MySQL Client and Connection Cheatsheet

mysql -u root -p

# Open an interactive mysql session.

mysql -h db.example.com -P 3306 -u app_user -p

# Specify the host, port, user, and prompt for a password.

mysql -u app_user -p app_db

# Open mysql and select the target schema immediately.

mysql -u app_user -p -e "SHOW DATABASES;"

# Execute a SQL statement non-interactively.

SHOW DATABASES;

# Display all databases visible to the current account.

USE app_db;

# Set the active database for subsequent statements.

SHOW TABLES;

# Display tables in the selected schema.

DESCRIBE users;

# Inspect columns, types, nullability, keys, and defaults.

SHOW CREATE TABLE users\G

# Display table DDL including indexes and engine options.

SHOW WARNINGS;

# Inspect truncation, coercion, and non-fatal issues.

mysql -u app_user -p -N -e "SELECT id, email FROM users LIMIT 5;" app_db

# Print raw rows for scripts and pipelines.

mysql -u app_user -p -B -e "SELECT NOW();"

# Reduce formatting for machine-friendly results.

tee /tmp/mysql-session.log

# Write statements and output to a transcript file.

status

# Display host, connection id, server version, and current database.

SHOW PROCESSLIST;

# Inspect current client connections and statements.

KILL 12345;

# Terminate a session by connection id.