Frequently asked questions

You can download LunoDB for free from our homepage. We support macOS, Windows, and Linux with cross-platform compatibility. The installation is straightforward - just download the installer for your platform and follow the simple setup process. LunoDB 2.0 takes up about 280 MB once installed on a Mac (down from about 470 MB), and the download is about a quarter smaller. A short first-run guide helps you pick a database, connect, and try Pro.

LunoDB 2.0 is a ground-up redesign. Highlights include a new Connections home with search, environment filters and paste-a-URL setup; a workspace that reconnects last session's connections side by side; one filter bar where you type a condition or describe it in plain words; an amber bar to review the exact SQL before saving, with all-or-nothing saves; a redesigned SQL editor with safer Run all; an AI assistant that answers questions from your data with a chart and the SQL behind it; and saved passwords protected by your system keychain.

You can, but 2.0 encrypts your saved passwords with your system keychain, and 1.x can't read them. Your connections stay, but you'll need to re-enter their passwords. Existing passwords are converted automatically the first time 2.0 opens, so before upgrading, make a backup in Settings → Backup to keep a copy you can restore anywhere.

Yes! LunoDB includes built-in automatic updates with varying levels of automation by platform. macOS and Windows get fully automatic updates that download and install seamlessly in the background. Linux AppImage also updates fully automatically without requiring passwords. Linux DEB packages are semi-automatic (download automatically, require password to install), while RPM packages notify you of new versions and direct you to GitHub for manual download. All versions show in-app release notes.

LunoDB is designed to be intuitive for both beginners and experts. If you're new to databases, our clean interface and helpful tooltips will guide you. For experienced developers, you'll appreciate the advanced features like syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and powerful query tools.

Absolutely! LunoDB offers a free version that includes core functionality for up to 2 database connections. Plus, you can start a 14-day Pro trial with just your email - no credit card required. This gives you full access to unlimited connections, Graphs, AI answers from your data, SSH & SSL, SQL history, and all other Pro features so you can truly experience the power of LunoDB before deciding to upgrade.

The Free version includes a basic SQL editor, table browsing, CSV export, up to 2 saved connections, and these AI features with your own API key, Ollama or Apple Intelligence: Write with AI, Filter with AI, Data Insights and Optimize. The Pro version ($10 one-time, or $1.99/mo) unlocks unlimited connections, the full SQL editor with syntax highlighting and autocomplete that knows your tables and columns, Graphs with AI chart suggestions, AI answers from your data, SSH tunneling, required and verified SSL, JSON and SQL export, copy & paste rows, editor themes, SQL history with search and favorites, and priority support. Try all Pro features free for 14 days with just your email - no credit card required!

Yes! LunoDB works with cloud database services like AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, Azure Database, DigitalOcean Managed Databases, and more. As long as you have the connection details (host, port, username, password), LunoDB can connect. You can also paste a connection URL (postgres://, mysql://, mongodb://, redis://, libsql:// and more) into New connection and the fields fill in for you, then test the connection before saving it.

Yes, the Pro version includes full SSH tunneling support. This is essential for securely connecting to databases through bastion hosts or when your database isn't directly accessible from the internet. Sign in with a password, a key file of your choice, or your SSH agent (including 1Password and Secretive). Encrypted keys ask for their passphrase once and remember it securely in your system keychain.

Every version can connect with SSL turned off or set to Prefer. LunoDB Pro adds the stricter modes (Require, Verify CA and Verify identity) and custom certificates, so you can meet your organization's security requirements.

Absolutely! Just type the container name (or Docker Compose service name) as the host — for example 'mysql-container' with port 3306 — and LunoDB asks Docker which port the container publishes on your machine and connects there for you. You can enter either the internal or the published port, and the lookup runs every time you connect, so a container that comes back on a new port still connects. If a container is stopped or its port isn't published, LunoDB tells you exactly what to fix instead of a confusing 'host not found'. Works with Docker Desktop, OrbStack, Colima, and Rancher Desktop. Prefer the classic way? Connecting to localhost with the mapped port still works too.

