Lukla Data Studio Docs

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Getting started

Install Lukla Data Studio, connect to SQL Server (including SQL Server in Docker on your Mac), and run your first query.

On this page
  1. What you need
  2. Install
  3. Connect to a server
  4. SQL Server in Docker on your Mac
  5. Run your first query
  6. Environments keep production safe
  7. Where things are

#What you need

  • A Mac with Apple silicon running macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
  • SQL Server 2016 or later, on Windows, Linux or in Docker, with a SQL login (a user name and password).

#Install

Download Lukla Data Studio from the download page, open the disk image and drag the app to Applications. It's free during the beta.

#Connect to a server

Choose Connect ▾ ▸ New Connection… at the top of Object Explorer.

The connection form: name, server, port, user name, password, optional database, environment and encryption settings
Edit Connection. Test checks the login before you save.
FieldWhat to enter
NameHow the connection shows in the app, such as Shop production.
Server and PortThe host name or IP address, and the port (1433 unless your server uses another).
Username and PasswordA SQL login. The password is kept in the macOS Keychain.
DatabaseOptional. The database new query tabs start in.
EnvironmentDevelopment, Test, Staging or Production. It colours the connection everywhere and decides how carefully risky statements are checked.
Encrypt connection / Trust server certificateTurn on Trust server certificate for servers with a self-signed certificate, such as SQL Server in Docker.

Press Test to check the login, then Save. The server appears in Object Explorer, labelled like SSMS: host,port (SQL Server 16.0.x – login).

#SQL Server in Docker on your Mac

Terminal
docker run -d --name sql -e ACCEPT_EULA=Y -e MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD='Your!Passw0rd' \
  -p 1433:1433 mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest

Then connect to 127.0.0.1, port 1433, user sa, with Trust server certificate on.

#Run your first query

Right-click a database in Object Explorer and choose New Query, or press ⌘T. Type a query and press ⌘↩ to run the statement under the cursor:

T-SQL
SELECT TOP (10) name, create_date
FROM sys.databases
ORDER BY create_date DESC;

⇧⌘↩ runs the whole script, batch by batch. Results stream into the grid below the editor; see Results grid.

#Environments keep production safe

Each connection's environment colour shows in the tab bar and the connection picker. On Production:

  • an UPDATE or DELETE without a WHERE asks before it runs;
  • DROP, TRUNCATE TABLE and ALTER TABLE … DROP COLUMN ask you to type the database name first;
  • sending SQL to the AI assistant asks first.

The levels per environment are in Settings ▸ Editor.

#Where things are

  • Object Explorer, Files and History share the sidebar on the left (⌘0 shows or hides it).
  • Query tabs fill the rest of the window; each has its own connection and database.
  • The AI assistant opens on the right with the ✦ toolbar button (⇧⌘A).
  • Settings (⌘,) holds the editor, keyboard, formatting, code analysis and AI options.