---
title: "Introduction"
---
<img
className="block dark:hidden"
src="/images/logo/full-light.svg"
/>
<img
className="hidden dark:block"
src="/images/logo/full-dark.svg"
/>
DBHub is a zero-dependency, token efficient MCP server implementing the Model Context Protocol server interface. This lightweight gateway allows MCP-compatible clients to connect to and explore different databases.
```
+------------------+ +--------------+ +------------------+
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Claude Desktop +--->+ +--->+ PostgreSQL |
| | | | | |
| Claude Code +--->+ +--->+ SQL Server |
| | | | | |
| Cursor +--->+ DBHub +--->+ SQLite |
| | | | | |
| VS Code +--->+ +--->+ MySQL |
| | | | | |
| Other Clients +--->+ +--->+ MariaDB |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
+------------------+ +--------------+ +------------------+
MCP Clients MCP Server Databases
```
## Supported Databases
PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, and SQLite.
## Why DBHub?
DBHub brings powerful database capabilities to AI coding assistants:
- **Local Development First**: Zero dependency, token efficient with just two MCP tools to maximize context window
- **Multi-Database**: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQL Server, 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
## Key Features
### MCP Tools
DBHub provides AI assistants with direct database access through three core tools:
- **[execute_sql](/tools/execute-sql)**: Run queries with transaction support and safety controls
- **[search_objects](/tools/search-objects)**: Explore schemas, tables, columns, indexes, and procedures
- **[Custom Tools](/tools/custom-tools)**: Define reusable, parameterized SQL operations
### Workbench
A [web-based interface](/workbench/overview) for running database tools and viewing request traces without requiring an MCP client.
## Architecture
```mermaid
flowchart TB
%% Human User
User["Human User"]
%% Workbench
WB["DBHub Workbench"]
%% AI Agent with MCP Client
subgraph Agent["AI Agent"]
MC["MCP Client"]
end
%% Configuration
Config["dbhub.toml"]
%% DBHub Server
subgraph DBHub["DBHub Server"]
MCP["/mcp endpoint"]
subgraph Tools["MCP Tools"]
ES["execute_sql"]
SO["search_objects"]
CT["custom tools"]
end
end
%% Databases
Databases["PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, MariaDB, SQLite"]
%% Connections
User --> WB
WB --> DBHub
Agent --> MC
MC --> MCP
MCP --> Tools
Config -.->|loads| DBHub
Tools --> Databases
```
DBHub acts as a gateway between databases and AI agents. AI agents access databases through the `/mcp` endpoint using MCP tools, while the Workbench provides direct browser-based access for humans.
## Getting Started
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
Install DBHub using Docker, NPM, or pre-built binaries
</Card>
<Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Get DBHub running with your first database connection
</Card>
</CardGroup>
