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SQLiteViewer (branded on Windows as SQLite Viewer Pro) is an unprivileged, local-first SQLite database browser built with standard Python and Tkinter. It guarantees Zero Network Egress, requires zero external pip runtime dependencies, and operates 100% offline. Machine-readable project context is indexed in llms.txt.
- What is SQLiteViewer?
- Target Personas & Discoverability
- Architecture & Data Flow
- Export Lifecycle Sequence
- Comparative Matrix vs. Alternatives
- Core Features
- Getting Started & Installation
- Usage & Workflow
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Export Contract & Companion
- Microsoft Store & Packaging
- Governance & System Invariants
- Third-Party Licenses & Transparency
- Ecosystem & Sister Projects
- Security & Privacy
- Contract Tests & Verification
SQLiteViewer is a lightweight, portable desktop browser for .db, .sqlite, and .sqlite3 database files. Designed for developers, researchers, system administrators, and privacy-conscious users, it allows you to open databases instantly, inspect tables and DDL schema definitions, filter records, execute ad-hoc SQL queries, and export data as CSV or structured JSON—all without cloud connectivity or heavy multi-megabyte runtime overhead.
SQLiteViewer is built to serve four primary personas with zero friction:
- Profile: Software engineers creating Python (PySide, Tkinter, PyQt), FastAPI, Django, or CLI applications who need an instantaneous, zero-install SQLite inspector to verify test fixtures and state files.
- Pain Point: Waiting for a 300+ MB Java IDE (DBeaver) or installing multi-megabyte C++ binaries just to inspect a 20 KB local test database.
- High-Intent Search Queries:
local-first SQLite viewer Python Tkinterlightweight SQLite browser without bloatinspect sqlite3 db from python apppython tkinter sqlite gui table browser
- Profile: Academics, healthcare data researchers, and analysts working with sensitive, air-gapped survey datasets or clinical databases.
- Pain Point: Modern web-based database viewers and cloud-connected dashboards risk data exfiltration and violate strict institutional privacy policies.
- High-Intent Search Queries:
offline SQLite database viewer zero network egressair-gapped SQLite viewer privacy firstopen source local SQLite explorerprivate sqlite browser no telemetry
- Profile: Incident responders and support technicians diagnosing application errors on client workstations where administrator elevation is prohibited.
- Pain Point: Traditional installers trigger UAC prompts and leave behind registry debris.
- High-Intent Search Queries:
portable SQLite viewer Windows unprivilegedinspect sqlite database RunAsInvokersupport triage sqlite viewer usb stickportable sqlite table browser windows
- Profile: Windows 10/11 users seeking a clean, trustworthy utility to open
.dbor.sqlitefiles by double-clicking them in File Explorer. - Pain Point: Windows provides no built-in viewer for SQLite files, leading users to untrusted online conversion websites.
- High-Intent Search Queries:
SQLite Viewer Pro Microsoft StoreWindows 11 open db file viewerdouble click sqlite file Windowssqlite viewer pro store id 9P6H501XB8JT
SQLiteViewer executes in a single unprivileged process (RunAsInvoker). The graphical user interface connects directly to Python's built-in sqlite3 engine, keeping all database interactions entirely local.
