mycli — MySQL CLI with Auto-Completion and Syntax Highlighting

Introduction

mysql CLI works, but its readline bindings feel primitive next to a modern IDE console. mycli closes the gap: aware of table and column names, colored SQL, parameter placeholders, and friendly result formatting. Connects to MySQL, MariaDB, Percona, TiDB, CockroachDB (via MySQL protocol), PlanetScale.

What mycli Does

• Interactive REPL for MySQL-compatible databases.
• Context-aware completion from live schema.
• Syntax-highlighted input.
• Pretty tables with G vertical toggle.
• Named queries, favorites, connection profiles.

Architecture Overview

mycli uses PyMySQL for connectivity and prompt-toolkit for the REPL. Schema introspection populates completion tries. Syntax highlighting via Pygments. Output formatting via cli-helpers. Configuration mirrors pgcli's ~/.myclirc.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install via pip, brew, apt, dnf.
• ~/.myclirc stores defaults: pager, vertical threshold, warn-on-destructive.
• SSH tunnel: --ssh-host bastion --ssh-user op.
• Auto-vertical when row width > terminal.
• destructive_warning = true asks before DELETE/UPDATE without WHERE.

Key Features

• Smart completion with JOIN help.
• Pager integration.
• Multiline editor (vi/emacs keybindings).
• Connection multiplexer — switch DBs with .
• Safer than stock client with destructive-warning flag.

Comparison with Similar Tools

• mysql — stock client; universal, basic.
• pgcli — same pattern for PostgreSQL.
• mysqlsh — official Python/JS shell; heavier.
• dbeaver — GUI.
• usql — multi-DB CLI.

FAQ

Q: Works with TiDB/MariaDB? A: Yes — MySQL protocol-compatible.

Q: Safer deletes? A: destructive_warning = true prompts when WHERE is missing.

Q: Export CSV? A: T csv then run query.

Q: Password auth? A: Set MYSQL_PWD or use --login-path for mysql_config_editor files.

Sources

• https://github.com/dbcli/mycli
• https://www.mycli.net