SQLite

CLI API Reference

sqlite3 command-line shell dot-commands for opening databases, dumping data and inspecting schemas.

By EZ4Code TeamLast updated: 2026-08-01

Dot Commands

sqlite3 shell commands prefixed with a dot.

.open [file]

Closes the current database and opens the given file; ':memory:' for an in-memory database.

Returns: void

.dump [tbl]

Renders the entire database (or a single table) as SQL text suitable for backup or migration.

Returns: void

.import file table

Imports CSV or text data from file into the named table.

Returns: void

.schema [tbl]

Shows the CREATE statements for the database or for the named table.

Returns: void

.tables [pattern]

Lists table names in the database, optionally filtered by a LIKE pattern.

Returns: void