flowchart TD
User(["User / Operator / Double-Click"]) -->|"Local File Launch (sys.argv[1])"| GUI["SQLite Viewer Pro UI (Tkinter / ttk)"]
GUI --> TabData["Data Browser Tab (Sortable Treeview & Paging)"]
GUI --> TabSchema["Schema Inspector Tab (DDL Syntax Highlighting)"]
GUI --> TabSQL["SQL Editor Tab (Interactive Execution & F9)"]
GUI --> TabSettings["Settings & i18n (DE / EN Dynamic Switcher)"]
TabData -->|"Local Read-Only Query"| DBEngine["Python sqlite3 Engine (Standard Library)"]
TabSchema -->|"sqlite_master Query"| DBEngine
TabSQL -->|"User SQL Statement"| DBEngine
DBEngine -->|"Direct File Access"| DBFile[("Local SQLite Database (.db, .sqlite, .sqlite3)")]
TabData -->|"Export Request"| Exporter["Context-Aware Exporter"]
TabSQL -->|"Export Request"| Exporter
Exporter -->|"Flat Delimited Data"| CSVFile["CSV Export (.csv)"]
Exporter -->|"Envelope Schema v1"| JSONFile["JSON Export (sqliteviewer-export-v1.json)"]
JSONFile -->|"Local Offline Ingestion"| Companion["Web Companion (Offline Browser PWA)"]
classDef core fill:#e1f5fe,stroke:#0288d1,stroke-width:2px;
classDef storage fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00,stroke-width:2px;
classDef export fill:#e8f8f5,stroke:#26a69a,stroke-width:2px;
class GUI,TabData,TabSchema,TabSQL,TabSettings,DBEngine core;
class DBFile storage;
class Exporter,CSVFile,JSONFile,Companion export;
Export operations adhere to a strict context-aware protocol. The active UI tab governs whether table records or custom SQL query result sets are extracted.
sequenceDiagram
autonumber
actor User as User / Operator
participant UI as SQLite Viewer Pro (UI)
participant Core as Engine (Python sqlite3)
participant Disk as Local File System
participant Exp as Export Processor
participant Comp as Offline Web Companion
User->>UI: Select Table or Run SQL Query (F9)
UI->>Core: Execute Query on Target Database
Core->>Disk: Read Rows from .db / .sqlite
Disk-->>Core: Return Table Rows & Column Metadata
Core-->>UI: Populate Treeview & Refresh Row Counter
User->>UI: Trigger Export (Ctrl+E or Menu)
UI->>Exp: Dispatch Active View Context (Table vs. SQL Result)
alt CSV Export Mode
Exp->>Disk: Stream Formatted Comma-Separated Values
Disk-->>User: CSV File Ready for Spreadsheet Tools
else JSON Companion Mode (sqliteviewer-export-v1)
Exp->>Exp: Serialize Column Types, Metadata & Base64 BLOBs
Exp->>Disk: Write sqliteviewer-export-v1.json Envelope
Disk-->>Comp: Open Locally in Browser without Network Upload
Comp-->>User: Visual Offline Inspection & Sorting
end
SQLiteViewer is purpose-built as a local-first desktop viewer. It compares against popular alternatives across 10 architectural criteria:
| Dimension | SQLiteViewer (file-bricks) |
DB Browser for SQLite | DBeaver | SQLiteStudio | Cloud SQL SaaS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zero Network Egress (INV-LOCAL-01) |
YES (100% Offline) | YES | NO (Telemetry/Updates) | YES | NO (Cloud Mandatory) |
Unprivileged Execution (INV-LOCAL-02) |
YES (RunAsInvoker) | YES | Often Requires Admin | YES | Web Sandbox |
Runtime Dependencies (INV-LOCAL-03) |
Zero (Python Stdlib) | C++ / Qt Framework | Heavy (JVM ~300 MB) | C++ / Qt Framework | Remote Server |
Non-Destructive Default (INV-LOCAL-04) |
YES (Read-Only Default) | Edit-Centric | Edit-Centric | Edit-Centric | Remote Mutation |
Context-Aware Dual Export (INV-LOCAL-05) |
YES (CSV + JSON Envelope) | CSV Only | CSV, JSON, XML | CSV, JSON, HTML | Cloud Dumps |
Offline Browser Companion (INV-LOCAL-06) |
YES (web_companion/) |
NO | NO | NO | Web Application |
Microsoft Store Packaging (INV-LOCAL-07) |
YES (9P6H501XB8JT) |
Winget / MSI | Winget / MSI | Zip / Setup | None |
Permissive License (INV-LOCAL-08) |
MIT (Zero Copyleft) | GPLv3 (Copyleft) | Apache / Proprietary | GPLv3 (Copyleft) | Proprietary |
Bilingual Parity EN/DE (INV-LOCAL-09) |
YES (100% Reciprocal) | Partial UI | Partial UI | Partial UI | English Only |
Security SLA (INV-LOCAL-10) |
48-Hour Response SLA | Community Best Effort | Commercial SLA | Community Best Effort | Vendor SLA |
- Fast Table Browser: Sortable columns, adjustable column widths, and responsive paging for databases with millions of records.
