Gridline
A lightweight, open-source database GUI for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and Redis.
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.
---
## Download
Grab the installer for your OS from the [latest release](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest) — links always point to the newest build:
| OS | Architecture | Download |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **macOS** | Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_darwin_aarch64.dmg](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_darwin_aarch64.dmg) |
| **macOS** | Intel | [Gridline_darwin_x64.dmg](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_darwin_x64.dmg) |
| **Windows** | x64 | [Gridline_windows_x64-setup.exe](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_windows_x64-setup.exe) |
| **Debian / Ubuntu** | amd64 | [Gridline_linux_amd64.deb](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_amd64.deb) |
| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE** | x86_64 | [Gridline_linux_x86_64.rpm](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_x86_64.rpm) |
| **Other Linux** | amd64 | [Gridline_linux_amd64.AppImage](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_amd64.AppImage) |
> Not sure if your Mac is Intel or Apple Silicon? See [Which file should I download?](#which-file-should-i-download) below. All installers are **unsigned** — see the [notes](#which-file-should-i-download) on first-launch warnings.
---
## 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 MySQL + SQLite browsing** — connect, browse, query, and edit MySQL and SQLite the same way you do PostgreSQL.
- **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
- **2026-08-05:** v0.7.5 — bundled `pg_dump`/`pg_restore`/`psql` (system-first, bundled fallback) so admin features work with no separate install; schema CRUD (create/rename/drop with CASCADE + dependency warning); Cmd+K object search (current schema, all object types); copy-as-DDL for every browsable object type; `pg_depend` object-dependency view shown before destructive drops.
- **2026-08-04:** v0.7.5 — revamped the New Connection screen into a two-stage flow with a 6-provider grid (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, Supabase, NeonDB; managed presets ship with setup guides + SSL hints) and added full MySQL DB viewer support (connect, browse, query, inline cell editing + changes queue, DDL copy).
- **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.
- **Provider grid** — pick PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, Supabase, or NeonDB; managed presets surface in-app setup guides and an SSL hint.
- **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 CRUD** — create/rename/drop schemas from the object tree, with typed-name + dependency warning on CASCADE drops.
- **Global object search** — ⌘K, current schema, all object types; results open a table tab or jump to the Objects view.
- **Copy as DDL** — `CREATE` DDL for every browsable object type.
- **Object dependencies** — `pg_depend` "what depends on this?" view before destructive drops.
- **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.
- **Bundled client tools** — `pg_dump`/`pg_restore`/`psql` ship with the app; system tools are preferred when present, bundled tools are the fallback.
---
## Screenshots
Query Editor
|
Schema Visualizer
|
JSON Viewer
|
Home Screen
|
---
## Why Gridline vs the alternatives?
Capabilities below are fact-checked against each vendor's official docs and pricing (May 2026).
| Capability | DB Pro (Free) | Beekeeper (Free) | TablePlus (Free) | Gridline |
| :----------------------------- | :--------------------------: | :-----------------------------: | :-------------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------: |
| Open tabs | 3 | Unlimited | 2 | **Unlimited** |
| Saved connections | 2 | Unlimited | Unlimited | **Unlimited** |
| Saved queries | 5 | Unlimited | Unlimited | **Unlimited** |
| Data export (CSV, JSON, SQL) | ✅ (unlimited = paid) | 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, indexes, enums | Tables, views, routines, triggers | Tables, views, functions, procedures | **Functions, Triggers, Sequences, Enums, Extensions + full detail** |
| ER diagram / schema visualizer | ✅ view-only | ❌ paid only | ❌ | **✅ React Flow + dagre** |
| SSH tunneling | ❌ paid only | ✅ | ✅ | **✅ Password + key auth, keychain** |
| OS credential vault | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | **Keychain / Secret Service / Credential Manager** |
| Workspace / folder hierarchy | ✅ query/dash folders + tags | ✅ (5.7+, local) | ❌ | **Multi-level tree + tags** |
| Changes queue (stage → commit) | ❌ | ✅ Apply/Discard | ✅ Safe mode | **✅ Queue → Commit All** |
| Desktop shell size | Electron | Electron (~250 MB) | Native | **Tauri 2.0 (~40 MB)** |
| Open source | ❌ | ✅ GPLv3 | ❌ | **✅ Apache 2.0** |
*Notes: DB Pro is an Electron app (launched Nov 2025) whose marketing copy overclaims — its free plan caps connections/tabs/saved queries (FAQ inconsistently claims "unlimited local connections") and gates data imports + SSH tunneling to paid, though CSV/JSON export does work on the free tier; Beekeeper's free Community edition genuinely offers unlimited tabs/connections/queries but gates backup/restore, file import, multi-table export, ERD, AI, and premium DB connectors behind paid tiers; TablePlus's free tier includes every feature but caps you at 2 open tabs / 2 windows / 2 advanced filters.*
---
## 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) | PostgreSQL via tokio-postgres; MySQL via sqlx; SQLite via rusqlite |
| **CLI integration** | `std::process::Command` | Wraps bundled or 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. The links below always point at the newest build (the asset names are version-free, so they never go stale):
| Your system | Download this | Notes |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| macOS **Apple Silicon** (M1/M2/M3/M4…) | [Gridline_darwin_aarch64.dmg](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_darwin_aarch64.dmg) | `aarch64` = Apple's own chip |
| macOS **Intel** | [Gridline_darwin_x64.dmg](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_darwin_x64.dmg) | `x64` = Intel/AMD |
| **Windows** (most PCs) | [Gridline_windows_x64-setup.exe](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_windows_x64-setup.exe) | The `.msi` is an alternate installer (for enterprises/IT admins) |
| **Debian / Ubuntu** | [Gridline_linux_amd64.deb](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_amd64.deb) | Install: `sudo apt install ./Gridline_linux_amd64.deb` |
| **Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE** | [Gridline_linux_x86_64.rpm](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_x86_64.rpm) | Install: `sudo dnf install Gridline_linux_x86_64.rpm` |
| **Any other Linux** | [Gridline_linux_amd64.AppImage](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/releases/latest/download/Gridline_linux_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 `prod`, which is the production branch** — only push release tags from `prod`, never from feature branches:
```bash
git checkout prod && git pull
git tag v0.7.5
git push origin v0.7.5
```
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`/`pg_restore`/`psql` are **bundled** with Gridline — no separate install required for backup/restore/sync. (System tools, if installed, are preferred.)
---
## 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
The full plan — in-development (v0.7.5), next-up, queue, and shipped history — lives in **[ROADMAP.md](./ROADMAP.md)**.
Highlights of what's next:
- **Full Object Management** — CRUD on functions, triggers, sequences, enums, extensions, and views without the Query tab (schema CRUD, global object search, copy-as-DDL, and object dependencies shipped in v0.7.5)
- **Full Redis support** — key browser, type-aware value editors, TTL management
- **More database types** — MariaDB, TimescaleDB, and friends
- **Managed DB support** — PlanetScale, Turso (Supabase/Neon presets shipped in v0.7.5)
- **AI integration (BYOK)** — natural-language → SQL, chat, summaries, charts
✅ **[View the full roadmap →](./ROADMAP.md)**
---
## Table of Contents
- [Download](#download)
- [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.
- Report a bug via the **[issue template](.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md)** — it walks you through environment details (OS, Gridline version, DB type/version, connection method) so we can reproduce issues quickly. Opening a [new issue](https://github.com/AdrianBonpin/gridline/issues/new) pre-fills the template automatically.
- 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.