Database Diagram Tool - dbdocs.io

Here is another documentation tool that uses the DBML format.

Steps

First install the CLI tool

sudo npm install -g dbdocs

Then you will need to login. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is through your Github account.

dbdocs login

Create your database document, or copy it over from when using dbdiagram.io

editor database.dbml

When you've finished creating the document, or made some changes, publish it with:

dbdocs build database.dbml

Set Password

You probably want to set a password so that only people you share this with can view your documentation:

dbdocs \
  password --set "passwordGoesHere" \
  --project "My Project Name"

It's a shame one cannot just specify the database.dbml file and it pull the project name from there.

Spaces In Name

You can have spaces in your project name by using quotes. E.g.

Project "My Project Name" {
  database_type: 'PostgreSQL'
  Note: 'A database for the project'
}

Markdown In Document Note

You can have markdown in your document note. E.g.

Project "My Project Name" {
  database_type: 'PostgreSQL'
  Note: '''
    # My Project Name
This is the database schematic is for ....
  '''
}

Defining Table Note

Add the following to your table

note: 'My note goes here.'

Unfortunately, it does not work with markdown, even if you use '''

Specifying Null or Not Null

Table orders {
  id int [primary key]
  user_id int [not null]
  status varchar
  created_at varchar [null, note: 'When this order was created']
}

Notes

• I really love that when you are in the default "Table Structure" view, you click on a table in the left-hand pane, you only see the tables that relate to it. Thus if working on a database with a LOT of tables, you don't become overwhelmed trying to find your table in the graphical view.

References

• dbdocs.io - docs
• community.dbdiagram.io - Defining a field as NULL or NOT NULL