Dolt Workbench is here to revive your SQL experience with its modern, browser-based interface that connects seamlessly to MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible databases. This article will guide you through the remarkable features and setup process, along with some troubleshooting tips to enhance your experience.

Features of Dolt Workbench

Whether you’re a seasoned database administrator or an eager beginner, Dolt Workbench offers a plethora of functionalities:

• Modern, Web-based Table Browser: Say goodbye to those outdated SQL interfaces! Dolt Workbench offers an intuitive UI for browsing table data.
• Auto-generate SQL Queries: No SQL knowledge? No problem! Generate queries from table cell buttons while learning along the way.
• Edit Data with Point-and-Click: Double-click cells to modify values and easily manipulate rows and tables using helper buttons.
• Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagrams: Visualize your database structure effortlessly with ER diagrams, making analysis a breeze.
• File Uploads: Import data directly through the interface from spreadsheets or local files.

Version Control Features with Dolt

Dolt isn’t just a database; it’s a game-changer in version control:

• Commit Log Visualizations: Easily track commits and gain insights into your projects through a visual commit graph.
• Branch Navigation: Create branches to group related changes for easier management and review.
• Tags: Label your data at specific points for easy identification of changes, allowing for efficient data tracking and recreation.
• Pull Requests: Propose changes to your database in a structured manner, facilitating collaboration among team members.

Getting Started with Dolt Workbench

Setup with Docker

The easiest approach to start using Dolt Workbench is via Docker. Follow these simple steps:

% docker pull dolthub/dolt-workbench:latest
% docker run -p 9002:9002 -p 3000:3000 dolthub/dolt-workbench:latest

Navigate to http://localhost:3000 to enter your database information. Additional instructions can be found on Docker Hub.

Saving Connection Information

To retain connection metadata between Docker runs, you have two options:

• Using the File Store: Mount a local directory to the app’s store directory.

% docker run -p 9002:9002 -p 3000:3000 -v ~/path/to/store:/app/graphql-server/store dolthub/dolt-workbench:latest

• Persist with MySQL: Use environment variables or a .env file to manage connection details.

# .env file example
DW_DB_DBNAME=dolt_workbench
DW_DB_PORT=3306
DW_DB_USER=username
DW_DB_PASS=password
DW_DB_HOST=host.docker.internal

Starting from Source

If you prefer setting up from the source code, clone the repository and run the necessary servers:

% cd graphql-server
% yarn
% yarn compile
% yarn dev

Then, in another shell, start the web server:

% cd packages/web
% yarn
% yarn compile
% yarn dev

Finally, open your browser to http://localhost:3002.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while setting up Dolt Workbench, here are a few troubleshooting ideas:

• Ensure that Docker is running correctly and that you have the latest version installed.
• Check your environment variables for any typos or incorrect settings.
• Verify that your database is created before running the Docker commands.
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