Connecting to a database

RED connects to four database families today:

• SQLite
• PostgreSQL
• MySQL / MariaDB
• ClickHouse (read-only)

Each connection opens a session owned by RED's backend service, which keeps it alive between queries so the schema tree and result grid stay responsive.

Opening a connection

Connections are managed from the app shell. Add one with ⌘N from the welcome screen. Once connected, the schema explorer in the sidebar lists namespaces, tables, and views - select one to preview it, or start querying from a SQL editor tab.

Passwords are stored in your operating system's keychain (Keychain / Credential Manager / Secret Service), never in plaintext.

Import existing connections

Already using another tool? RED can import saved connections from DBeaver and DBGate - it reads their stores, decrypts the credentials, and moves them into your OS keychain. Look for the import link on the welcome screen or run it from the command palette (⌘K).

SSH tunneling

A connection can reach a database through an SSH jump host - point RED at the bastion and it opens the tunnel for you, the same way a DataGrip jump host works.

Multiple connections

You can hold multiple connections at once and switch between them without losing query state. Switching is keyboard-first:

Production-safe by design

RED is built for inspection: it shows roughly enough data to make decisions quickly without loading entire tables into memory. The result grid is windowed over the full result set using keyset pagination, so browsing a multi-million row table stays fast and bounded.