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Alex Spinov
Alex Spinov

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Outerbase Has a Free API: Visual Database Interface with AI-Powered SQL Generation

#tutorial #webdev #database #ai

What is Outerbase?

Outerbase is a visual database interface — like phpMyAdmin meets Notion, with AI. Connect any database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, ClickHouse), browse data visually, and generate SQL with natural language.

Free tier: unlimited connections, unlimited queries.

Connect Your Database 

# Outerbase connects to any database via connection string
# PostgreSQL: postgres://user:pass@host:5432/db
# MySQL: mysql://user:pass@host:3306/db
# SQLite: file:./database.sqlite
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The REST API (EZQL)

Outerbase provides EZQL — an API that turns natural language into SQL:

export OB_URL="https://app.outerbase.com/api/v1"
export OB_TOKEN="your-api-key"
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Natural Language Queries 

# Ask in plain English
curl -X POST "$OB_URL/ezql" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "Show me the top 10 customers by total order value this month",
    "connection_id": "CONNECTION_ID"
  }'
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Outerbase generates the SQL, runs it, and returns results — all from a plain English prompt.

Run SQL Directly 

curl -X POST "$OB_URL/sql" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "query": "SELECT u.name, COUNT(o.id) as order_count, SUM(o.total) as revenue FROM users u JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id GROUP BY u.name ORDER BY revenue DESC LIMIT 10",
    "connection_id": "CONNECTION_ID"
  }'
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Commands API 

# Create saved command
curl -X POST "$OB_URL/commands" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Monthly Revenue",
    "query": "SELECT DATE_TRUNC(month, created_at) as month, SUM(amount) as revenue FROM payments GROUP BY month ORDER BY month DESC",
    "connection_id": "CONNECTION_ID"
  }'

# Run saved command
curl -X POST "$OB_URL/commands/COMMAND_ID/run" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN"
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Connections 

# Create connection
curl -X POST "$OB_URL/connections" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Production DB",
    "type": "postgresql",
    "host": "db.example.com",
    "port": 5432,
    "database": "myapp",
    "user": "readonly",
    "password": "secret"
  }'

# List connections
curl -s "$OB_URL/connections" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OB_TOKEN" | jq '.[].name'
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Dashboards

Create visual dashboards from SQL queries:

  • Charts (line, bar, pie)
  • Tables with filtering and sorting
  • KPI cards
  • Embeddable in your app via iframe

Key Features

  • AI SQL: Natural language → SQL query
  • Visual editor: Spreadsheet-like data editing
  • Saved commands: Reusable queries with parameters
  • Plugins: Extend with custom JavaScript
  • Dashboards: Visual reporting
  • Team sharing: Collaborate on queries

Outerbase vs Alternatives

Feature Outerbase phpMyAdmin TablePlus Metabase
AI queries Yes No No No
Web-based Yes Yes No (desktop) Yes
Visual editing Yes Yes Yes No
Dashboards Yes No No Yes
Free Yes Yes Free (limited) Yes
Multi-DB Yes MySQL only Yes Yes

Need database tools or data visualization?

📧 spinov001@gmail.com
🔧 My tools on Apify Store

What database GUI do you use? Share below!

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