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Connect to a database

The fastest way to diagram an existing database is to let EntityFlow read it for you. Connecting is read-only — EntityFlow only introspects the schema to draw your diagram and never modifies the database.

Connect to database step

Connect​

  1. In the New diagram wizard, choose Connect to database.
  2. Pick the engine: PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, SQL Server, Supabase, or SQLite (via file upload).
  3. Enter the connection details: host, port, database, user and password.
  4. Tick Use SSL if your database requires an encrypted connection.
  5. Click Test connection to confirm EntityFlow can reach it.

Choose what to import​

Once connected, EntityFlow shows the schema as a checkbox tree. Expand schemas and tables and tick only what you need — leave out staging tables, audit logs or anything irrelevant to your diagram.

Remember the connection​

Optionally tick remember the connection to store it (encrypted) so you can later sync the diagram against the live schema.

:::info Credentials handling Your credentials are used only to read the schema. They are not stored unless you choose to remember the connection — in which case they're kept encrypted. :::

:::note Self-hosting policy On self-hosted instances, the administrator controls whether connections to private or internal hosts are permitted. If a connection is refused, check your deployment's configuration. :::