🦆 DuckDB for VS Code

An unofficial DuckDB extension for Visual Studio Code. Query CSV, Parquet and JSON files directly. Connect to .duckdb, S3, Postgres, Google Sheets and more.

Overview

This extension brings DuckDB directly into VS Code with a focus on creating a productive "DuckDB workspace". Write and execute SQL queries, view results with column statistics, explore database schemas, and manage multiple database connections.

How It Works

All queries execute using the DuckDB Node API embedded in VS Code. By default, queries run against an in-memory database that resets when VS Code closes. You can attach persistent .duckdb files or connect to remote sources like Postgres, S3, or Google Sheets.

Performance Note: When you execute a query, the extension will create a temporary table which is then used for pagination, sorting, filtering, and exporting.

Features

SQL Execution

• Execute queries — Cmd+Enter (Mac) / Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux)
• Run individual statements — CodeLens "Run" buttons above each SQL statement
• SQL autocomplete — Table names, columns, functions, and keywords. Somewhat experimental, can be disabled in settings.
• Inline error diagnostics — Syntax errors shown directly in the editor

File Integration

• Right-click to query — Select files in Explorer → "DuckDB: Query File". CSV, Parquet, JSON, JSONL, TSV supported.
• Summarize files — Quick data profiling with SUMMARIZE

Results Table

• Server-side pagination — Handle millions of rows efficiently via cached temp tables
• Quick Column sorting — Click headers to sort ASC/DESC
• Quick Column filtering — Filter by values, ranges, or patterns
• Cell selection — Click, Shift+click for ranges, copy to clipboard
• Cell expansion — Double-click to view full values (JSON syntax highlighted)
• Export options — CSV, Parquet, JSON, JSONL, or open in new tab

Column Statistics

• Top values — Most frequent values for string columns
• Descriptive stats — Min, max, mean, percentiles, null counts
• Distribution histograms — Visual distribution for numeric columns

Database Explorer

• Manage databases — Create, attach, and switch between databases
• Status bar selector — Quick database switching
• Schema browser — Databases → Schemas → Tables/Views → Columns
• Quick actions — SELECT TOP 100, DESCRIBE, SUMMARIZE, View Definition, Drop Table

Extensions

• Managed extensions — View, add, and remove extensions
• Auto-load on startup — Configured extensions load automatically

Query History

• Automatic tracking — All queries saved with metadata
• Re-run queries — Click to execute again
• Open in editor — Edit and modify past queries
• Optional persistence — Save to .vscode/duckdb-history.db

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Settings

Configure in .vscode/settings.json or VS Code Settings UI:

Database Configuration

duckdb.databases

Databases to auto-attach on startup.

{
"duckdb.databases": [
{
"alias": "analytics",
"type": "file",
"path": "./data/analytics.duckdb",
"readOnly": false,
"attached": true
},
{
"alias": "s3_data",
"type": "file",
"path": "s3://bucket/path/to/data.duckdb",
"readOnly": true,
"attached": true
},
{
"alias": "postgres_mirror",
"type": "manual",
"sql": "ATTACH 'postgres://user:pass@host/db' AS postgres_mirror (TYPE postgres, READ_ONLY)"
}
]
}

Property	Type	Description
alias	string	Database name to use in queries
type	"memory" | "file" | "manual"	Database type
path	string	Path to .duckdb file (for file type)
readOnly	boolean	Open in read-only mode (default: false)
attached	boolean	Auto-attach on startup (default: true)
sql	string	Raw ATTACH statement (for manual type)

duckdb.defaultDatabase

Database to USE after attaching (default: "memory").

duckdb.extensions

Extensions to auto-load on startup.

{
"duckdb.extensions": ["httpfs", "parquet", "json", "postgres"]
}

Results Display

duckdb.resultsLocation

Where to open query results (default: "active").

Value	Description
beside	Open in a new editor group beside the SQL file
active	Open in the same editor group as the SQL file

Tip: To open results below your SQL file instead of beside it, set VS Code’s workbench.editor.openSideBySideDirection to "down".

duckdb.pageSize

Rows per page in results table (default: 1000, range: 100–10,000).

duckdb.maxCopyRows

Maximum rows for copy/export operations (default: 50000, range: 1,000–1,000,000).

Experimental

duckdb.autocomplete.enabled

Enable SQL autocomplete suggestions (default: false). This feature is experimental and may have bugs.

Query History

duckdb.history.persist

Save query history to .vscode/duckdb-history.db (default: false).

duckdb.history.maxEntries

Maximum history entries to keep (default: 1000).

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Commands

Command	Keybinding	Description
DuckDB: Execute Query	Cmd+Enter	Run SQL in active editor
DuckDB: Select Database	—	Switch active database
DuckDB: Manage Extensions	—	Install/remove extensions
DuckDB: Query File	—	Query a data file (right-click)
DuckDB: Summarize File	—	Profile a data file
DuckDB: Copy Query	—	Copy SELECT statement for file

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Requirements

• VS Code 1.74.0 or later
• macOS, Linux, or Windows

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License

MIT

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Not affiliated with DuckDB Labs. DuckDB is a trademark of DuckDB Labs.