Gridline
A lightweight, open-source database GUI for PostgreSQL and SQLite.
Unlimited connections, tabs, and saved queries — with first-class pg_dump, pg_restore, and DB-to-DB sync.
Data Grid & FK Preview — browse 50+ real demo orders and inspect related rows in one click.
---
## What is Gridline?
Gridline is a modern, open-source database GUI client built with [Tauri 2.0](https://tauri.app), Rust, and React. It is lightweight by design (~40 MB baseline), powerful by default, and free from the paywalls that limit commercial alternatives.
- **No caps** on connections, tabs, or saved queries.
- **Deep PostgreSQL tooling** — visual `pg_dump`, `pg_restore`, and DB-to-DB sync.
- **Full object explorer** — not just tables, but functions, triggers, sequences, enums, extensions, materialized views, and procedures.
- **Interactive ER diagram** — explore relationships visually with crow's-foot cardinality notation.
- **Production-safe editing** — stage INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE changes, review the generated SQL, then commit all at once.
The app ships with a built-in **Gridline Demo (SQLite)** database, so you can explore every feature immediately without setting up a server.
---
## Who is it for?
Gridline is built for developers and small teams who manage multiple database environments:
- **Full-stack developers** switching between local, staging, and production databases.
- **Platform / DBAs** who need `pg_dump`, `pg_restore`, and sync tooling in a native UI.
- **Teams that want native speed** without Electron bloat or seat licenses.
---
## Recent Changes
- **2026-08-04:** Revamped the built-in SQLite demo database with realistic e-commerce data (20 users, 24 products, 50 orders, 100 page views, 500 audit rows) and renamed it to **Gridline Demo (SQLite)**.
- **2026-07-XX:** Added inline cell editing with a stage-first changes queue, row-detail drawer, keyboard navigation, and cell-level copy.
- **2026-07-XX:** Added visual filter builder with drag-and-drop column palette and type-aware operators.
- **2026-07-XX:** Added schema visualizer with React Flow + dagre, crow's-foot notation, and cross-schema FK support.
- **2026-07-XX:** Added query history dropdown, saved queries, and a two-pane Queries view.
- **2026-06-XX:** Added settings redesign with live theme, accent color, font size, editor options, and tag reorder.
- **2026-06-XX:** Added SSH tunneling (password + key auth) and full PostgreSQL TLS runtime for production connections.
> See the full history in the [roadmap](#roadmap) below or the [git log](./commits).
---
## Key Features
### Connections & Workspace
- **URI auto-fill** — paste `postgres://`, `mysql://`, `sqlite://`, or `redis://` strings and have all fields populate automatically.
- **Workspace tree** — multi-level folders, color-coded tags, favorites, and recent connections.
- **OS keychain storage** — passwords and SSH secrets live in macOS Keychain / Linux Secret Service / Windows Credential Manager, never in plaintext.
- **SSH tunneling** — real `ssh2` tunnels with password or key authentication.
- **TLS / SSL** — full PostgreSQL/MySQL TLS modes plus client-certificate support.
- **Connection status** — on-demand per-card test with real server version and latency.
### Schema Explorer
- **Tables, views, and materialized views** — column metadata, PK/FK, defaults, nullable flags.
- **Functions & procedures** — syntax-highlighted source, argument signatures, overload disambiguation.
- **Triggers, sequences, enums, extensions** — unified **Objects** view with type switcher.
- **Indexes & constraints** — per-table index details plus CHECK/UNIQUE constraints beyond PK/FK.
- **Schema visualizer** — interactive ER diagram with auto-layout, cardinality legend, and collapsible columns.
### Data Grid
- **Virtualized rows** — handles 100k+ rows via `@tanstack/react-virtual`.
- **Server-side filtering & sorting** — pushed to SQL `WHERE`/`ORDER BY`.
- **FK preview** — click the ↗ icon on a foreign-key cell to inspect the referenced row or open a filtered tab.
- **JSON/JSONB viewer** — formatted and raw tabs with copy.
- **Inline cell editing** — double-click or press Enter; changes stage through the queue before commit.
- **Smart editors** — enum dropdowns for PG enum columns, searchable FK dropdowns for related rows.
- **Visual filter builder** — drag-and-drop columns with type-aware operators.
- **Export** — JSON, CSV, SQL, and Markdown downloads of visible rows.
- **Auto-refresh** — configurable interval timer.
### Query Workbench
- **Monaco SQL editor** — lazy-loaded, with keywords + table/column autocomplete.
- **Custom query execution** — arbitrary SQL with destructive-query confirmation.
- **Query tabs** — unlimited tabs, close with `Cmd/Ctrl+W`.
- **Query history** — per-connection, with favorites and pruning.
- **Saved queries** — name, folder, and manage them in the Queries view.
- **Changes queue** — stage edits, review generated SQL, revert per change, then commit all.
### PostgreSQL Admin Tools
- **Visual Backup** — `pg_dump` wrapper with format selector, schema filter, no-owner toggle, real-time progress.
