shellql

SQLite workbench that runs where your data lives

brew install fissible/tap/shellql

Works over SSH. No GUI. No port forwarding.

You SSH into a server. The SQLite database is right there. Every GUI tool you own stops working. ShellQL is a full SQLite workbench that runs in your terminal. Open a database on any server you can SSH into. Browse schemas, run queries, and edit records without leaving the shell. Runs on bash 3.2–5.2 across macOS and Linux, tested in CI.

Schema browser · Table view · Record editor

Features

Schema browser, table view, query tab, and record inspector
Full CRUD — insert, update, and delete rows with an intuitive UI
Works over SSH — browse and edit data directly on the machine
Mouse and keyboard support; bash 3.2–5.2, tested in CI across macOS and Linux

Example

# Open a database directly
shql myapp.db

# Use a named connection from sigil
shql --connection production

Works where your data lives

Remote servers. Docker containers. CI jobs. If the machine has bash and sqlite3, you can open the database directly. No GUI install. No port forwarding. No syncing files back to your laptop. SSH in and run it.

# Local
shql myapp.db

# Remote — SSH and run directly
ssh user@server
shql /var/app/production.db

# Named connection from sigil
shql --connection production

Browse, query, and mutate

ShellQL has four screens: a schema browser for listing all tables and views, a table view with inline filtering and multi-tab support (open several tables at once), a query tab for raw SQL execution, and a record editor — a schema-aware form overlay that shows column types and constraints. Insert, update, and delete are first-class. Table creation uses a SQL tab preloaded with a CREATE TABLE template, giving you full DDL control.

Keyboard-driven, mouse-friendly

Most terminal tools pick one input model. ShellQL supports both. Navigate screens and records with keyboard shortcuts for speed, or use the mouse when that's faster. Keybindings are shown at the bottom of each screen — you don't need to read the docs to get started.

Zero dependencies, real architecture

No runtime dependencies beyond bash and sqlite3 — both available on most systems. Built on shellframe, a TUI framework for bash that provides screen management, keyboard routing, and component lifecycle. Tested on bash 3.2–5.2 across macOS and Linux in CI.

brew install fissible/tap/shellql