LunoDB provides full MongoDB support with enhanced query handling, argument parsing, and data export functionality. You can work with MongoDB collections and documents, execute queries, and export data just like with traditional SQL databases. The interface adapts to show document structure and supports MongoDB-specific operations.

The free version lets you save up to 2 database connections. The Pro version offers unlimited connections, allowing you to manage multiple projects, environments (dev/staging/prod), and database types all within one interface.

Simply type what you want in plain English like 'show me all users who registered last month' and Write with AI generates the SQL. It sees the real columns of the tables you pick, so the queries it writes use them. Every version is kept as you refine a query, so you can go back to an earlier one. When a query fails, Fix with AI opens Write with AI with the query and its error. Works with all supported database types including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and MongoDB.

With Pro, when a question can be answered from your data, the assistant runs its query for you and shows a one-line answer, the SQL, and a chart, number or table. It only ever runs a single SELECT, inside a read-only transaction, stopped after 10 seconds and capped at 1,000 rows. Queries that change data are shown for review with a count of the rows they'd change, and are never run for you. Connections tagged Production ask first, and nothing runs while a connection is down or reconnecting. Turn automatic answers off, or on for production connections too, in Settings → AI → Features.

Yes! LunoDB desktop supports voice dictation powered by OpenAI's Whisper API. Simply click the microphone button in any AI prompt box — Write with AI, Filter with AI, Suggest graphs, or the AI Assistant — and speak your request. It's perfect for hands-free database work or requests that are faster to speak than type - speak in plain English and let the AI convert it to SQL. (Note: Voice dictation is available on desktop only, not on mobile.)

The Data view has one bar for filtering (⌘F / Ctrl+F to jump to it). Type a condition such as 'plan = pro', 'total >= 100' or 'deleted_at is null' and press Return, or describe what you want in plain words, like 'orders over $100 from premium customers', and let AI build the filter. Filters show as chips you can click to edit or remove, matching all or any of them, and the SQL behind them sits in a slim bar above the grid, ready to copy.

The AI Assistant opens beside your work. Start from a suggested question about your table, or type your own. When a question can be answered from your data, it shows the answer, the SQL, and the best view of it (a bar or line chart, a single number, or a table), and you can Save to Graphs, Open in SQL, or Apply as filter. Choose which tables it knows about from chips under the conversation, see exactly what it's told under Schema, and pick the model and effort level from the bar under the message box. Search past conversations grouped by Today, This week and Older, and rename, copy or delete them.

LunoDB supports 9 AI providers: OpenAI (GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, Sol & Luna, GPT-5.4 Mini), Anthropic Claude (Claude Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, Haiku 5.5), Google Gemini (Gemini 3.8, 3.7 & 3.6 Flash, Gemini 3.5 Flash Lite), xAI Grok (Grok 4.7, 4.6 & 4.5), DeepSeek (chat, coder, reasoner), OpenRouter (access hundreds of models), Ollama for local models, Apple Intelligence for on-device AI on Apple silicon Macs (no API key), and Custom endpoints for any OpenAI-compatible API. Configure thinking depth and effort levels for supported models to balance speed vs. reasoning quality.

Yes, you'll need an API key from your chosen AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, DeepSeek, OpenRouter, or any OpenAI-compatible service). Add it in LunoDB's Settings. Your API key is encrypted on your computer, stays in LunoDB's background process, and is only ever sent to that provider. No key is needed for Ollama, which runs models on your own machine, or for Apple Intelligence on Apple silicon Macs (macOS 26 or later), which runs on-device.

Yes. Write with AI, Filter with AI, the AI Assistant, Data Insights and Optimize work in the free version. Automatic answers from your data and AI graph suggestions are part of Pro. You provide your own API key from a supported provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, DeepSeek, OpenRouter, or a custom OpenAI-compatible service), or use Ollama or Apple Intelligence with no key. There are no additional LunoDB fees for using AI features - you only pay for your AI provider's API usage.

The AI features are highly accurate because they understand your actual database schema and table relationships. However, as with any AI tool, it's important to review generated queries before executing them, especially for operations that modify data (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE). LunoDB shows you the generated SQL so you can verify it before running.