- **Visual Restore** — `pg_restore` wrapper with clean toggle and destructive confirmation.
- **DB-to-DB Sync** — pipe `pg_dump` → `pg_restore` between two connections.
---
## Screenshots
Query Editor
|
Schema Visualizer
|
JSON Viewer
|
Home Screen
|
---
## Why Gridline vs the alternatives?
| Capability | DB Pro (Free) | Beekeeper (Free) | Gridline |
| :----------------------------- | :------------: | :----------------: | :---------------------------------------------------: |
| Open tabs | 3 | Unlimited | **Unlimited** |
| Saved connections | 2 | Unlimited | **Unlimited** |
| Saved queries | 5 | Unlimited | **Unlimited** |
| Data export (CSV, JSON, SQL) | ❌ paid only | Basic only | **JSON, CSV, SQL, Markdown** |
| `pg_dump` / `pg_restore` GUI | ❌ | ❌ paid only | **First-class UI** |
| DB-to-DB sync | ❌ | ❌ | **Built-in pipe sync** |
| Object explorer depth | Tables, views | Tables, views | **Functions, Triggers, Enums, Sequences, Extensions** |
| ER diagram / schema visualizer | ❌ | ❌ paid only | **✅ React Flow + dagre** |
| SSH tunneling | 🔒 likely paid | ✅ | **✅ Password + key auth, keychain** |
| OS credential vault | ✅ | ✅ | **Keychain / Secret Service / Credential Manager** |
| Workspace / folder hierarchy | ❌ | ❌ | **Multi-level tree + tags** |
| Changes queue (stage → commit) | ❌ | ❌ | **✅ Queue → Commit All** |
| Desktop shell size | Native | Electron (~250 MB) | **Tauri 2.0 (~40 MB)** |
| Open source | ❌ | ✅ GPLv3 | **✅ Apache 2.0** |
---
## Tech Stack
| Layer | Technology | Role |
| :------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------- |
| **Desktop shell** | [Tauri 2.0](https://tauri.app) | Native webview container (~40 MB baseline) |
| **Backend** | Rust + [tokio](https://tokio.rs) | Async runtime, connection pooling, CLI execution |
| **DB drivers** | [sqlx](https://github.com/launchbadge/sqlx) / [tokio-postgres](https://github.com/sfackler/rust-postgres) | Pure-Rust PostgreSQL (SQLite via rusqlite) |
| **CLI integration** | `std::process::Command` | Wraps system `pg_dump` / `pg_restore` |
| **Frontend** | [React 19](https://react.dev) + [TypeScript](https://www.typescriptlang.org) | Component-based UI |
| **Styling** | [Tailwind CSS](https://tailwindcss.com) | Utility-first, dark mode, glassmorphic design |
| **State** | [Zustand](https://zustand.docs.pmnd.rs) / Jotai | Domain stores |
| **Editor** | [Monaco Editor](https://microsoft.github.io/monaco-editor/) | IDE-grade SQL editing |
| **Data grid** | [TanStack Virtual](https://tanstack.com/virtual) | 100k+ row virtualization |
| **Local store** | SQLite via [rusqlite](https://github.com/rusqlite/rusqlite) | Settings, saved queries, workspace state |
---
## Getting Started
### Download a release
Pre-built installers for macOS, Windows, and Linux are published on the [Releases](https://github.com/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases) page.
> ⚠️ Gridline is under active development. Expect rough edges and please [open issues](https://github.com/adrianbonpin/gridline/issues/new) when you hit them.
#### Installers are unsigned (for now)
Gridline is currently distributed **unsigned** — it doesn't pay for code-signing certificates yet. Your OS will warn you the first time you open it. This is expected — the app is safe, it just hasn't paid the signing fee:
- **macOS:** right-click the app → **Open** → **Open** (or System Settings → Privacy & Security → **Open Anyway**). Do this once per version.
- **Windows:** on the SmartScreen prompt, click **More info** → **Run anyway**.
- **Linux:** no warning — install and run normally.
Code signing **will be added in the future** (Apple Developer Program + a Windows signing cert, e.g. Azure Trusted Signing) — the CI workflow is already wired to pick up the signing secrets automatically the moment they exist, no workflow changes needed.
#### Which file should I download?
Each release contains **one file per platform** — you only need the one that matches your computer. (If a newer version is available, swap `0.6.0` for the version shown in the release title.)
| Your system | Download this | Notes |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| macOS **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | `Gridline_0.6.0_aarch64.dmg` | `aarch64` = Apple's own chip |
| macOS **Intel** | `Gridline_0.6.0_x64.dmg` | `x64` = Intel/AMD |
| **Windows** (most PCs) | `Gridline_0.6.0_x64-setup.exe` | The `.msi` is an alternate installer (for enterprises/IT admins) |
| **Debian / Ubuntu** | `Gridline_0.6.0_amd64.deb` | Install: `sudo apt install ./Gridline_0.6.0_amd64.deb` |
| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE** | `Gridline-0.6.0-1.x86_64.rpm` | Install: `sudo dnf install Gridline-0.6.0-1.x86_64.rpm` |
| **Any other Linux** | `Gridline_0.6.0_amd64.AppImage` | Works on every distro: `chmod +x` the file, then double-click it |
**Not sure if your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon?** Click the **Apple menu** → **About This Mac**. If it shows "Apple M1/M2/M3/M4…" download the `aarch64` file; if it shows an Intel chip, download `x64`. Downloading the wrong one won't run.
