[!NOTE]
If you need an enterprise-level database MCP server with built-in guardrails like approval flow, access control, data masking, and audit logging beyond what DBHub offers, check out Bytebase.
+------------------+ +--------------+ +------------------+
| | | | | |
| Claude Desktop +--->+ +--->+ PostgreSQL |
| | | | | |
| Claude Code +--->+ +--->+ SQL Server |
| | | | | |
| Cursor +--->+ DBHub +--->+ Oracle |
| | | | | |
| VS Code +--->+ +--->+ SQLite |
| | | | | |
| Copilot CLI +--->+ +--->+ MySQL |
| | | | | |
| | | +--->+ MariaDB |
| | | | | |
+------------------+ +--------------+ +------------------+
MCP Clients MCP Server Databases
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:
- Minimal: Zero dependency, token efficient with a minimal set of MCP tools to maximize context window
- Multi-Database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, Oracle, 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
DBHub is the official example in the Claude Code docs 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.
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, Oracle, and SQLite.
MCP Tools
DBHub implements MCP tools for database operations:
- execute_sql: Execute SQL queries with transaction support and safety controls
- search_objects: Search and explore database schemas, tables, columns, indexes, and procedures with progressive disclosure
- explain_sql (opt-in): Show a query's execution plan without running it
- health_check (opt-in): Report connection pool state and buffer cache hit ratio
- Custom Tools: Define reusable, parameterized SQL operations in your
dbhub.tomlconfiguration file
Workbench
DBHub includes a built-in web interface for interacting with your database tools. It provides a visual way to execute queries, run custom tools, and view request traces without requiring an MCP client.
Installation
npx @bytebase/dbhub@latest --transport http --port 8080 --dsn "postgres://user:password@localhost:5432/dbname?sslmode=disable"
Also available as:
- Docker image
- MCP Bundle (one-click install, read-only)
- Claude Code plugin
See the Installation Guide for all options, Command-Line Options for parameters, and Multi-Database Configuration for connecting several databases at once.
Development
Requires Node.js >= 22.5.0 (DBHub uses the built-in node:sqlite module).
# Install dependencies
pnpm install
# Run in development mode
pnpm dev
# Build and run for production
pnpm build && pnpm start --transport stdio --dsn "postgres://user:password@localhost:5432/dbname"