Lightweight server pointing at a single SQLite file. Read-only by default unless you flip a flag. Perfect for ad-hoc analysis of app databases (Apple Photos, Things, browser history) or for prototype data that doesn't need a real DB.

Query and modify SQLite databases on disk.

Use Case

Analyzing your iMessage chat.db for word frequencies,Querying browser history.db for time-tracking insights,Local prototyping where Postgres is overkill,Reading a SQLite file an app exported as a backup

When Not to Use

Multi-user databases — SQLite locks aggressively under concurrent writes,When the data is in Postgres or MySQL — use those servers directly,Very large databases (10GB+) — query times balloon

Common Pitfalls

  • macOS protected paths (Messages, Mail) require Full Disk Access for the terminal Claude Desktop launches with
  • Don't point at write-locked files an app is using — copy first
  • WAL files (.db-wal, .db-shm) need to be in the same dir; copy all three