dbeaver
Manage and query databases
TLDR
Open DBeaver
Open DBeaver connecting to a specific database
Force the creation of a new instance
Stop the running instance
Close all tabs within DBeaver
Bring DBeaver to the top of applications
Display help
SYNOPSIS
dbeaver [options] [connection_id]
PARAMETERS
-con
Open specific database connection by ID
-goal
Open specific UI perspective (e.g., sql-editor, data-editor)
-con-param==
Override connection parameter (e.g., password)
-D
Set JVM system property (e.g., -Duser.timezone=UTC)
-nl
Set UI locale (e.g., en_US, ru_RU)
-data
Specify user workspace/data directory
-vmargs
Pass JVM arguments (e.g., -Xmx2g)
--help
Display command-line help
--version
Print version information
DESCRIPTION
DBeaver is a free, open-source, multi-platform universal database tool designed for database developers, analysts, and administrators. It provides a SQL editor, data editor, schema browser, and ER diagrams for efficient database management.
The dbeaver command launches the graphical user interface (GUI) of DBeaver Community Edition (CE) on Linux. It supports numerous databases via JDBC drivers, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, SQLite, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, and more than 100 others. Users can connect to databases, execute queries with syntax highlighting and auto-completion, browse metadata, export/import data, generate reports, and automate tasks via scripting.
Key strengths include its extensibility through plugins, multi-tab support, data virtualization, and cross-platform compatibility. The tool emphasizes productivity with features like mock data generation, query profiling, and SSH tunneling. Ideal for heterogeneous environments, it avoids vendor-specific tools.
Community-driven under Apache 2.0 license, DBeaver CE is lightweight yet powerful, running on Java VM.
CAVEATS
Requires Java 11+ (OpenJDK recommended). GUI launch only; no headless mode. Workspace data stored in ~/.local/share/DBeaver by default. Large JVM heap may be needed for big databases.
INSTALLATION
Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install dbeaver-ce. Fedora: sudo dnf install dbeaver. Snap: snap install dbeaver-ce. AppImage available from official site.
DRIVERS
Bundled JDBC drivers for most DBs; download extras via Help > Driver Manager in GUI.
HISTORY
Developed by Sergey Nikonenko starting in 2010 as an Eclipse plugin. Became standalone in 2011. DBeaver CE released under Apache 2.0; now at version 24.x with millions of users. Enterprise Edition adds commercial support.
