SQLite CLI | SQLite

📄️ SQLite CLI Overview

Understand what the sqlite3 shell is, when to use it, and how SQL statements differ from dot commands.

Learn how to open an existing SQLite database file from the CLI and confirm which file is currently active.

Create a brand-new SQLite database file from the CLI and verify that the file is created correctly.

Use dot commands to inspect databases, configure output, and control sqlite3 shell behavior efficiently.

List tables in the current SQLite database and understand why .tables output can sometimes look empty.

Inspect table definitions with .schema so you can understand structure before writing data queries.

Import CSV data into SQLite from the CLI using .mode and .import, then validate row counts.

Export query results or full tables from SQLite CLI into CSV files using output mode and redirection commands.

Exit sqlite3 cleanly using .quit or keyboard shortcuts and understand what happens to your current session.