Rowbase

io.github.djstreet11v0.2.1Updated Oct 4, 2026

Safe, read-only-by-default MySQL, PostgreSQL & SQLite access for AI agents. TOON output.

VerifiedSTDIODesktop onlyDeveloper ToolsDatabases

Overview

AI-generated overview

Read-only-by-default MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQLite access that lets an assistant explore schemas and run queries.

What it does
Rowbase is a database client with a built-in MCP server that exposes tools for listing connections, databases and tables, describing schemas, searching the schema, sampling rows, counting, running queries and explaining plans. Results are returned in a compact TOON table format that uses fewer tokens than JSON. A guide tool explains usage to the assistant. An apply_changes tool appears only when writes are explicitly allowed.
When to use it
Use it when an assistant needs to inspect or query a MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL or SQLite database, for example to answer questions about data, explore an unfamiliar schema, or draft read-only SQL. It suits users who want a database client and an MCP server in one tool.
Requirements
Runs locally over stdio. Install from PyPI as rowbase-db (for example with uvx or pipx) or download a one-file binary for macOS, Linux or Windows; the desktop app is macOS only. Database connections must be configured in Rowbase, including any SSH tunnel details. No environment variables or headers are declared.
Before you install
Connections are read-only by default and enforced at several layers, but writes can be enabled, which exposes apply_changes and lets the assistant modify data. Connection passwords are stored in the OS keychain rather than config files. Builds are not code-signed, so macOS and Windows warn on first launch. Query results are sent to the assistant you connect.

Installation

In SourceWeft

  1. Open Rowbase in the dashboard and add it to a workspace.
  2. Enable the server for the chats that should use its tools.

Desktop only via STDIO. STDIO servers start a local process, so they need the SourceWeft desktop host.

Other MCP clients

Follow the launch instructions in the repository.

README

[Rowbase icon]

Rowbase

A fast, good-looking, read-only-by-default database client — for humans and for AI agents.
MySQL / MariaDB · PostgreSQL · SQLite · native macOS app · one-file app for macOS, Linux & Windows · built-in MCP server

[Latest release] [CI] [License: Apache-2.0] [PyPI] [MCP Registry]

[Rowbase: table browser with row inspector]

Why Rowbase?

  • Safe by default. Every connection is read-only until you say otherwise — enforced at four independent layers (driver-level single statement, SQL guard, READ ONLY transaction, timeouts). Production connections get a red accent.
  • Made for AI assistants too. A built-in MCP server lets Claude, Cursor, Codex & co. explore your schema and query data — read-only unless you allow writes, with a token-efficient output format (TOON) and a built-in guide so the assistant knows how to use it. One copy-paste prompt sets everything up.
  • One file, no installer. Download a single binary for macOS, Linux or Windows and run it — no admin rights, no Python, no drivers to install. Or use the native macOS app.
  • Nice to use. Foreign-key navigation, "referenced by", transpose, column picker, schema-aware autocomplete, EXPLAIN highlighting, query cancel, inline editing with SQL preview, export to CSV/JSON/Markdown/SQL, SSH tunnels.
  • Open source under Apache-2.0. Passwords live in your OS keychain, never in config files.
[SQL editor with autocomplete and results][Inline editing with pending changes]
SQL editor: autocomplete, ⌘↩ runs the statement under the caret, EXPLAIN, cancelEdit rows safely: pending changes, SQL preview, one atomic save

Download

Grab the latest from Releases:

PlatformFileHow to run
macOS (native app)Rowbase-x.y.z.dmgopen, drag to Applications
macOS (one file)rowbase-macos-arm64chmod +x rowbase-macos-arm64 && ./rowbase-macos-arm64
Linux x64 / arm64rowbase-linux-x64 / -arm64chmod +x rowbase-linux-* && ./rowbase-linux-x64 (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 10+, RHEL 8+)
Windows 10 / 11rowbase-windows-x64.exedouble-click

Started without arguments, the one-file app opens the web UI in your browser. Builds are not code-signed yet: macOS → System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway; Windows → More info → Run anyway.

Connect your AI assistant (MCP)

Open AI / MCP in the app, click Copy prompt, paste it into your assistant — it registers the server, reads the built-in guide and creates a reusable skill. Or register manually:

bash
claude mcp add rowbase -- /path/to/rowbase mcp          # one-file binary or appclaude mcp add rowbase -- uvx --from rowbase-db rowbase mcp   # straight from PyPI, nothing to download

Listed in the official MCP Registry as io.github.djstreet11/rowbase.

Results come back as compact TOON tables (~40% fewer tokens than JSON):

rows[2]{id,customer,total}:  1,"Smith, Bob",9.50  2,ann,nulltruncated: false

Tools: guide, connections, databases, tables, describe, search_schema, sample, count, query, explain (+ apply_changes only when you allow writes). Details: docs/MCP.md.

CLI

Install from PyPI (pipx install rowbase-db / uv tool install rowbase-db) or use a one-file download.

bash
rowbase add shop 'postgres://[email protected]/shop?ssh=deploy@bastion'   # read-only unless --rwrowbase tables -c shoprowbase q "SELECT * FROM orders WHERE status = 'new'" -c shop --format jsonrowbase ui        # web UI on http://127.0.0.1:8765rowbase mcp       # MCP server (stdio)rowbase doctor    # environment report
Dark mode[Dark mode]

Build from source

  • Python track: python3 -m venv .venv && .venv/bin/pip install -e . && .venv/bin/rowbase ui
  • One-file binaries: docs/BUILDING.md · Native macOS app: cd native && swift build · releases: docs/RELEASING.md
  • Architecture & roadmap: SPEC.md

Contributing

Issues, ideas and pull requests are welcome — see CONTRIBUTING.md and the Code of Conduct. If Rowbase is useful to you, a ⭐ helps others find it.

License

Apache-2.0 — see NOTICE and THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md.

Source: README.md at commit 2a72dc3

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Version history

1
  1. v0.2.1LatestOct 4, 2026