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Deep dives into database internals, performance optimization, and the craft of building professional developer tools.

Latest Release~/ssl-defaults-for-cloud-dbs.mdx

v0.21.3 — SSL Just Works for Cloud Postgres and MySQL

A 0.21.3 patch fixes the self-signed certificate error that made 'Use SSL' unusable against AWS RDS, Supabase, Neon, and DigitalOcean Managed Databases. Strict CA verification is now opt-in, and unhelpful TLS errors get an actionable hint pointing to the right checkbox.

Apr 22, 2026
3 min read
postgresmysql
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Entry: multi-statement-step-through

Step-Through Debugging for SQL, Because `BEGIN; -- nope` Is Not a Workflow

Running a multi-statement SQL script is an all-or-nothing gamble. data-peek's step-through executor pauses between statements, keeps the connection open across pauses, and lets you inspect, skip, or abort — without manually pasting statements one by one.

Apr 20, 20266 min read
Entry: schema-intel-diagnostics

One-Click Diagnostics for the Schema Problems You Already Have

Every Postgres database accumulates schema debt — tables without primary keys, foreign keys without indexes, duplicate indexes, bloat. data-peek's Schema Intel runs the diagnostic queries you keep meaning to write, surfaces the findings, and gives you copyable SQL fixes.

Apr 20, 20266 min read
Entry: smart-sort-bar

Sorting by Three Columns Shouldn't Require a CASE Statement

Every SQL client lets you click a column header to sort. Almost none let you sort by three columns at once without dropping into SQL. Here's how data-peek's Smart Sort Bar adds type-aware, chip-based multi-sort on top of any result set — without touching the query.

Apr 20, 20266 min read
Entry: benchmark-mode-p50-p90-p99

Stop Pasting \timing — Run Your SQL 100 Times and Get p99

A single-run query timing is a lie. How data-peek's Benchmark Mode runs your query up to 500 times, computes p90/p95/p99 latencies, breaks down per-phase timing, and stops you from shipping a query based on a lucky first execution.

Apr 11, 20268 min read
Entry: blurring-pii-in-your-sql-client

I Can Finally Screen-Share My SQL Client Without Leaking Prod Data

How data-peek auto-masks PII columns with regex rules, a CSS blur, and an Alt-to-peek escape hatch — so you can demo, record, or pair on production data without the pre-flight panic.

Apr 11, 20267 min read
Entry: connection-health-monitor-in-a-sql-client

I Put pg_stat_activity in My SQL Client — And Added a Kill Button

How data-peek's Connection Health Monitor turns Postgres system views into a two-second refresh dashboard with one-click query cancellation, live lock detection, and cache-hit ratios.

Apr 11, 20267 min read
Entry: fk-aware-fake-data-generator

Generating Realistic Seed Data That Respects Foreign Keys, in 20 Seconds

How data-peek's built-in data generator uses column-name heuristics, Faker.js, and a live FK sampler to produce 10,000 rows of believable test data across related tables — without writing a seed script.

Apr 11, 20268 min read
Entry: listen-notify-without-tears

Debugging Postgres LISTEN/NOTIFY Is Finally Pleasant

A dedicated pub/sub panel for Postgres LISTEN/NOTIFY: SQLite-backed event history, exponential backoff reconnects, multi-channel subscriptions, and a send button that replaces the throwaway Node script you keep rewriting.

Apr 11, 20267 min read
Entry: check-table-sizes-postgresql

How to Check Table Sizes in PostgreSQL

Every query to find bloated tables, wasted space, and the real size of your PostgreSQL database — with examples you can run right now

Mar 31, 20268 min read
Entry: postgresql-vs-mysql-2026

PostgreSQL vs MySQL in 2026: A Developer's Honest Comparison

No fanboy wars, no benchmarks from 2014 — just an honest look at when to pick PostgreSQL and when MySQL is the better call

Mar 30, 202610 min read
Entry: export-sql-results-csv-json-excel

How to Export SQL Query Results to CSV, JSON, and Excel

The complete guide to getting data out of your database and into the format your PM actually asked for

Mar 29, 20268 min read
Entry: why-we-built-data-peek

Why We Built data-peek: A SQL Client That Gets Out of Your Way

Every SQL client felt like it was built for DBAs in 2005. So we made one for developers in 2026.

Mar 28, 20268 min read
Entry: keyboard-first-database-browsing

Keyboard-First Database Browsing: How data-peek Saves You Time

Every keyboard shortcut, workflow trick, and productivity hack in data-peek — because your mouse is holding you back

Mar 27, 20267 min read
Entry: understanding-explain-analyze

Understanding EXPLAIN ANALYZE: A Visual Guide to Query Plans

Query plans look like alien hieroglyphics the first time. Here's how to actually read them and make your queries faster.

Mar 26, 20269 min read
Entry: virtualizing-html-tables

The Challenge of Virtualizing HTML Tables

How we fixed typing lag in Monaco editor caused by large result sets, and why virtualizing HTML tables is surprisingly tricky

Dec 19, 20255 min read
Entry: building-dashboard-widgets

Building a Metabase-like Dashboard System in Electron

How we added drag-and-drop dashboards with charts, KPIs, and data tables to data-peek, complete with auto-refresh scheduling and AI-powered widget suggestions.

Dec 18, 202510 min read
Entry: building-ai-sql-assistant

Building an AI-Powered SQL Assistant in Electron

How we added natural language database queries to data-peek with structured responses, multi-provider support, and persistent chat sessions.

Dec 10, 20256 min read
Entry: ai-assistant-deep-dive

AI Assistant Deep Dive: Components & Patterns

Technical deep dive into the component architecture, state management, and IPC patterns behind data-peek's AI features.

Dec 8, 20259 min read
Entry: query-performance-analyzer

Building a Query Performance Analyzer in Electron

How we added PlanetScale-style query insights to data-peek, detecting missing indexes and N+1 patterns using PostgreSQL's EXPLAIN ANALYZE.

Dec 15, 20249 min read