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

# Connect a MySQL GUI to PlanetScale

## Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to connect to a PlanetScale database using a MySQL GUI. While this tutorial uses Sequel Ace as a demonstration, many applications that connect to MySQL databases will support connecting to and querying a PlanetScale database as long as the applicaton supports connecting over SSL.

## Gather the credentials

To connect to a PlanetScale database, you'll need four pieces of information:

* The database name
* Host name
* Username
* Password

The easiest way to gather this information is by selecting the **Connect** button from the **Dashboard** tab. Then, on the **Connect** page, select the branch that you wish to connect to and click the **Create password** button. Within the **Select a language or framework** section, select "Other" to display the connection details as a list instead of a language or framework-specific connection string.

<Note>
  As a security best practice, passwords are only displayed when they are created.
</Note>

## Connect to the database

In the application you are using, enter the access information you gathered in the previous step into the appropriate fields. Make sure to check **"Require SSL"** as SSL is required to connect to a PlanetScale database. Click **"Connect"** once you are finished.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/planetscale-2/AJPY38bILe2zenXX/images/assets/docs/tutorials/connect-mysql-gui/ace-connect.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AJPY38bILe2zenXX&q=85&s=917a6f3faaaa65eca280742f4db0e73e" alt="The new connection window in Sequel Ace." width="1390" height="953" data-path="images/assets/docs/tutorials/connect-mysql-gui/ace-connect.png" />
</Frame>

If the connection is successful, you should be able to query your database and perform other [supported operations](/vitess/troubleshooting/mysql-compatibility).

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/planetscale-2/AJPY38bILe2zenXX/images/assets/docs/tutorials/connect-mysql-gui/ace-query.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=AJPY38bILe2zenXX&q=85&s=e7b77e5ea7ca4d1b2f825004497b3910" alt="A sample query in Sequel Ace." width="1389" height="909" data-path="images/assets/docs/tutorials/connect-mysql-gui/ace-query.png" />
</Frame>

## Caveats

While many standard MySQL statements are supported, there are a few caveats worth calling out:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Each branch of a PlanetScale database is considered an isolated MySQL database. You'll need separate connection details per branch.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Production branches with [safe migrations](/vitess/schema-changes/safe-migrations) enforce the use of [branching](/vitess/schema-changes/branching) and [deploy requests](/vitess/schema-changes/deploy-requests) to safely make schema changes and do not support direct DDL as a result. However, DDL is supported on development branches and production branches without safe migrations enabled (not recommended).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Creating new databases is not supported using any GUI tool.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tested GUIs

The following MySQL GUI applications have been tested and confirmed to work with PlanetScale databases:

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Sequel Ace" icon="rocket-launch" href="https://sequel-ace.com/" horizontal />

  <Card title="TablePlus" icon="table" href="https://tableplus.com/" horizontal />

  <Card title="MySQL Workbench" icon="desktop" href="https://www.mysql.com/products/workbench/" horizontal />

  <Card title="JetBrains DataGrip" icon="code" href="https://planetscale.com/blog/using-planetscale-with-jetbrains-datagrip-mysql-gui" horizontal />
</Columns>

## Need help?

Get help from [the PlanetScale Support team](https://planetscale.com/contact?initial=support), or join our [Discord community](https://pscale.link/community) to see how others are using PlanetScale.