Free SQL→ER diagram tool, runs in the browser, nothing uploaded
This new web-based tool swiftly converts SQL CREATE TABLE statements into interactive ER diagrams, all within your browser without uploading any data. Hacker News users are praising its privacy-first design, excellent mobile usability, and the clever technical implementation details shared by the developer. It addresses a common pain point with a polished, free, and open-source solution.
The Lowdown
SQL to ER Diagram is a remarkably user-friendly, free, and open-source web application designed to generate interactive entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs) directly from SQL CREATE TABLE statements. The standout feature is its commitment to privacy: all processing occurs locally in the browser, ensuring that sensitive database schemas are never uploaded to a server. This eliminates common hurdles like paywalls, mandatory sign-ups, and data security concerns often associated with similar tools.
- In-Browser Processing: Your SQL schema never leaves your machine, making it highly secure and private.
- Broad SQL Dialect Support: It parses standard DDL from PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and SQL Server.
- Interactive Diagrams: Users can drag tables, auto-arrange layouts, edit elements directly, and add notes or group boxes.
- Flexible Export Options: Diagrams can be exported as high-resolution PNGs or vector SVGs, and entire projects can be saved or shared via a URL that encodes the diagram.
- No Installation or Account: Works seamlessly in any modern web browser on desktop and mobile devices without requiring any software installation or user accounts.
By leveraging modern web technologies to deliver a robust and private solution, SQL to ER Diagram offers a compelling alternative to traditional ERD tools, catering especially to developers who prioritize data security and ease of use.
The Gossip
Rave Reviews and Robust Responsiveness
Many commenters lauded the tool for its exceptional user experience, particularly highlighting its '100/10' mobile usability and seamless interaction. The absence of sign-ups and the local-only processing were frequently praised as key differentiators, making the tool both convenient and trustworthy. Users appreciated the 'onboarding' experience, calling it clean and responsive.
Ingenious Implementation Insights
The developer, robhati, shared fascinating technical details behind the tool's creation, sparking interest from the community. Key aspects included building on `canvas` for smooth performance with many tables, a SQL parser that tracks source spans for surgical edits, and the innovative approach of encoding the entire schema directly into the URL for sharing. The discussion also touched upon experimentation with Rust/WASM, ultimately sticking with plain JavaScript for performance reasons.
Feature Feedback and Competitor Comparisons
Users provided constructive feedback and suggestions, such as the option for straight lines and 90-degree angles in the diagrams, which is a common preference. Others pointed to existing tools like Azimutt and sqlscope, suggesting potential integrations or alternative approaches for broader dialect support. The author was responsive, even quickly fixing a minor issue with a GitHub link.