Tabularis
A lightweight, cross-platform database client for developers. Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite. Hackable with plugins. Built for speed, security, and aesthetics.
Last verified:
What is Tabularis?
Tabularis is an open-source desktop database management client built for modern developers working with PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, and SQLite. Built with Rust (Tauri v2) backend and React 19 frontend, it is fast, lightweight, and cross-platform on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The tool is specifically designed for the 2026 reality where AI agents inside Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf draft and execute SQL, while still providing a first-class human workspace for traditional SQL work.
Key features include MCP-native integration with a built-in Model Context Protocol server allowing AI agents to inspect schemas and run queries through the same app, Monaco-based SQL editor with live autocomplete on real table/column names, SQL Notebooks with inline charts and cross-cell variables, visual query builder with drag-and-drop JOINs, ER diagram generation from live schema, AI-powered SQL generation from natural language supporting OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Ollama, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, inline data editing in a virtualized data grid, schema management with DDL preview, SSH tunneling for secure remote access, and a language-agnostic plugin system via JSON-RPC 2.0 that lets you add any database driver written in Rust, Go, Python, Node.js, or any language.
Tabularis is ideal for developers, data engineers, database administrators, and analysts who work with databases daily and want a modern, hackable tool that doesn't compromise on core SQL functionality. It appeals to privacy-focused users since all data stays local, secrets are stored in the OS keychain, and it is fully open-source under Apache 2.0 license. The tool supports both human workflows (editor, notebooks, visual builder) and AI agent workflows (MCP server) without requiring fragile ad-hoc scripts or credential leakage into chat windows.
Tabularis pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Tabularis is fully open-source and completely free under the Apache 2.0 license. There are no paid plans, subscription tiers, or premium features. All features including SQL editor, notebooks, AI assistant, MCP server, plugin system, SSH tunneling, and all database support are available without any cost. The tool is free for individual developers and teams alike, with unlimited connections, unlimited databases, and no usage restrictions.
Tabularis pros
- Fully open-source under Apache 2.0 license, completely free with no paid tiers
- Built with Rust and Tauri v2 for exceptional speed and low resource usage under 10MB
- Cross-platform support on Windows, macOS, and Linux with native packages
- MCP-native with built-in Model Context Protocol server for AI agent integration
- Supports PostgreSQL with multi-schema, MySQL/MariaDB with multi-database, and SQLite
- Language-agnostic plugin system via JSON-RPC 2.0 over stdin/stdout
- Hot install plugins without restarting the app from Settings → Plugins
- Process isolation for plugins so crashes don't take down the whole app
- Monaco-based SQL editor with live autocomplete on real table and column names
- SQL Notebooks with inline charts, Markdown, and cross-cell variables
- Visual query builder with drag-and-drop canvas generating SQL in real time
- AI SQL generation from natural language supporting OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Ollama
- SSH tunneling with both native Rust (russh) and system SSH backends
- Password and secret storage in OS keychain only, never written to disk
- ER diagram generation from live schema using Dagre layout engine
- Visual EXPLAIN for query optimization analysis
- Split view for side-by-side connection work
- Read-only mode blocking DML and DDL at application layer with AST parsing
- Connection health check with automatic reconnection and ping loop every 30 seconds
- Export query results to CSV or JSON with streaming and cancellation support
- SQL dump and import with progress tracking and cancellation support
- 10+ built-in themes with custom theme support
- Fully customizable keyboard shortcuts
- Multi-language support including EN, IT, ES, ZH
Tabularis cons
- No cloud or SaaS version, desktop-only application
- Linux requires webkit2gtk-4.1 and libsecret-1 dependencies to install
- Plugin drivers require external executable speaking JSON-RPC over stdin/stdout
- AI features require explicit configuration of AI provider endpoint and API key
- MCP server integration requires compatible AI agents like Claude Desktop or Cursor
- Multi-database support only for MySQL/MariaDB, not PostgreSQL or SQLite
- Read-only mode is client-side guard not substitute for database-level permissions
- macOS may block app after direct download requiring xattr command to run
- No built-in user permission management or role-based access control
- Connection health check ping interval minimum is 0 seconds (disabled) to maximum 120 seconds
- SQLite only supports file-based connections, no server-mode SQLite
- No native support for SQL Server, Oracle, or MongoDB without custom plugins
- No mobile app version for iOS or Android
- No team collaboration features like shared connections or real-time sync
- No built-in data masking or anonymization for sensitive data
Frequently asked questions about Tabularis
What databases does Tabularis support natively?
