sqlfmt review
A focused PostgreSQL formatter with diff workflows, editor integrations, and CI support.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
sqlfmt is an open-source, gofmt-style command-line formatter for PostgreSQL SQL. It is aimed at developers and teams that want consistent formatting across local workflows, editors, scripts, and CI pipelines. The tool can print formatted SQL, rewrite files in place with the -w option, identify files whose formatting would change, and read from standard input while writing to standard output. It also formats EXPLAIN statements and parses EXPLAIN plan output, extending its focus beyond ordinary query text.
Its strongest fit is a diff-based review workflow. sqlfmt can produce unified diffs for formatted SQL, making proposed changes visible before files are rewritten. Teams can use GitHub Actions for CI testing, while Emacs and Vim integrations bring formatting into established editor workflows. A WebAssembly build supports browser use, and the included Go formatting library provides a programming interface for Go-based tooling. Together, these options cover command-line, editor, CI, browser, and library-based use without changing the product’s PostgreSQL focus.
The main trade-off is breadth. sqlfmt formats PostgreSQL SQL, so teams working across several SQL dialects should look for a formatter with wider dialect coverage. Its river-aligned formatting rules also present a defined style rather than a broad set of style choices. Choose sqlfmt when PostgreSQL consistency, in-place rewriting, unified diffs, and lightweight workflow integration matter most. Choose an alternative when a multi-dialect formatter or a more configurable presentation layer is the priority.
sqlfmt pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Formats PostgreSQL SQL and rewrites files in place
- Produces unified diffs and lists files needing formatting
- Works with Emacs, Vim, WebAssembly, and GitHub Actions
- Where it doesn't
- Supports PostgreSQL rather than multiple SQL dialects
- Command-line workflow may not suit teams wanting a broader GUI tool
- Formatting follows river-aligned rules rather than configurable styles
sqlfmt fact sheet, pricing and score →
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