#### How releases are made
Cutting a release is one command — CI builds everything. **Releases are cut from `main`, which is the production branch** — only push release tags from `main`, never from feature branches:
```bash
git checkout main && git pull
git tag v0.6.0
git push origin v0.6.0
```
GitHub Actions (`.github/workflows/release.yml`) builds installers for **Apple Silicon, Intel Macs, Windows, and Linux**, then opens a **draft release** on the [Releases](https://github.com/adrianbonpin/gridline/releases) page — review it and hit **Publish release**.
Before tagging, make sure the version number is in sync across `package.json`, `src-tauri/Cargo.toml`, and `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`.
### Build from source
```bash
# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/adrianbonpin/gridline.git
cd gridline
# 2. Install frontend dependencies
bun install
# 3. Run in development mode with hot-reload
bun run tauri dev
# 4. Build for production
bun run tauri build
```
### System requirements
- **macOS:** 13 (Ventura) or newer
- **Windows:** 10 or newer
- **Linux:** Ubuntu 22.04+ or equivalent modern distribution
- **RAM:** 8 GB recommended
- **PostgreSQL client tools:** `pg_dump` and `pg_restore` are required for admin features
---
## Development
```bash
# Frontend only (Vite dev server)
bun run dev
# Full Tauri app with hot-reload
bun run tauri dev
# Production build
bun run tauri build
# Rust backend only
cd src-tauri
cargo build
# Run tests
cargo test
```
### Project structure
```
gridline/
├── src/ # React frontend
│ ├── components/ # Reusable UI components
│ ├── stores/ # Zustand/Jotai state stores
│ ├── hooks/ # Custom React hooks
│ ├── lib/ # Utilities, types, Tauri bindings
│ ├── App.tsx # Root component
│ └── main.tsx # Entry point
├── src-tauri/ # Rust backend
│ ├── src/
│ │ ├── main.rs # Entry point
│ │ ├── lib.rs # Tauri command registration
│ │ ├── db/ # Database connection & pooling
│ │ ├── commands/ # Tauri IPC command handlers
│ │ └── models/ # Data structures & serde types
│ ├── Cargo.toml
│ └── tauri.conf.json
├── public/ # Static assets
├── package.json
├── tsconfig.json
└── vite.config.ts
```
---
## Roadmap
### ✅ Completed
- Tauri 2.0 + React 19 + TypeScript 5.8 project shell
- PostgreSQL and SQLite browse/query support
- Connection management with URI parser, SSH tunnels, TLS, OS keychain
- Workspace tree, folders, tags, favorites, recents
- Multi-tab DB viewer with virtualized grid, server-side filtering/sorting
- FK preview, JSON popover, inline cell editing, changes queue
- Query editor with Monaco, autocomplete, destructive-query guard
- Query history, saved queries, and Queries view
- Full PostgreSQL object explorer + schema visualizer
- Backup, restore, and DB-to-DB sync tools
- Settings redesign with theme, accent color, editor options
- Built-in **Gridline Demo (SQLite)** database
### 🔮 Future
- **Multi-DB parity** — MySQL browsing, Redis key browser
- **Query workbench** — multiple result sets, visual query builder
- **Deeper PostgreSQL** — user/role management, replication views
- **Notebook reports** — SQL-backed markdown reports with embedded results
- **AI assistant (BYOK)** — bring-your-own-key natural-language → SQL, query explanations, and schema summaries
---
## Table of Contents
- [What is Gridline?](#what-is-gridline)
- [Who is it for?](#who-is-it-for)
- [Recent Changes](#recent-changes)
- [Key Features](#key-features)
- [Screenshots](#screenshots)
- [Why Gridline vs the alternatives?](#why-gridline-vs-the-alternatives)
- [Tech Stack](#tech-stack)
- [Getting Started](#getting-started)
- [Development](#development)
- [Roadmap](#roadmap)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [License](#license)
---
## Contributing
Contributions, bug reports, and feature ideas are welcome. Gridline is Apache 2.0-licensed and intentionally stays open — no paywalled tiers, no bundled proprietary services.
- Open a [GitHub Issue](https://github.com/adrianbonpin/gridline/issues/new) for bugs or ideas.
- Submit a pull request. Keep Tauri commands thin, type IPC boundaries explicitly, and follow the existing Rust/React conventions.
---
## License
Apache 2.0 — see [LICENSE](./LICENSE) for details.