Operator surface
Pick the task. Get the right CLI.
Use task lanes to choose a tool, verify it safely, and understand the first agent-safe loop before you commit to it.
Task lane
Pick a lane, write the task in plain language, then work from the recommended CLI and its first safe loop.
Recommended CLI
Data & DBpgcli is a strong fit for data & db. pgcli responds locally before you point it at a database.
Best for
postgres shell, autocomplete, and readable results from the terminal.
First move
$ pgcli --versionTrust signal
798 Homebrew installs (30d)
Safe first loop
Why this pick
Supporting tools
6 support tools
usql
universal sql shell, multiple databases, and db scripts from the terminal.
You need databases in both local dev and CI.
Universal SQL shell, multiple databases, and db scripts from the terminal.
usql
sqlite-utils
sqlite automation, csv/json imports, and data transforms from the terminal.
You want databases you can script with structured output.
SQLite automation, csv/json imports, and data transforms from the terminal.
sqlite-utils
duckdb
local analytics, sql, and csv/parquet queries from the terminal.
You want data processing that runs entirely on your machine.
Local analytics, sql, and csv/parquet queries from the terminal.
DuckDB CLI
jq
json processing, apis, and agent output parsing from the terminal.
You want data processing you can script with structured output.
JSON processing, apis, and agent output parsing from the terminal.
jq
yq
yaml processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
YAML processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
yq
http
api testing, readable http, and debugging endpoints from the terminal.
You want data processing you can script with structured output.
API testing, readable http, and debugging endpoints from the terminal.
HTTPie
Repository families
dbcli
small-team / 3 matched
BurntSushi
individual / 1 matched
Simon Willison
individual / 1 matched
amacneil
individual / 1 matched
Drizzle Team
small-team / 1 matched
ducaale
individual / 1 matched
Lane catalog
7 CLIs in Data
duckdb
local analytics, sql, and csv/parquet queries from the terminal.
You want data processing that runs entirely on your machine.
Local analytics, sql, and csv/parquet queries from the terminal.
DuckDB CLI
jq
json processing, apis, and agent output parsing from the terminal.
You want data processing you can script with structured output.
JSON processing, apis, and agent output parsing from the terminal.
jq
yq
yaml processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
YAML processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
yq
http
api testing, readable http, and debugging endpoints from the terminal.
You want data processing you can script with structured output.
API testing, readable http, and debugging endpoints from the terminal.
HTTPie
xsv
csv indexing, stats, and fast tabular data from the terminal.
You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
CSV indexing, stats, and fast tabular data from the terminal.
xsv
xh
http requests, curl alternative, and api testing from the terminal.
You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
HTTP requests, curl alternative, and api testing from the terminal.
xh
doggo
dns lookups, networking, and debugging records from the terminal.
You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
DNS lookups, networking, and debugging records from the terminal.
doggo