Yes! Ollama support lets you run AI models locally on your machine. With a local model and web search turned off, your questions and data never leave your device, which is perfect for sensitive environments or when you want full privacy. Ollama cloud models and web search do go online. Ollama models support extended thinking for deeper reasoning, optional web search for up-to-date context, and your model list syncs across all AI features and persists between sessions. Simply install Ollama, download your preferred model, and configure LunoDB to use your local Ollama endpoint.

For writing SQL and filters, LunoDB sends your database schema (table names, column names, data types) and your question to the AI provider — not your rows. Some features do send data: when the chat assistant answers by running a read-only query, the rows it returns are sent so it can describe them; AI Data Insights sends the rows on screen and column statistics; and graph suggestions send a few sample rows. Everything goes straight from your computer to the provider you chose, never through LunoDB. For maximum privacy, use Apple Intelligence or a local Ollama model with web search off, and your questions and data stay on your machine. See our Privacy Policy for exactly what each feature sends.

Yes! Export the filtered rows, the current page, the selected rows, or the whole table. Pick the columns, delimiter and how NULLs are written, with a preview, a size estimate and a progress bar. Big export? Press Keep working and it carries on as a small card in the corner. Query results use the same export window, without running the query again. The free version supports CSV; Pro adds JSON and SQL INSERT, plus full database exports with gzip compression.

LunoDB automatically saves the queries you run. With Pro, History opens as a panel beside the SQL editor: search past queries, star the ones you reuse, and add notes. Clear history only clears the database you're on and keeps your starred queries.

Yes! Work with multiple tables and queries side by side in tabs. Tabs remember where you left off, show a dot when they have unsaved changes, and can be dragged into the order you want. Double-click a table tab to open its structure. Jump to… (⌘P on Mac, Ctrl+P on Windows/Linux) lists your tables first, then actions, so you can open any table in a couple of keystrokes.

Yes! Run all (⇧⌘↵ on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+Enter on Windows/Linux) runs your whole script on one database connection, so BEGIN … COMMIT, SET and temporary tables hold together. Each statement gets its own results tab, plus a Messages tab listing what every statement did. If a statement fails, Run all stops there, rolls back an open transaction, and tells you exactly what was and wasn't saved. If your script leaves a transaction open, LunoDB asks whether to Commit or Roll back, and Run all as one transaction saves either all of the script or none of it.

Open any value in the field editor. JSON opens formatted, with Format, Minify and a Tree view. A NULL switch saves a real NULL instead of empty text, it counts characters against a column's length limit, warns before you edit a password hash, and opens multi-megabyte values instantly. Press ⌘↵ / Ctrl+Enter to save, or Esc to cancel.

Yes! Double-click a cell to edit it, and edited cells stay highlighted until you save. An amber bar appears while you have unsaved changes, with Undo, Review, Discard and Save in one place. Review shows the exact SQL Save will run, with each change's old and new values. Saving is all or nothing: your changes run in one transaction, so if one fails none are saved and your edits stay for you to fix. On production connections, saving asks first. You can also edit query results, even from a join, on MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL and SQLite.

LunoDB offers comprehensive visualization including detailed table structure views, interactive relationship diagrams showing foreign keys, and powerful data charting. Create graphs and charts from your query results with AI suggestions for the best chart type, or build custom visualizations using your own SQL queries. Choose from 5 chart types (line, bar, area, pie, scatter), customize colors, combine multiple queries in one chart, and export diagrams as high-quality images for documentation.

Yes! LunoDB lets you create new databases right from the connection dialog without external tools. Simply click to create a database, fetch existing databases with one click, and switch between them seamlessly. For tables, add columns quickly with the Add Column form, inline column editing in the structure view, visual table designer with proper data types, and manage constraints and indexes - all without writing SQL manually.

Absolutely! A short first-run guide helps you pick a database, connect, and try Pro. The tour (Help → Tutorial) is seven short steps with screenshots of the real app, a clickable progress bar, arrow-key navigation, and Try buttons that open a new connection, the command palette or AI chat.

Yes! Other open connections sit in the sidebar under Also connected, one click away, with their PROD, STAGING or LOCAL tag, and the connection pill in the top bar lists every open connection and how it's doing. When LunoDB opens, it reconnects last session's connections side by side; a connection that can't be reached no longer holds up the others. You can also open independent workspace windows, and each one remembers its own tabs, table lists, AI panel width and Query log. Settings like themes and sounds sync instantly across all open windows.

