> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.flare-db.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# SQL shell

> Query and manage FlareDB tables with the interactive SQL shell.

Start the shell with:

```bash theme={null}
flare sql
```

The shell opens a `flare>` prompt and accepts standard SQL statements. End each statement with a semicolon, and it executes right away. Multi-line statements are supported — continuation lines use the `... |` prompt.

## Built-in commands

| Command        | Description     |
| -------------- | --------------- |
| `help`         | Show help text. |
| `exit`, `quit` | Exit the shell. |

## Examples

Create a table, insert rows, and query them back:

```sql theme={null}

CREATE TABLE users (id INT, name STRING);
INSERT INTO users VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob');

SELECT * FROM users;
```

List the tables you have created:

```sql theme={null}
SHOW TABLES;
```

## Working with pipeline data

Tables you write from a Beam pipeline with [FlareDB I/O](/io) appear here just like any other table. Query them by their fully qualified name, for example:

```sql theme={null}
SELECT * FROM flare.default.scores;
```

For details on writing tables from a pipeline, see [FlareDB I/O](/io).