Rowfish

A PostgreSQL-first desktop query client, with MongoDB support available.

Rowfish brings persistent SQL tabs, a searchable server explorer, schema-aware autocomplete and a virtualized results grid into one compact workspace. It is built with prerelease Electron 46, React and TypeScript; existing MongoDB workflows remain available.

Install

Homebrew (macOS, Apple Silicon):

brew tap pylotlight/rowfish https://github.com/PylotLight/Rowfish.git
brew install --cask rowfish
xattr -cr /Applications/Rowfish.app

Builds are unsigned for now, so macOS may say Rowfish is "damaged". That's the quarantine flag on an unsigned app, not a bad build; the xattr line clears it (Homebrew v6 dropped --no-quarantine). Or grab the arm64 DMG/ZIP from Releases.

See Rowfish

These previews show Rowfish with synthetic local order data, not production databases or customer records. The PostgreSQL workbench is exercised against a disposable PostgreSQL fixture by the desktop smoke test.

What it does

• Open Settings from the always-visible gear at the bottom of the workspace (or ⌘/, Ctrl/,). Choose Glass, AMOLED black, Deep, Forest, Plum or Paper themes, preset/custom accents, interface font, density, blur and motion. Configure editor font/size, line numbers and wrapping with a live preview. Preferences save locally without closing connections or discarding query drafts. The adjacent power icon quits Rowfish.
• Inspect PostgreSQL estimated execution plans in an expandable Plan tab, review raw JSON, and export the plan. Explain uses one selected statement or a single-statement draft, never adds ANALYZE, and rejects scripts and unsupported commands.
• Open ready-to-review PostgreSQL diagnostic drafts for active sessions, table/index sizes, index usage, and blocking locks. Diagnostics never run automatically.
• Save PostgreSQL or MongoDB connection profiles between sessions; passwords and MongoDB URI secrets are encrypted with the operating system credential store.
• Quickly connect by pasting a postgres:///postgresql:// or mongodb:///mongodb+srv:// URI: the database type is detected from the scheme, no dropdown needed. Or switch to Manual to pick the type and fill in the fields; values carry across both ways.
• Test & Save checks the server before saving a profile (with Save anyway if the test fails), or Save without testing to store a profile for a server that is not reachable yet.
• Browse accessible PostgreSQL databases on a server, inspect schemas and tables in the sidebar, and load a table query with one click.
• Browse accessible MongoDB databases and collections, inspect collection estimates, validators and indexes, and open a collection with one click.
• Keep SQL drafts in persistent in-app tabs; organize named queries in folders and search execution history. External SQL files are optional exports.
• Restore a draft or saved query while offline, then press Run query (or the run shortcut) to choose a compatible live/saved connection or add a new one. Server profiles let you choose the target database. Reconnecting keeps the same draft and never executes it automatically; review the database and press Run again.
• Run the current PostgreSQL statement, selected SQL or a multi-statement script. Use autocomplete, formatting, and columns/indexes/constraints inspection. Scripts stop at the first error and display the final result.
• Existing MongoDB tools support find, read-only aggregation, document updates, collection/index operations and confirmed destructive actions.
• Stream results into a virtualized grid; filter and sort received rows, inspect individual rows, export filtered CSV/JSON and cancel running queries.
• Switch results between List, JSON and Table views, Compass style. List shows each document as a card with a collapsible, type-coloured tree (ObjectId('…'), strings, numbers, Object (3) / Array (4)), per-document expand all, copy as EJSON or plain JSON, and for MongoDB find results edit, clone and delete shortcuts. A single MongoDB document opens as a list until you pick a view; your pick is remembered.
• Resize table columns by dragging header edges (double-click fits, double-click again resets); widths are remembered per MongoDB collection or per query tab. MongoDB headers show the field type and nested values read {} 3 fields / [] 4 items.
• Give queries and results the whole window: the Explorer opens as a dismissible popover, not a docked column. Drag its edge, the editor/results divider, or the row-details edge to resize; keyboard-focus a divider and use arrow keys, Home or End. Pane sizes and the collapsed sidebar state are remembered locally. Dialogs also have resize handles.
• Keep query work off the UI thread. Results are bounded to 10,000 rows and 16 MB; queries time out after 120 seconds. Rowfish supports up to eight active connections.

MongoDB aggregation is read-only: $out, $merge and server-side JavaScript operators are blocked. Updates and deletes require non-empty filters; destructive collection/database drops require typing the exact target name. PostgreSQL executes submitted SQL, including writes; it is not automatically read-only or rolled back. Drafts, saved SQL and history are local data and are not encrypted. Avoid sensitive literals.

Run locally

Requirements: Bun 1.x.

bun install
bun run dev

To try the included fictional demo dataset, use a local PostgreSQL or MongoDB instance and follow Getting started. The seed files are PostgreSQL SQL and MongoDB mongosh JavaScript.

Check and package

bun run test
bun run typecheck
bun run build
bun run start

With the disposable rowfish_fixture PostgreSQL database seeded using scripts/smoke-fixture.sql, bun run test:smoke exercises the existing workbench plus theme persistence, estimated plans, diagnostic drafts, and minimum-window layout in Electron. Linux CI runs both suites; native macOS vibrancy still needs a Mac check.

For macOS test builds, run bun run dist:mac. See Mac testing and Releasing before packaging or publishing.

Project documentation

• Getting started
• Database client
• UI comparison and implemented improvements
• Architecture
• Mac testing
• Releasing
• Troubleshooting

MIT licensed. See LICENSE.

Development

Use Bun 1.4.4 or newer for development and install dependencies with bun install --frozen-lockfile. Run bun run format to format files and bun run format:check to verify formatting. Run bun lint to check JavaScript and TypeScript; this built-in command requires Bun canary, which CI installs for the lint job. Run bun run typecheck, bun run test and bun run build for validation.