., 1Password, Vault CLI).

Can I connect to cloud databases (Supabase, Turso, Snowflake)?

Yes. sqlit supports Supabase, Turso, Snowflake, BigQuery, Athena, and others. Use appropriate connection parameters or database URL (e.g., `sqlit postgresql://...`). Cloud CLI integration (AWS, GCP, Azure) is mentioned but details are sparse.

What if a required database driver is missing?

The README mentions a 'dependency wizard' that claims to auto-install missing drivers, but success depends on your Python environment and pip configuration. Manual driver installation via pip may be required.

Software developers & web developers for hire

DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like sqlit into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source databases stack.

Ready to simplify your database access?

Try sqlit for ad-hoc querying, dev workflows, or remote database access. Install with `pipx install sqlit-tui` and start querying in seconds.

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