A banner under the top bar says what's happening without blocking anything: reconnecting, a countdown to the next try (with Retry now), or why it couldn't reconnect, with a tip and Edit connection. LunoDB tries five times, waiting a little longer between each, and pauses while you're offline, picking up again when the network is back. While the connection is down, its rows stay on screen marked Cached · read-only, unsaved edits are kept and can be saved once it reconnects, and the table refreshes itself when it does.

Yes! LunoDB features cross-window synchronization for settings. When you change your theme, sound settings, or other preferences in one window, those changes apply instantly to all other open windows. This means you can work across multiple workspaces without having to manually update each one. Global settings like licenses are also shared across all windows.

Absolutely! LunoDB includes customizable sound settings with individual controls for different events. You can enable or disable sounds for notifications, query execution, connections, and more. The expandable Settings panel gives you access to all sound options, including a new snackbar notification sound. Sound settings also sync across all open windows, so your preferences stay consistent everywhere.

Absolutely! LunoDB lets you cancel long-running queries with one click without disconnecting from your database. The SQL editor's LIMIT switch keeps result sets small, and the status bar shows when LunoDB added a LIMIT for you. Sorting tables over 1,000,000 rows shows a warning that explains why the sort will be slow and how an index fixes it (change the threshold in Settings → Database).

Yes! Back up your connections, graphs, query history and settings in Settings → Backup. When restoring, preview the backup first and pick exactly which connections, graphs, query history and settings to bring back. When a name is already taken, choose to skip, replace or keep both, and restoring never removes connections you already have. You can also restore encrypted connection backups made with LunoDB Mobile, and export whole databases to compressed .sql.gz files with progress tracking.

LunoDB offers powerful import capabilities including streaming imports for huge SQL files without running out of memory, direct import of compressed .sql.gz files with automatic decompression, drag-and-drop file uploads, detailed progress tracking with time estimates, and the ability to minimize the import dialog to keep working. Imports handle special characters, quotes, and escape sequences correctly across all database types. You can also cancel imports mid-process if needed.

Yes! The Pro version includes copy & paste functionality with keyboard shortcuts (⌘C/Ctrl+C to copy, ⌘V/Ctrl+V to paste). You can duplicate rows, edit fields before inserting, and generate INSERT statements automatically. Copied data handles complex types like JSON, arrays, and special characters correctly.

No. The desktop app connects directly from your computer to your databases, so your data, queries and database contents never pass through our servers. (On mobile, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQL Server and MongoDB connections go through LunoDB Cloud, which never logs or stores your queries or results.)

The desktop app sends anonymous usage events, error reports and crash reports to help us improve LunoDB. They're on by default and you can turn them off in Settings → General. Pro and trial users also send basic license checks. Your queries, database contents and credentials are never collected. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes! Many developers use LunoDB for production database management. Connections tagged Production ask before saving edits or changing a table's structure, Review shows the exact SQL before anything is saved, saves run in one transaction so nothing is half-applied, and the AI assistant asks before running anything on a production connection. Passwords are encrypted with your system keychain.

Yes, LunoDB works within corporate networks. The Pro version's SSH tunneling feature is particularly useful for connecting through bastion hosts or when databases are behind firewalls.

Pro includes unlimited database connections, the full SQL editor, Graphs with AI chart suggestions, AI answers from your data, SSH tunneling, required and verified SSL/TLS, JSON and SQL export (CSV is free), query history with search and favorites, copy & paste rows, editor themes, priority email support, and 1 year of updates. Write with AI, Filter with AI, Data Insights and Optimize work in both Free and Pro with your own API key.

The Pro license ($10) is for a single device. If you need to use LunoDB on multiple devices, the Pro Bundle ($20) allows you to use it on up to 3 devices - perfect for your work laptop, personal computer, and development machine.

Yes, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with LunoDB Pro, contact us within 30 days of purchase for a full refund, no questions asked.

We occasionally offer student discounts - contact us with your .edu email address. For teams of 10+ users, we're happy to discuss volume pricing. Reach out to us for custom arrangements.