- Interactive Schema Inspector: View exact
CREATE TABLE,CREATE INDEX, andCREATE TRIGGERDDL statements. - SQL Query Editor: Multi-line SQL console with query execution (
F9), error highlighting, and timing metrics. - Instant Search: Dynamic column-based filtering across active table rows.
- Context-Aware Export: Export visible rows directly to CSV or rich JSON (
sqliteviewer-export-v1.json). - Dynamic Internationalization: Instant runtime language switching between English and German via the UI menu.
- Offline Web Companion: Explore exported JSON datasets in any modern browser without installing software or running a local server.
- Single Executable & Store Ready: Packaged for seamless Windows Store deployment (
SQLite Viewer Pro) or standalone Python execution.
Install directly from the Microsoft Store with automatic file associations and background updates:
- Product Name: SQLite Viewer Pro
- Store ID:
9P6H501XB8JT - Store Link: SQLite Viewer Pro on Microsoft Store
Prerequisites: Python 3.10 or newer (Tkinter is included in standard Python distributions).
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/file-bricks/SQLiteViewer.git
cd SQLiteViewer
# Run directly
python SQLiteViewer.pyTo open a specific database immediately:
python SQLiteViewer.py path/to/database.sqlite- Open a Database: Press
Ctrl+Oor drag and drop a.db,.sqlite, or.sqlite3file onto the window. - Inspect Tables: Select a table from the sidebar. The Data tab displays records in a sortable grid.
- Filter Records: Press
Ctrl+Fto focus the search bar, type your query, and pressEnter. - Inspect Schema: Switch to the Schema tab to view column types, primary keys, and foreign keys.
- Execute SQL: Switch to the SQL Editor tab, compose your query, and press
F9. - Export Visible Data: Press
Ctrl+Eto open the export dialog. Choose between standard CSV and structuredsqliteviewer-export-v1.json.
| Shortcut | Action | Scope |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl+O |
Open SQLite database file | Global |
Ctrl+F |
Focus search / filter bar | Data Tab |
Ctrl+E |
Trigger context-aware export | Data / SQL Tab |
F5 |
Refresh current table data | Data Tab |
F9 |
Execute SQL query | SQL Editor Tab |
Esc |
Clear search filter or close modal | Global |
SQLiteViewer implements the sqliteviewer-export-v1 schema specification (documented in full in EXPORTFORMAT.md). Unlike raw dumps, exported JSON envelopes contain structured provenance metadata:
{
"schema_version": "sqliteviewer-export-v1",
"app_name": "SQLite Viewer Pro",
"app_version": "2.1.0",
"exported_at": "2026-09-14T17:50:00+02:00",
"source": {
"database_path": "C:/data/sample.sqlite",
"database_name": "sample.sqlite",
"view": "table",
"table": "records",
"query": null,
"row_limit": 1000,
"sort_column": "id",
"sort_descending": false
},
"columns": ["id", "timestamp", "payload"],
"row_count": 1,
"result_rows": [
{"id": 1, "timestamp": "2026-09-14 12:00:00", "payload": "Sample"}
]
}The exported file can be dropped into the standalone web_companion/ browser tool for instant client-side inspection without network transmission.
