SQLite Inspector

Alternative to Android Studio’s Database Inspector — lighter, portable, and independent of any IDE.
Inspect and query your on-device SQLite databases directly from VS Code, with real-time access through an embedded HTTP server.

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✨ Overview

This VS Code extension lets you connect to a running Flutter or Dart app and inspect its local SQLite database as if it were on your desktop.

It works by connecting (via ADB or TCP) to a lightweight HTTP server provided by the sqlite_inspector Dart package, which exposes a REST API for SQLite operations.
The extension automatically lists databases, tables, and schemas, and allows you to run SQL queries, view results, and export them to CSV — all inside VS Code.

Use cases

• Debugging local persistence in Flutter apps.
• Exploring on-device data without pulling .db files.
• Replacing Android Studio’s Database Inspector with a cross-platform, open-source alternative.

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🧩 Architecture

┌────────────────────┐       ┌─────────────────────────┐
│   VS Code (host)   │──────>│ sqlite_inspector server │
│  sqlite-inspector  │<──────│ (on device / emulator)  │
└────────────────────┘ HTTP  └─────────────────────────┘
    ▲
    │   adb forward tcp:7111 tcp:7111
    │
  Flutter app (debug)

• VS Code extension → handles UI (Explorer, Console, Results Panel).
• Dart package → runs a local HttpServer (SqliteInspector.start()).
• ADB → forwards the TCP port (7111 by default) to the device.

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🚀 Quick start

1️⃣ In your Flutter app

Add the Dart package to your app:

dependencies:
  sqlite_inspector: ^0.0.1

Then enable it only in debug mode:

import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
import 'package:sqlite_inspector/sqlite_inspector.dart';

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  if (kDebugMode) {
    await SqliteInspector.start(); // Default port 7111
  }

  runApp(const MyApp());
}

2️⃣ Forward the port with ADB

adb forward tcp:7111 tcp:7111

Check that the server responds:

curl http://127.0.0.1:7111/v1/health

3️⃣ Connect from VS Code

1. Open VS Code → Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P / Cmd + Shift + P).
2. Run SQLite Inspector: Connect (ADB).
3. Choose your connected device.
4. Explore your database and run queries!

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🧭 Features

Category	Description
🔌 ADB Connection	Detects devices, forwards port 7111, connects via HTTP.
🗃️ Explorer View	Lists databases → tables → columns.
📋 SQL Console	Run queries directly (Ctrl + Enter).
📊 Result Panel	Table view for query results (auto-scroll, sticky headers).
💾 Export / Copy CSV	Save or copy query results.
🔒 Safe defaults	Loopback-only, DDL disabled by default, optional token.
⚙️ Custom settings	Port, token, page size, auto-refresh interval.

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🧰 Settings

Setting	Default	Description
sqliteInspector.port	7111	Forwarded port for the HTTP server.
sqliteInspector.token	""	Optional x-debug-token for auth.
sqliteInspector.pageSize	200	Default row limit for SELECT *.
sqliteInspector.autoRefresh	false	Future use — auto-refresh based on PRAGMA data_version.

All settings can be modified in Settings → Extensions → SQLite Inspector.

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💾 Commands

Command	Action
SQLite Inspector: Connect (ADB)	Connect to a debug device.
SQLite Inspector: Disconnect	Stop connection and clear state.
SQLite Inspector: Run Selection	Execute selected SQL (Ctrl + Enter).
SQLite Inspector: Toggle DDL	Allow schema modifications temporarily.
SQLite Inspector: Export CSV	Save current result to a .csv file.
SQLite Inspector: Copy CSV	Copy last result to clipboard.
SQLite Inspector: Refresh Tree	Reload database list and tables.

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🧠 Works great with Flutter

Although designed for Flutter developers, the system is generic. Any app that can start an HTTP server exposing the same REST API as sqlite_inspector will work — including Dart CLI tools, desktop apps, or even IoT devices.

The extension doesn’t depend on Flutter tooling; it only needs an HTTP endpoint.

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🔭 Roadmap

• Multi-platform support (Android, Desktop, iOS via iproxy).
• Live refresh via PRAGMA data_version.
• WebSocket streaming.
• Secure channel & token rotation.
• Possible Flutter Web proxy mode.

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🧾 License

• This extension is licensed under the MIT License © 2025 Cristian Cisneros.
• Portions of code (Explorer structure, Results Panel rendering, CSV export logic) are adapted from AlexCovizzi/vscode-sqlite, licensed under the Apache License 2.0. See NOTICE and LICENSE for details.

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🙌 Acknowledgements

• Alex Covizzi for the original vscode-sqlite inspiration.
• The Flutter and Dart community for making developer tooling so accessible.
• Everyone who contributes or reports issues — thank you!

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🧩 Links

• 🧠 Dart package: sqlite_inspector
• 🧰 Extension source: ccisne-dev/sqlite-inspector-vscode
• 💬 Report issues: GitHub Issues