After purchase, you'll receive a license key via email. Simply enter it in LunoDB to unlock all Pro features instantly. Your license includes 1 year of updates at no additional cost, and Pro keeps working after that year ends.

LunoDB Pro keeps working with every feature, forever. You just stop getting new versions. Renew anytime for another year of updates: $10 for Pro or $20 for the Pro Bundle, on the same license key. Monthly subscribers get every update for as long as they stay subscribed. If you cancel, you keep every feature, and updates for a year from your first payment. A version released after your updates end runs as the free version until you renew, and the app points you to the last version your license covers.

Absolutely! You can upgrade to Pro at any time. Your existing connections, queries, and settings will be preserved, and you'll immediately gain access to all Pro features.

Connection timeouts usually indicate network issues. Check if the database host and port are correct. Verify your internet connection. For cloud databases, ensure your IP address is allowed. If using a VPN, try disconnecting. For databases behind firewalls, you may need SSH tunneling (Pro feature).

Slow queries can have several causes: large result sets (try adding LIMIT), missing indexes, or complex joins. Use LunoDB's query execution time display to identify bottlenecks. Consider adding appropriate indexes to your tables, or break complex queries into smaller parts.

If a window runs into a problem, LunoDB says what happened in plain words and offers Reload LunoDB (⌘R / Ctrl+R) or Reload without tabs, which skips reopening your tabs and reconnecting in case one of them is the cause. The crash report is sent automatically, and the screen shows its reference to quote to support; you can add a note about what you were doing. If problems continue, check you're running the latest version and contact support with that reference.

Check if you're connected to the correct database/schema. Some tables might be in different schemas or databases. Verify your user has permission to see all tables. Try refreshing the connection or reconnecting to reload the table list.

You can reset LunoDB by closing the application and deleting the configuration files in your user directory. On macOS, look in ~/Library/Application Support/LunoDB/. This will remove all saved connections and preferences, so backup any important connection details first.

Ensure you have write permissions to the export location. Try exporting to your Desktop or Documents folder first. For large exports, make sure you have enough disk space. If exporting query results, ensure the query completed successfully first.

Choose Help → Export Logs to package your application logs as a convenient zip file. This is perfect for troubleshooting issues with the support team. You'll receive a clear notification when the export completes, and you can then share the zip file with support to help diagnose any problems you're experiencing.

Yes, completely free! LunoDB Mobile has no subscription fees, no in-app purchases, and no premium tiers. You get full access to all features at no cost.

LunoDB Mobile requires iOS 16.4 or later (home screen widgets need iOS 17) and runs on both iPhone and iPad, with interfaces optimized for each screen size. Android support is coming soon.

LunoDB Mobile supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQL Server (and Azure SQL), MongoDB, SQLite, and Turso. You can connect to cloud databases, local SQLite files, Turso edge databases, and development servers.

LunoDB Cloud is our secure connection gateway that routes your mobile database connections safely. Your connections are saved on your phone. When you connect, the app sends the details to LunoDB Cloud over HTTPS, where they're held encrypted for a 30-minute session and then discarded. Query results are never stored.

Yes! LunoDB Mobile includes full AI support. Write SQL in plain English, use AI-powered filtering, and get help from the chat assistant - all with your own API keys from OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, or Grok, or on-device with Apple Intelligence.

Use QR code sync! In the desktop app, export your connections as a QR code. Then scan it with LunoDB Mobile to import all your connections instantly - no manual entry required.

LunoDB Mobile includes most desktop features but has some differences: it uses LunoDB Cloud for connections instead of direct SSH tunneling, and has limits on large file imports to protect device memory. All core features like AI SQL generation, data editing, charts, and ER diagrams are fully supported.

Your database credentials are stored only on your device, in the app's private storage. When you connect to MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SQL Server or MongoDB, LunoDB Cloud holds your connection details, encrypted, for a 30-minute session and never logs or stores your queries or results. You can enable Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint authentication to lock the app, and keep your phone protected with a passcode.

Check out our detailed Mobile Documentation for comprehensive documentation, or browse the Mobile FAQ for more specific questions.