How I use Neovim as database client.

If you work with databases and love Neovim, you'll appreciate nvim-dbee - a plugin that turns Neovim into a powerful database client. Unlike alternatives like vim-dadbod, nvim-dbee doesn't require CLI tools, making it perfect for Docker-based workflows.

In this post, I'll show you how to set it up and supercharge it with SQL linting and formatting.

Why nvim-dbee?

• No external CLI needed: Works directly with databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, etc.).
• Docker-friendly: Ideal if you run databases in containers.
• Modern UI: It has a friendly and easy to use and manage connections.
• Auto pagination: Results are automatically split across pages.

Installation

Using lazy.nvim:

{
  "kndndrj/nvim-dbee",
  cmd = "Dbee", -- Lazy-load on command
  dependencies = { "MunifTanjim/nui.nvim" },
  build = function()
    require("dbee").install("curl") -- Requires `curl`
  end,
  opts = {}, -- Add custom config here
}

Bonus: SQL Linting & Formatting

I'm using these tools for my SQL workflow on Neovim.

• sqruff: A fast SQL formatter/linter

Setup

Use this snippet to enable sqruff.

-- For lazy.nvim
{
  "neovim/nvim-lspconfig",
  event = { "BufReadPost", "BufNewFile" },
  dependencies = {
    "williamboman/mason.nvim", -- If you use mason.nvim
  },
  opts = {
    servers = {
      sqruff = {}, -- Enable sqruff LSP server
    },
  },
  config = function(_, opts)
    local servers = opts.servers
    for server, server_opts in pairs(servers) do
      vim.lsp.enable(server)
      vim.lsp.config(server, server_opts)
    end
  end,
}

Enjoy it

Run :Dbee in Neovim and connect to your database.