LazySQL: Revolutionizing Terminal-Based Database Management

Tired of juggling bloated GUI tools and complex SQL commands? Discover how LazySQL transforms terminal workflows for database professionals.

The Database Management Dilemma

Database administration presents a universal challenge for developers:

  • GUI tools consume excessive resources and launch slowly
  • Command-line interfaces require memorizing intricate syntax
  • Context switching disrupts workflow efficiency
  • Multi-database environments demand disparate tools

LazySQL solves these pain points—an open-source terminal UI (TUI) tool inspired by Lazygit. It blends visual intuitiveness with command-line efficiency, supporting MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MSSQL without leaving your terminal.

Core Functionality Explained

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Platform Support
Works seamlessly across:

  • macOS
  • Windows
  • Linux

Efficiency Optimizations

  • Vim keybindings for keyboard-centric navigation
  • Tabbed interfaces for concurrent database operations
  • Unified management of multiple database connections

Integrated SQL Editor

CTRL + E  // Open SQL editor  
CTRL + R  // Execute current statement  
CTRL + Space // Launch external editor (Linux)

Data Interaction Features

  • Visual table browsing with filtering
  • Row-level CRUD operations
  • Real-time data refreshes

Installation Guide

macOS (Homebrew)

brew tap jorgerojas26/lazysql  
brew install lazysql

Go Environment

go install github.com/jorgerojas26/lazysql@latest

Other Platforms

Download precompiled binaries from releases page:

OS Method
Arch Linux paru -S lazysql or yay -S lazysql
Windows Direct .exe execution
Linux Architecture-specific binaries

Configuration Essentials

Configuration paths vary by OS:

OS Configuration Path
Windows %APPDATA%\lazysql\config.toml
macOS ~/Library/Application Support/lazysql/config.toml
Linux $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/lazysql/config.toml

Sample Configuration:

[[database]]  
Name = 'Production DB'  
Provider = 'postgres'  
URL = 'postgres://user:pass@localhost:5432/prod_db'  
Commands = [  
  { Command = 'ssh -tt bastion -L 5432:localhost:5432', WaitForPort = '5432' }  
]  

[application]  
DefaultPageSize = 100  
DisableSidebar = false

Practical Workflow Guide

Establishing Connections

  1. Launch with lazysql
  2. Press n to create new connection
  3. Enter name and URL (e.g., mysql://user:pass@localhost/dbname)
  4. Press Enter to connect

Executing Queries

  1. Press Ctrl+E to open SQL editor
  2. Type query (syntax highlighting enabled)
  3. Press Ctrl+R to execute
  4. Toggle between results/editor with /

Table Operations

Action Shortcut Description
Add Row o Insert new record
Edit Cell c Modify selected content
Delete Row d Remove current record
Save Changes Ctrl+S Commit modifications
Refresh Data R Reload table content
Apply Filter / Enter WHERE conditions

Remote Connection Example

[[database]]  
Name = 'K8s Database'  
Provider = 'postgres'  
URL = 'postgres://user:pass@localhost:${port}/k8s_db'  
Commands = [  
  { Command = 'ssh -tt bastion -L 6443:localhost:6443', WaitForPort = '6443' },  
  { Command = 'kubectl port-forward svc/postgres ${port}:5432', WaitForPort = '${port}' }  
]

This configuration:

  1. Establishes SSH tunnel to bastion host
  2. Configures Kubernetes port forwarding
  3. Automates dynamic port allocation via ${port}

Comprehensive Keybinding Reference

Global Shortcuts

Key Action
q Quit application
Ctrl+E Open SQL editor
Backspace Return to connections
? Show help

Table Navigation

Key Action
> Next page
< Previous page
K Sort ascending
J Sort descending
H Switch to tree view
Ctrl+[ Previous tab
Ctrl+] Next tab
X Close active tab

Tree View Controls

Key Action
L Focus table panel
G Jump to last node
g Jump to first node
Ctrl+U Scroll up 5 items
Ctrl+D Scroll down 5 items

Supported Database Systems

  • ✅ MySQL
  • ✅ PostgreSQL
  • ✅ SQLite
  • ✅ MSSQL (SQL Server)
  • 🚧 MongoDB (in development)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who benefits most from LazySQL?

Ideal users include:

  • Terminal-centric developers
  • DBAs managing heterogeneous environments
  • Keyboard-focused power users
  • Remote server administrators

How do I create tables?

While direct TUI table creation isn’t supported:

  1. Press Ctrl+E to open SQL editor
  2. Enter CREATE TABLE statement
  3. Execute with Ctrl+R
  4. Press R to refresh schema view

How are data changes saved?

Explicit saving prevents accidental modifications:

  1. After edits, press Ctrl+S
  2. Verify changes in confirmation prompt
  3. Changes commit to database upon confirmation

What’s the SQLite connection syntax?

Use file-based paths:

file:database.sqlite

Or absolute paths:

/path/to/database.sqlite

Why use WaitForPort?

This ensures:

  1. SSH tunnels establish completely
  2. Port forwards activate before connections
  3. Avoids premature connection attempts

Development Roadmap

Future enhancements include:

  • Expanded NoSQL database support
  • Visual schema modification tools
  • Customizable keybinding profiles
  • Table relationship visualizations
  • Query history management

Competitive Advantages

Feature Comparison

Feature GUI Tools SQL CLI LazySQL
Launch Speed Slow Fast Instant
Resource Usage High Low Minimal
Learning Curve Shallow Steep Gradual
Cross-DB Support Partial Full Unified

Unique Benefits

  1. Terminal Integration: Eliminates environment switching
  2. Keyboard Efficiency: Full operation without mouse
  3. Lightweight: Go-compiled with zero dependencies
  4. Extensible: Custom pre-connection commands
  5. Open Source: Community-driven MIT-licensed project

Conclusion: The Future of Terminal Database Management

LazySQL redefines database administration by:

  • Eliminating GUI tool bloat
  • Simplifying complex SQL operations
  • Unifying multi-database workflows

For developers, DBAs, and sysadmins, LazySQL delivers unprecedented terminal efficiency. Its philosophy remains simple: database management should be intuitive, keyboard-driven, and resource-efficient.

Project Repository: https://github.com/jorgerojas26/lazysql
Install today and transform your terminal database workflow.