A fast, driver-less PostgreSQL TUI written in Rust with vim-first navigation, ER diagrams, and safe editing.
sabiql is a fast, driver-less terminal user interface (TUI) for PostgreSQL written in Rust. It wraps your existing `psql` CLI to provide a full-featured environment for browsing, querying, and editing databases without requiring additional drivers or setup. It solves the problem of needing a GUI tool for database management while staying entirely in the terminal with vim-first navigation and safety features.
Developers, database administrators, and data engineers who work with PostgreSQL and prefer terminal-based workflows, especially those familiar with vim keybindings and seeking a lightweight, fast alternative to GUI database clients.
Developers choose sabiql because it eliminates the need for database drivers and complex setup by leveraging their existing `psql` CLI, offers a vim-native editing experience, and includes safety features like guarded edits and read-only mode, all while being fast and lightweight due to its Rust implementation.
A fast PostgreSQL TUI written in Rust — driver-less, vim-first, with ER diagrams. No database drivers, no setup, just psql
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Uses your existing `psql` CLI, so configurations like `.pgpass` and SSL work automatically without additional database drivers or complex setup.
Native vim keybindings (`j/k`, `dd`, `/`) enable seamless muscle-memory navigation and editing, ideal for vim users.
Inline cell edits and row deletions show preview modals before committing, and read-only mode (`Ctrl+R`) blocks writes at the PostgreSQL session level for added safety.
Run EXPLAIN/EXPLAIN ANALYZE and compare execution plans side-by-side within the same modal, streamlining performance tuning without external tools.
Built in Rust for minimal memory footprint and near-zero idle CPU, offering a fast and responsive TUI experience.
Heavily relies on vim keybindings, which can be a significant barrier for users not proficient in vim, reducing accessibility.
Requires `psql` CLI to be installed separately, and Graphviz for ER diagrams, adding setup steps and potential compatibility issues.
Currently only supports PostgreSQL; while MySQL support is on the roadmap, it's not yet available, limiting use in multi-database setups.
Some features like Neovim integration and zero-config connection auto-detect are still in development, as noted in the roadmap, which might affect usability.
sabiql is an open-source alternative to the following products:
DBeaver is a free, open-source universal database tool for developers and database administrators, supporting a wide range of databases including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, and more.
DataGrip is a database IDE from JetBrains for database administrators and developers working with SQL, with support for multiple databases and intelligent coding assistance.