| name | sqlite3-cli |
| description | Queries and inspects SQLite files with the sqlite3 CLI using Markdown table output by default. Use when exploring a .sqlite database, verifying rows after migrations, reproducing data issues, or when the user mentions sqlite3, SQLite CLI, or ad-hoc DB inspection. |
sqlite3 CLI (Markdown by default)
Default output
Before running any SELECT (or when starting a session), use column headers and Markdown tables so results paste cleanly into chat and docs.
Non-interactive (preferred for agents): prefix every sqlite3 invocation that prints query results with:
sqlite3 /path/to/db.sqlite \
-cmd ".headers on" \
-cmd ".mode markdown" \
"SELECT * FROM my_table LIMIT 10;"
Interactive: open the DB, then run:
.headers on
.mode markdown
Keep .headers on and .mode markdown until you intentionally switch modes (e.g. .mode list for machine parsing).
Open a database
sqlite3 /path/to/database.sqlite
For an application database, inspect the target repository's configuration and
schema documentation to identify the same database file used by the running
application. Do not assume a conventional path or filename.
Common inspection commands
Run these after the default .headers on / .mode markdown (or pass the same -cmd lines before the SQL argument).
| Goal | Command / SQL |
|---|
| List tables | .tables |
| Table DDL | .schema events (replace name) |
| Full schema | .schema |
| Columns + types | PRAGMA table_info(events); |
| Row count | SELECT COUNT(*) AS n FROM events; |
Multi-statement scripts
sqlite3 /path/to/db.sqlite <<'SQL'
.headers on
.mode markdown
SELECT id, title FROM events ORDER BY occurred_at DESC LIMIT 5;
SQL
Notes
- Requires a system
sqlite3 with .mode markdown (SQLite 3.41+). If markdown is missing, fall back to .mode box or .mode column and still use .headers on.
- Do not rely on
:memory: for inspecting a running app’s data unless the process shares that in-memory DB; prefer the on-disk path the server uses.
