---
name: datasette-1ea81e60555c
description: Datasette — serve SQLite over HTTP with metadata YAML, JSON API, plugins; MOOLLM path from cursor-mirror export.
license: MIT
tier: 1
allowed-tools: [read, grep, glob, run_terminal_cmd]
related: [sqlite, cursor-mirror, schema]
tags: [moollm, datasette, sqlite, http, json-api]
---

# Datasette

Part of MOOLLM · [skills/datasette/](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/main/skills/datasette)

**Datasette** ([datasette.io](https://datasette.io/)) is the **CLI and runtime** for publishing **SQLite** files as a **read-only** web application and **JSON API**. It sits on top of the same **`.db` file format** as the **`sqlite`** engine: this skill is the **tooling and ecosystem** layer (serve, metadata, plugins, CORS), not a second database engine.

**sqlite → datasette:** you pass the **same path** as `sqlite3 my.db`. Datasette does **not** build a second on-disk database for serving—**read-only HTTP** over that file. That is the usual sense of **“zero copy” live publishing** here: no duplicate `.db` artifact; refreshes see **committed** data from other writers when the file uses a normal **WAL** setup. For a static snapshot, serve a copy or use **`--immutable`** on a file you do not change.

## What you get

- **`datasette`** — local web server; table browse, filters, **Custom SQL**, export links.
- **Metadata YAML** — per-database titles, **facets**, **sortable columns**, **canned queries** (named SQL with optional `:parameters`).
- **`--crossdb`** — attach multiple SQLite files; run SQL that references more than one database (see Datasette docs for exact SQL shape).
- **Plugins** — ecosystem extends CSV export, maps, full-text helpers, etc. ([Plugin directory](https://datasette.io/plugins)).
- **JSON API** — append `.json` to many URLs for programmatic use ([JSON API](https://docs.datasette.io/en/stable/json_api.html)).

Official documentation: **https://docs.datasette.io/**

## Install

Use **pip** / **pipx** / your OS package manager per current Datasette docs. You need the `datasette` command on `PATH`.

## Basic serve

```bash
datasette mydata.db
```

Opens a local port (default in docs) with table list and row browsing.

## Metadata

Point at a YAML file with **`-m` / `--metadata`**. It can define `title`, `description`, per-**`databases`**, per-**`tables`** (facets, labels), and **`queries`** (canned SQL surfaced in the UI).

## cursor-mirror integration

MOOLLM’s **cursor-mirror** skill ships a **consolidated export** and a **large metadata file** tuned for introspection:

| Artifact | Role |
|----------|------|
| **`lib/datasette_export.py`** → **`export_datasette(output_path)`** | Builds a single **`cursor-mirror.db`** with tables such as `composers`, `transcript_sections`, `shell_commands`, `tool_calls`, `usage_events`, `feature_flags` (see module docstring). |
| **`reference/universal/datasette-metadata.yml`** | Datasette metadata: **canned queries** (tool usage, shell audit, cost, timelines), **facets**, **cross-database** layout for **`cursor-mirror`** + **`cursor-model`**. |
| **`reference/universal/TIME-INDEXED-TABLES.md`** | Notes on **time columns** for bucketing and correlating with other SQLite DBs in the same Datasette process. |

**Typical flow**

1. From the **cursor-mirror** skill directory (or with `PYTHONPATH` set so `lib` imports resolve), run Python to call **`export_datasette(Path("cursor-mirror.db"))`** (see **`datasette_export.py`** for parameters and defaults).
2. Ensure **`cursor-model.db`** exists if you want the **universal model** side (same metadata file names both databases).
3. Serve with **cross-database** and metadata:

```bash
datasette cursor-mirror.db cursor-model.db --crossdb \
  -m reference/universal/datasette-metadata.yml \
  --cors -p 8001
```

Adjust paths to your checkout. Extra SQLite files (e.g. other Cursor history DBs) can be **additional** positional arguments; they appear as separate databases and can be joined in **Custom SQL** when timestamps align (see **`TIME-INDEXED-TABLES.md`**).

**Security:** Datasette is powerful; do **not** expose it on untrusted networks without authentication and threat modeling. Treat exported DBs as **sensitive** (chat content, tool history, shell commands).

## Relationship to other skills

| Skill | Role |
|-------|------|
| **sqlite** | Engine and **`.db`** file semantics; **`sqlite3`** CLI for direct SQL. |
| **cursor-mirror** | Source data and **export**; mirror CLI and YAML model docs. |
| **schema** | Schemapedia **`datasette`** mechanism points here. |

## Related skills

- **`sqlite`** — file format, pragmas, JSON1 when you edit the DB outside Datasette.
- **`cursor-mirror`** — full introspection protocol and mirror commands.

## Part of MOOLLM

**This skill's directory (browse and fetch everything):** [skills/datasette/](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/tree/main/skills/datasette)

- **MOOLLM:** [repo](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm) · **Skill index and docs:** [skills/README](https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/main/skills/README.md)


---
Source attribution: SimHacker
Original project: https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/datasette/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Don Hopkins

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Mega AI Hub resource metadata

Creator / publisher: SimHacker
Original project: https://github.com/SimHacker/moollm/blob/b38fddeee4512e9111afe056cee4348097e54a3f/skills/datasette/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Data & Analytics, Development & Engineering
Roles: Backend Developer, Data Analyst, ML / AI Engineer
Specialties: API, Database
Tools: Datasette, SQLite
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: eb413f3790a7855d9087f30600cf7c4ec1f2f3c8ced54bfbcb4b2052b376339d