harlequin

Harlequin is a modern SQL IDE designed specifically for the terminal, bringing a full-featured database interface to command-line environments. It provides a text-based user interface for connecting to, querying, and managing databases without leaving your terminal workflow. The tool supports dozens of different databases through adapter plug-ins, making it a versatile choice for developers and data professionals who work with multiple database systems.

Built with Python, Harlequin ships with built-in support for DuckDB and SQLite, allowing users to start working with databases immediately without additional setup. The tool excels at providing an integrated experience for SQL development, featuring a data catalog for exploring database schemas, query editing capabilities, and data export functionality. It's particularly well-suited for developers who prefer terminal-based workflows, data analysts working with local databases, and anyone who needs a lightweight yet powerful SQL interface.

Harlequin offers extensive customization options including themes, key bindings, and configuration profiles, making it adaptable to different user preferences and workflows. The tool also integrates well with existing development environments, including Django projects through the django-harlequin package. With its focus on terminal usability and broad database compatibility, Harlequin serves as an excellent alternative to traditional GUI-based database tools for users who value efficiency and keyboard-driven interfaces.

Installation

# via uv (recommended)
uv tool install harlequin

# via Homebrew
brew install harlequin

# via pip
pip install harlequin