bash
mysql -u root -pNotes
Prompts for the password and connects using the default local socket or TCP settings.
MySQL Client and Connection Cheatsheet
mysql client commands for connecting, switching databases, inspecting metadata, and working efficiently in interactive or scripted sessions.
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mysql client basics
Connect, select a database, inspect metadata, and run SQL from the MySQL command line client.
Connect to a remote host and port
Specify the host, port, user, and prompt for a password.
bashANYmysqlconnectremote
bash
mysql -h db.example.com -P 3306 -u app_user -pNotes
Useful for connecting to staging, production, or containerized MySQL instances.
Connect directly to a database
Open mysql and select the target schema immediately.
bashANYmysqldatabaseconnect
bash
mysql -u app_user -p app_dbNotes
Equivalent to connecting first and then running `USE app_db;`.
bash
mysql -u app_user -p -e "SHOW DATABASES;"Notes
Good for scripts, quick checks, and automation tasks.
sql
SHOW DATABASES;Notes
Visibility depends on privileges.
sql
USE app_db;Notes
After `USE`, unqualified table names resolve inside that schema.
sql
SHOW TABLES;Notes
A quick way to inspect schema contents from the CLI.
Describe a table
Inspect columns, types, nullability, keys, and defaults.
sqlANYdescribeschemacolumns
sql
DESCRIBE users;Notes
`DESC users;` is a common shorthand.
Show the exact CREATE TABLE statement
Display table DDL including indexes and engine options.
sqlANYddlshow-createtable
sql
SHOW CREATE TABLE users\GNotes
Using `\G` in the mysql client prints vertical output, which is easier to read for long DDL.
Display warnings from the last statement
Inspect truncation, coercion, and non-fatal issues.
sqlANYwarningsdiagnostics
sql
SHOW WARNINGS;Notes
Very useful after bulk imports or `INSERT ... SELECT` statements.
script-friendly client patterns
Useful flags and metadata commands for shell scripts and automation.
bash
mysql -u app_user -p -N -e "SELECT id, email FROM users LIMIT 5;" app_dbNotes
`-N` removes column names from the output.
Use batch mode for parsable output
Reduce formatting for machine-friendly results.
bashANYmysqlbatchautomation
bash
mysql -u app_user -p -B -e "SELECT NOW();"Notes
`-B` outputs tab-separated rows that are easier to parse in shell tools.
Log an interactive session to a file
Write statements and output to a transcript file.
sqlANYmysqlteelogging
sql
tee /tmp/mysql-session.logNotes
Inside the mysql client, `tee` starts recording output; `notee` turns it off.
Show connection status in the mysql client
Display host, connection id, server version, and current database.
sqlANYmysqlstatussession
sql
statusNotes
Useful for verifying where you are connected before running risky statements.
Show active sessions
Inspect current client connections and statements.
sqlANYprocesslistsessionstroubleshooting
sql
SHOW PROCESSLIST;Notes
Helpful when diagnosing blocked queries or long-running sessions.
sql
KILL 12345;Notes
Use carefully in production; get the connection id from `SHOW PROCESSLIST`.
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