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Database Tool: Sequel Ace

Overview

Sequel Ace is a modern, open-source, and user-friendly macOS application for managing MySQL and MariaDB databases.
It is actively maintained as a successor to Sequel Pro, which is now deprecated.
Sequel Ace supports local, socket, and SSH connections, making it easy to manage databases on macOS.

Migration from Sequel Pro

Follow these steps to migrate your connections and settings from Sequel Pro to Sequel Ace:

1. Install Sequel Ace

You can install Sequel Ace via Homebrew:

brew install --cask sequel-ace

Or download it from the Mac App Store.

2. Close Both Applications

Ensure both Sequel Pro and Sequel Ace are completely closed before migrating.

3. Migrate Preferences

Copy Sequel Pro preferences to Sequel Ace:

cp ~/Library/Preferences/com.sequelpro.SequelPro.plist ~/Library/Containers/com.sequel-ace.sequel-ace/Data/Library/Preferences/com.sequel-ace.sequel-ace.plist

4. Migrate Favorites

Copy your saved favorite connections:

cp ~/Library/Application\ Support/Sequel\ Pro/Data/Favorites.plist ~/Library/Containers/com.sequel-ace.sequel-ace/Data/Library/Application\ Support/Sequel\ Ace/Data/Favorites.plist

5. Migrate Passwords (Optional)

If you used the macOS Keychain to store passwords in Sequel Pro, you might need to re-enter them in Sequel Ace, as Keychain entries are not automatically transferred.

For more information, refer to the Sequel Ace documentation.

6. Launch Sequel Ace

Open Sequel Ace. Your migrated connections and favorites should appear automatically.

Creating a New Connection

  1. Click "Add Connection" or "+".
  2. Choose connection type: Standard, Socket, or SSH.
  3. Fill in details:
    • Hostname / IP
    • Port (default 3306)
    • Username & Password
    • Database (optional)
  4. Test the connection and save.

Key Features

  • Favorites: Save frequently used connections.
  • Query Editor: Write and run SQL queries with syntax highlighting.
  • Table Browser: View and edit tables directly.
  • Import / Export: CSV, SQL dump, or other formats.
  • SSH Tunneling: Securely connect to remote databases.
  • Dark Mode Support: Matches macOS system appearance.
  • Activity Log: Monitor queries executed and execution times.

Tips for Sequel Pro Users

  • Keyboard shortcuts are similar, easing the transition.
  • Most Sequel Pro plugins and workflows work out-of-the-box.
  • Regularly check Sequel Ace GitHub for updates and bug fixes.
  • Use Homebrew updates to keep Sequel Ace up-to-date:
brew upgrade --cask sequel-ace

Useful Commands

  • List installed version:
brew info --cask sequel-ace
  • Reinstall Sequel Ace if needed:
brew reinstall --cask sequel-ace

References