SQLiteViewer is packaged as a standard Windows Desktop Bridge application (SQLite Viewer Pro):
- Package Identity:
Geiger.SQLiteViewerPro - Publisher CN:
CN=52596601-BAB4-4F3F-B182-E8F3F273B202 - Store ID:
9P6H501XB8JT - Execution Alias:
sqliteviewer.exe - Manifest:
store_package.jsonandAppxManifest.xml - Build Scripts:
build_exe.batandSQLiteViewer.spec
SQLiteViewer strictly adheres to the ten foundational system invariants of the open-bricks and file-bricks desktop family:
| Invariant | Title | Implementation Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
INV-LOCAL-01 |
Zero Network Egress | 100% offline. Zero HTTP requests, analytics, telemetry, or cloud synchronization. |
INV-LOCAL-02 |
Unprivileged Execution | Runs under standard user rights (RunAsInvoker). No administrative prompts. |
INV-LOCAL-03 |
Zero External Runtime Dependencies | Powered solely by Python standard library (sqlite3) and Tkinter. |
INV-LOCAL-04 |
Non-Destructive File Association | Safe, read-only exploration by default. Does not alter database files on open. |
INV-LOCAL-05 |
Context-Aware Dual Export | Context-sensitive extraction to CSV and structured JSON envelope schema. |
INV-LOCAL-06 |
Offline Browser Companion | Includes zero-dependency HTML/JS companion (web_companion/) for client-side review. |
INV-LOCAL-07 |
Standard Store Packaging | Clean AppX/MSIX manifest compatibility with verified Store ID 9P6H501XB8JT. |
INV-LOCAL-08 |
100% Permissive Open Source | Pure MIT License. Zero copyleft encumbrance on user databases or pipelines. |
INV-LOCAL-09 |
Bilingual Parity EN/DE | Full reciprocal English/German user guides and runtime UI localization. |
INV-LOCAL-10 |
Security & Vulnerability SLA | Documented 48-hour response SLA for security and vulnerability disclosures. |
SQLiteViewer relies exclusively on permissive, open-source foundations. Complete audit documentation is maintained in THIRD_PARTY_LICENSES.md.
- Python Standard Library:
PSF-2.0(Permissive, non-copyleft) - Tcl/Tk Windowing System:
Tcl/Tk License(BSD-style permissive) - Development Toolchain:
pytest(MIT),ruff(MIT / Apache-2.0) - User Data Independence: Your databases, schemas, queries, and exported datasets remain strictly your property. No copyleft terms attach to processed data.
SQLiteViewer is maintained under the file-bricks organization and forms part of the wider open-bricks open-source desktop software suite.
Sister projects in the ecosystem:
- LaunchBoards: Local-first, keyboard-driven desktop workspace launcher.
- SoftwareCenter: Centralized unprivileged Windows software and package navigator.
- ProSync: Deterministic local directory synchronization and differential backup engine.
- ProFiler: High-performance filesystem profiler and storage analyzer.
- CleanMarkdown: Deterministic Markdown sanitizer and formatter.
- Privacy Policy: Read our complete privacy declaration in
PRIVACY_POLICY.md. SQLiteViewer collects zero telemetry and transmits no user data. - Security Policy & SLA: See
SECURITY.mdfor vulnerability disclosure protocols. We commit to a 48-hour initial response SLA (INV-LOCAL-10).
The integrity of SQLiteViewer's functionality, UI contracts, and metadata is enforced by an automated pytest test suite:
# Run all automated unit and contract tests
pytest -ra -vTest coverage includes:
tests/test_sql_execution.py: Safe query execution, error trapping, and data types.tests/test_translations.py: Complete key parity across English and German locales.tests/test_cli_db_argument.py: Filepath validation and CLI parameter handling.tests/test_store_screenshots.py: High-resolution asset generation and Store guidelines.tests/test_metadata.py: Automated contract verification for banner safety (HOOK-BANNER-ASSET-01), Mermaid diagram syntax, 16-point bilingual parity, target personas, and comparative matrix consistency.
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
Dieses Projekt ist eine unentgeltliche Open-Source-Schenkung im Sinne der §§ 516 ff. BGB. Die Haftung des Urhebers ist gemäß § 521 BGB auf Vorsatz und grobe Fahrlässigkeit beschränkt. Ergänzend gilt der Haftungsausschluss der MIT-Lizenz. Nutzung auf eigenes Risiko. Keine Wartungszusage, keine Verfügbarkeitsgarantie, keine Gewähr für Fehlerfreiheit oder Eignung für einen bestimmten Zweck.
This project is an unpaid open-source donation. Liability is limited to intent and gross negligence (§ 521 German Civil Code). Use at your own risk. No warranty, no maintenance guarantee, no fitness-for-purpose assumed.