Part of: Field tools

Open any SQLite file
from your terminal.

A fast, zero-dependency SQLite browser that opens .db, .sqlite3, and .db3 files in milliseconds. Built-in file picker scans your current directory. Browse tables, run queries, export data, all from a single compiled binary. Open source (GPL-3.0).

Buy Binary · $4.99 Build from source See features

~6 MB

Binary Size

TUI + Web

Two Interfaces

3 Formats

CSV · JSON · SQL

arm64 Mac

Pre-built binary

The Problem

You're installing software just to look at a .db file.

DB Browser for SQLite requires installation. SQLiteStudio needs Java. DataGrip needs a JetBrains subscription. When someone sends you a .db file, you shouldn't need to download a full IDE just to peek at the data.

GUI Bloat

DB Browser for SQLite, SQLiteStudio, DataGrip: they all need installation, update management, and dock icons. Too much for a quick data check.

Remote Server Pain

SSH'd into a Raspberry Pi or edge device? You can't run a GUI. You're stuck with the sqlite3 CLI and its dot-commands. No table browsing, no pagination.

Memorizing Dot-Commands

.headers on, .mode column, .width auto, every time you launch sqlite3. Forget .mode column before a SELECT * and the output is unreadable.

Export Hassle

Need a quick CSV of a query result? With sqlite3 it's .mode csv + .output + the query + .output stdout. With GUIs it's dialog boxes. Both are slow when you just want the data.

Features

Everything you'd do with sqlite3 CLI, but faster.

A zero-dependency TUI that starts in milliseconds. A keyboard-driven interface with pagination, export, copy-to-clipboard, and autocomplete. No memorizing dot-commands. Built-in Web UI for when you want a graphical view.

Instant File Picker

No --file flag? No problem. Automatically scans the current directory for .db, .sqlite3, and .db3 files. Navigate with arrow keys and hit Enter to open.

Table & View Browser

Sidebar navigation with live row counts. Switch between Tables and Views with q/e keys. Filter by name with instant /search.

Paginated Data View

500 rows per page. Prev/Next navigation. Real-time scrollbar shows position. Works with tables of any size, even multi-million row databases.

SQL Query Editor

Interactive query editor with autocomplete for SQLite keywords, table names, and column names. Ctrl+S to execute. Error messages shown inline with syntax highlighting.

Schema Inspector

View CREATE TABLE statements with full syntax highlighting. Column list with names. Quick access to table structure when debugging schema issues.

Multi-Format Export

Download full tables or query results as CSV, JSON, or SQL INSERT statements. One click from the export tab.

Web UI Included

Launch with --ui for a full dark-theme web interface. Same features: browsing, querying, exporting. Ideal for team demos and screen sharing.

Two Modes

Terminal or Browser. Same binary.

TUI MODE

Terminal Interface

Vim-style keybindings (i/k/j/l for scroll, u/d for pages). Paginated table view with row counts. SQL editor with autocomplete. Copy menus for TSV/JSON export.

WEB UI

Dark-Theme Web Interface

Launch with --ui. Full sidebar, paginated data, SQL editor with autocomplete and syntax highlighting. Export with one click.

Quick Start

Two commands. That's it.

# Install in one command (macOS Apple Silicon)

sudo curl -L -o /usr/local/bin/sqltui "https://dl-sqltui.voltrus.id/latest?platform=mac-arm" && sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/sqltui

# Launch file picker (scans current directory)

sqltui

# Open a specific database or Web UI

sqltui -f myapp.db --ui

Pre-built binary $4.99 one-time · Build from source free on GitHub · Pre-built: macOS Apple Silicon (Intel Mac, Linux, Windows coming soon).

Use Cases

Built for developers who work with SQLite daily.

MOBILE

Mobile App Debugging

Inspect SQLite databases from iOS and Android apps. Open CoreData stores, Room databases, and Realm-to-SQLite exports. No need for Android Studio or Xcode.

EMBED

Embedded & IoT Systems

SSH into your Raspberry Pi or edge device, open the local SQLite database, and diagnose data issues in seconds.

WEB

Web App Development

Django, Rails, Laravel: many frameworks use SQLite for development. Inspect your dev database without leaving the terminal. Faster than opening a GUI tool.

DATA

Data Analysis Quick Checks

Got a .db file from a colleague? Open it instantly, browse the schema, run a few queries, export the relevant data. No SQLite installation needed: the binary is self-contained.

Part of: Field tools · Debug one device from your laptop: protocol apps, terminal database browsers, utilities.

How Sqltui differs from…

PostgresTUI
PostgresTUI is the same kind of terminal browser for PostgreSQL, $4.99 one-time.
MSSQLTui
MSSQLTui is the same kind of terminal browser for SQL Server, $4.99 one-time.

Not sure? See which one you need →

FAQ

Common questions

Both. Sqltui is open source (GPL-3.0): you can build it from source for free with cargo build --release. If you prefer a ready-to-use binary without compiling, it's $4.99 one-time from Polar. No subscriptions, no feature gates, just a convenience fee for the pre-built download.

Sqltui gives you a full TUI with sidebar navigation, paginated data views, search filtering, copy-to-clipboard, and export capabilities. No dot-commands to memorize. Plus a Web UI when you need a graphical view.

Sqltui uses the standard rusqlite library. It supports regular SQLite files. For SQLCipher/encrypted databases, you'd need to decrypt them first using the appropriate tool.

Yes. The pagination system loads 500 rows at a time, so even tables with millions of rows are responsive. Row counts are pre-fetched, so you always know how much data you're dealing with.

The binary includes an embedded web server (Rust + axum). When you launch with --ui, it starts a local HTTP server. Open your browser and you can browse the SQLite file through a full web interface. The web assets are compiled into the binary.

Open Source · GPL-3.0