Connect to a database
Create a connection for each database you use, then open it with a click. This page covers the five database types, how passwords are handled, and how to edit, copy and delete connections.
Create a connection
On the start screen, select New connection.
Choose the database type at the top: SQLite, MySQL / MariaDB, PostgreSQL, MongoDB or LMDB. The fields below change to match.
Type a Connection name. If you leave it empty, the app names the connection after the file, or after the type and host.
Fill in the fields for your database type, as described below.
Select Save.
The connection appears in the list with its type and its file path or host:port/database. Select it to connect. A spinner replaces the menu button while the app connects.
SQLite
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| SQLite file | The path to the database file. Select Browse to pick it. |
| Password (only for encrypted / SQLCipher databases) | Leave empty for an ordinary file. |
The file must already exist. The app does not create databases.
If you open an encrypted file without a password, the app notices and asks for it. See Password-protect a SQLite file.
MySQL / MariaDB and PostgreSQL
| Field | What to enter | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Host | The server name or address | localhost |
| Port | The server port | 3306 for MySQL / MariaDB, 5432 for PostgreSQL |
| Database | The database to open | Empty |
| Username | Your database user | Empty |
| Password | That user's password | Empty |
| Use SSL / TLS | Turn on to encrypt the connection | Off |
For PostgreSQL, fill in Database: the app lists the tables in that database's public schema. With Use SSL / TLS on, PostgreSQL connections require an encrypted connection and fail if the server does not offer one.
The port changes to the default for the type you pick, until you type a port yourself.
MongoDB
The fields are the same as for MySQL and PostgreSQL, with these differences:
- The default port is
27017. - Database is labelled Database (default: test). If you leave it empty, the app opens the database called
test. - Leave Username empty for a server that does not require sign-in.
In the workspace, MongoDB collections take the place of tables.
LMDB
LMDB is a key-value store kept in a folder on disk.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| LMDB directory (or data.mdb) | The folder that holds the database. Select Browse to pick it. |
You can also type the path to the data.mdb file inside that folder, or to a database stored as a single file.
LMDB needs a system library. The dialog reminds you: Requires the system liblmdb library (Ubuntu: sudo apt install liblmdb0). See Install.
If the app cannot open the folder for writing, for example because you lack permission, it opens it read-only. You can browse, but edits fail with Environment was opened read-only.
How passwords are kept
WARNING
Saved connections, including their passwords, are stored as plain text in a file on your computer. Anyone who can read your files can read them. Do not save passwords for important databases on a shared computer.
You have two ways to avoid saving a password:
- Turn on Ask for the password every time in the connection dialog. Its note reads More secure: the password is never saved to disk. The app then asks each time you connect.
- Leave the password empty. If the server rejects the sign-in, the app asks for the password.
The password prompt has a Remember this password box, marked Stored as plain text on this computer. Tick it only if you want the password saved after all. Select Unlock to connect.
If a saved password is wrong, the same prompt appears with the server's error message, so you can type the right one.
Ask for the password every time is not offered for LMDB, which has no passwords.
Edit, duplicate or delete a connection
Select the menu button (three dots) at the right of a connection:
| Menu item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Edit | Opens the connection dialog with the saved values. |
| Duplicate | Adds a copy named with (copy) at the end. Use it to make a second connection to the same server with another database or user. |
| Delete | Removes the connection from the list at once, without asking. |
Delete removes only the saved connection. It does not touch the database.
When connecting fails
A message at the bottom of the window starts with Connection failed: followed by the reason from the database. Common causes are listed in Troubleshooting and FAQ.