> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dbhub.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

<img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/dbhub/n5kmb6SdWxcYttEU/images/logo/full-light.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=n5kmb6SdWxcYttEU&q=85&s=024b91b786fbf5681e40ec9ca300d4fa" width="1310" height="367" data-path="images/logo/full-light.svg" />

<img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/dbhub/n5kmb6SdWxcYttEU/images/logo/full-dark.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=n5kmb6SdWxcYttEU&q=85&s=c52b0d31b0c7d0afc87e2c02cb95dd30" width="1310" height="367" data-path="images/logo/full-dark.svg" />

DBHub is a minimal MCP server: token-efficient, zero-dependency, and just two tools by default with opt-in extras. This lightweight gateway allows MCP-compatible clients to connect to and explore different databases.

```
 +------------------+    +--------------+    +------------------+
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |  Claude Desktop  +--->+              +--->+    PostgreSQL    |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |  Claude Code     +--->+              +--->+    SQL Server    |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |  Cursor          +--->+    DBHub     +--->+    SQLite        |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |  VS Code         +--->+              +--->+    MySQL         |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |  Other Clients   +--->+              +--->+    MariaDB       |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 |                  |    |              |    |                  |
 +------------------+    +--------------+    +------------------+
     MCP Clients           MCP Server             Databases
```

> DBHub is the official example in the [Claude Code docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp#example-query-your-postgresql-database) for connecting to PostgreSQL via MCP.

## Token Efficiency

DBHub loads just 2 tools by default at **1.4k tokens** — 13-14x fewer than alternatives — keeping the context window open for your actual work.

| MCP Server   | Default Config | Default Tools                       |
| ------------ | -------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **DBHub**    | **1.4k**       | 2 (`execute_sql`, `search_objects`) |
| MCP Toolbox  | 19.0k          | 28                                  |
| Supabase MCP | 19.3k          | all                                 |

## Use Cases

* **Local Development**: Schema exploration, query validation, and data debugging with Claude Code, VS Code, Cursor, etc.
* **Non-Technical Access**: Expose curated, read-only views to non-technical staff via Claude Desktop, VS Code, Cursor, etc.
* **Multi-Database Consolidation**: Replace separate MCP servers for each database with a single DBHub process
* **Production Troubleshooting**: Read-only diagnostics with guardrails against runaway queries

## Supported Databases

PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, and SQLite.

## Why DBHub?

DBHub brings powerful database capabilities to AI coding assistants:

* **Minimal**: Zero dependency, token efficient with a minimal set of MCP tools to maximize context window
* **Multi-Database**: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, and SQLite through a single interface
* **Multi-Connection**: Connect to multiple databases simultaneously with TOML configuration
* **Guardrails**: Read-only mode, row limiting, and query timeout to prevent runaway operations
* **Secure Access**: SSH tunneling and SSL/TLS encryption

## Key Features

### MCP Tools

DBHub provides AI assistants with direct database access through these tools:

* **[execute\_sql](/tools/execute-sql)**: Run queries with transaction support and safety controls
* **[search\_objects](/tools/search-objects)**: Explore schemas, tables, columns, indexes, and procedures
* **[explain\_sql](/tools/explain-sql)** (opt-in): Show a query's execution plan without running it
* **[health\_check](/tools/health-check)** (opt-in): Report connection pool state and buffer cache hit ratio
* **[Custom Tools](/tools/custom-tools)**: Define reusable, parameterized SQL operations

### Workbench

A [web-based interface](/workbench/overview) for running database tools and viewing request traces without requiring an MCP client.

## Architecture

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TB
    %% Human User
    User["Human User"]

    %% Workbench
    WB["DBHub Workbench"]

    %% AI Agent with MCP Client
    subgraph Agent["AI Agent"]
        MC["MCP Client"]
    end

    %% Configuration
    Config["dbhub.toml"]

    %% DBHub Server
    subgraph DBHub["DBHub Server"]
        MCP["/mcp endpoint"]
        subgraph Tools["MCP Tools"]
            ES["execute_sql"]
            SO["search_objects"]
            EX["explain_sql (opt-in)"]
            HC["health_check (opt-in)"]
            CT["custom tools"]
        end
    end

    %% Databases
    Databases["PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, SQLite"]

    %% Connections
    User --> WB
    WB --> DBHub

    Agent --> MC
    MC --> MCP
    MCP --> Tools

    Config -.->|loads| DBHub
    Tools --> Databases
```

DBHub acts as a gateway between databases and AI agents. AI agents access databases through the `/mcp` endpoint using MCP tools, while the Workbench provides direct browser-based access for humans.

## Getting Started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Install DBHub using Docker, NPM, the MCP Bundle, or the Claude Code plugin
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Get DBHub running with your first database connection
  </Card>
</CardGroup>