Tabularis natively supports PostgreSQL (with multi-schema support), MySQL/MariaDB (with multi-database support), and SQLite (file-based). Each built-in driver has its own branded icon in the Connections page. Additional database engines can be added via the JSON-RPC plugin system, with community drivers available for DuckDB, Redis (Go and Rust), ClickHouse, CSV folders, and even Hacker News.
Is Tabularis free or does it have a paid plan?
Tabularis is completely free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 license. There are no paid tiers, subscriptions, or premium features. All functionality including AI assistance, MCP server, plugin system, and all database support is available without any cost for both individual and team use.
How does the AI assistant work in Tabularis?
Tabularis integrates a privacy-first AI assistant directly into the SQL Editor and notebooks. It generates SQL from natural language using OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Ollama, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. The AI can explain complex queries breaking down joins, subqueries, and filters in plain language, suggest optimization directions, generate descriptive names for notebook cells, and name SQL result tabs. All four prompts (System, Explain, Notebook Cell Name, Query Tab Name) are customizable in Settings.
What is the MCP server feature?
Tabularis ships with a built-in Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows external AI agents like Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or Antigravity to interface with your saved database connections over stdio. This lets AI agents inspect schemas and run queries through the same app where you manage connections, without fragile ad-hoc scripts or credentials leaking into chat windows.
How do I install plugins for additional databases?
Plugins can be installed hot from Settings → Plugins without restarting the app. Plugins are standalone executables communicating over JSON-RPC 2.0 via stdin/stdout. Community drivers are available for DuckDB, Redis, ClickHouse, CSV folders, and Hacker News. You can also build your own plugin using the plugin guide which covers the JSON-RPC protocol, manifest format, and includes a full Rust skeleton to get started in minutes.
How does SSH tunneling work in Tabularis?
Tabularis has full SSH tunneling implemented in Rust with two backends selected automatically: russh (native Rust SSH) for password authentication, and System SSH for key-only authentication which spawns your system ssh binary and parses ~/.ssh/config supporting ProxyJump chains and IdentityFile directives. SSH profiles are reusable across multiple database connections and stored in ssh_connections.json. Dynamic port assignment handles local port selection automatically.
Wheredoes Tabularis store my data and credentials?
Tabularis stores all data locally on your machine. Nothing is sent to external servers except your chosen database host, GitHub API for update checks (if enabled), and your configured AI provider endpoint only when you explicitly trigger AI features. App config goes to ~/Library/Application Support/tabularis/ on macOS, connections.json for metadata, query_history per connection, SSH profiles in ssh_connections.json, saved queries as per-connection .sql files, and all passwords/API keys are stored exclusively in the OS keychain (Keychain Access on macOS, Windows Credential Manager on Windows, libsecret/GNOME Keyring/KWallet on Linux).
What are the system requirements for Tabularis?
macOS requires 10.15+ with Universal Binary supporting both Intel and Apple Silicon. Windows requires Windows 10/11 with WebView2 (pre-installed with Edge). Linux requires Ubuntu 20.04+ with webkit2gtk-4.1 and libsecret-1 dependencies. On Debian/Ubuntu install with sudo apt install libwebkit2gtk-4.1-dev libsecret-1-dev, on Arch with sudo pacman -S webkit2gtk libsecret, and on Fedora with sudo dnf install webkit2gtk4.1-devel libsecret-devel.
How do I create a database connection?
Click the new connection button in the sidebar or press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N. Fill in the name (required), select the driver (PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, or SQLite), provide host, port, database name, and username. Password is optional but stored in OS keychain if provided. For SQLite provide the absolute path to the .db or .sqlite file using the file picker instead of host/port. Enable SSH tunnel in the SSH tab if the database is in a private network. Click Test to verify the connection before saving, which makes a real connection attempt and returns the exact database error if it fails.
What keyboard shortcuts does Tabularis support?
Key global shortcuts include: Execute query is Cmd + F5 on macOS or Ctrl + F5 on Windows/Linux, Execute query in editor is Cmd + Enter on macOS or Ctrl + Enter on Windows/Linux, Tab switcher is Ctrl + Tab on all platforms, and Monaco command palette is F1 on all platforms. Create new connection is Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N, toggle Explorer sidebar is Cmd/Ctrl + B, and open Connections page is Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + C. All shortcuts are fully customizable in settings.