Pharos
Table of contents
Overview
Pharos is a native macOS PostgreSQL client built with Swift and Rust. It provides a fast, focused environment for exploring databases, writing SQL, and analyzing query results – all within a native AppKit interface that feels at home on macOS.
Features
- Getting Started – Install Pharos and connect to your first database
- Connections – Manage multiple PostgreSQL server connections with SSL support
- Schema Browser – Navigate schemas, tables, views, and columns in a tree browser
- Query Editor – Write SQL with syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and bracket matching
- Query Execution – Run queries with cancellation support and paginated results
- Results Grid – View results in a native table with sorting, find, and filter
- Inspector – View detailed row data and multi-row aggregate statistics
- Column Filters – Filter results by column with type-aware operators
- Data Export – Copy and export data in multiple formats including CSV, JSON, and Excel
- Saved Queries – Organize and reuse queries with folder-based organization
- Query History – Browse and revisit previously executed queries
- Table Operations – Clone tables, import CSV data, and export table contents
- Settings – Configure appearance, editor preferences, and query behavior
- Keyboard Shortcuts – Complete reference for all keyboard shortcuts
Architecture
Pharos combines a Swift frontend with a Rust core library for database operations. The user interface is built entirely with AppKit, providing native macOS controls, sheets, popovers, and system appearance support. The Rust core (pharos-core) handles PostgreSQL connections, query execution, and data processing via a C FFI bridge.
System Requirements
- macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later
- A PostgreSQL server to connect to (local or remote)