sqlv

sqlv is a fast, keyboard-first SQLite explorer for the terminal, built with Ratatui.

It is designed for people who want the feel of a serious database client without leaving the command line: open multiple SQLite files, browse schemas in a sidebar, inspect rows in a full-screen grid, run ad-hoc SQL in query tabs, and move around with familiar Vim-style controls.

Why sqlv

• Multi-connection SQLite explorer in the terminal
• Sidebar schema tree with table browsing
• Table tabs and query tabs in one workspace
• Vim-style navigation for tree and table grids
• SQL query editor with syntax coloring
• Schema-aware autocomplete for tables, columns, aliases, keywords, and SQLite functions
• Inline cell editing for editable tables
• Path picker and fuzzy file search when opening new connections
• Blob values displayed as hex strings

Screenshot

sqlv is a full-screen TUI application. A typical layout includes:

• Left sidebar for connections and tables
• Top tab bar for opened tables and query tabs
• Main content area for table data or query editor/results
• Status line with navigation hints

If you want to showcase the app publicly, add screenshots or an asciinema recording here.

Features

Connections

• Open SQLite databases from the current directory by default
• Type a full path directly
• Navigate directories in path mode
• Use fuzzy search to locate files under the current directory tree
• Keep multiple database connections open at the same time

Schema browsing

• Collapsible connection tree
• Per-database table listing
• Open tables directly from the sidebar
• Sidebar supports Vim-style vertical movement including half-page jumps

Table viewer

• Row grid that uses the full available width
• Horizontal and vertical navigation
• Half-page scrolling with Ctrl+d and Ctrl+u
• Page navigation with:
  • n next page
  • N previous page
  • [ first page
  • ] last page
• Row/page metadata in the title bar
• Inline editing for tables with a reliable row identity

Query editor

• Per-connection query tabs
• Editor on top, results below
• Syntax coloring for SQL
• Autocomplete for:
  • SQL keywords
  • SQLite functions
  • snippets
  • tables
  • columns
  • aliases
• Execute the current statement with Ctrl+Enter or F5
• Read and write statements supported

Installation

Requirements

• Rust and Cargo

Install locally as sqlv

make install

This builds the release binary and creates a symlink at ~/.local/bin/sqlv by default.

You can also run the installer directly:

./scripts/install.sh

Optional flags:

./scripts/install.sh --prefix /custom/bin
./scripts/install.sh --force

Development

Run locally:

make run

Common commands:

make check
make test
make fmt
make build

Usage

Launch:

sqlv

Core controls

• o open a SQLite database
• t open a new query tab
• Tab cycle focus
• x close the active tab
• q quit

Sidebar

• j / k move
• Ctrl+d / Ctrl+u half-page down/up
• g / G first/last item
• h collapse
• l expand
• Enter open or activate

Table view

• h / j / k / l move cell focus
• Ctrl+d / Ctrl+u half-page down/up
• g / G first/last row in the loaded page
• n / N next/previous page
• [ / ] first/last page
• e edit selected cell
• r reload table

Query editor

• Ctrl+Enter or F5 execute current statement
• Ctrl+p / Ctrl+n query history
• Esc toggle insert/normal mode
• Tab move between editor and results

Project status

This project is functional and already useful for local SQLite exploration, but it is still evolving.

Areas that can be improved:

• better result virtualization for very large datasets
• richer file search and filtering modes
• more advanced SQL editor ergonomics
• schema object browsing beyond tables
• exports, copy/yank helpers, and richer cell viewers

Contributing

Issues and pull requests are welcome.

Good contributions include:

• bug fixes
• editor and autocomplete improvements
• UX polish for navigation and layout
• performance work on large schemas and tables
• better documentation and demos

License

MIT. See LICENSE.