dbcli · amjith · Aug 11, 2025 · Aug 10, 2025
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+# Using the \llm Command (AI-assisted SQL)
+
+The `\llm` special command lets you ask natural-language questions and get SQL proposed for you. It uses the open‑source `llm` CLI under the hood and enriches your prompt with database context (schema and one sample row per table) so answers can include runnable SQL.
+
+Alias: `\ai` works the same as `\llm`.
+
+---
+
+## Quick Start
+
+1) Configure your API key (only needed for remote providers like OpenAI):
+
+```text
+\llm keys set openai
+```
+
+2) Ask a question. The response’s SQL (inside a ```sql fenced block) is extracted and pre-filled at the prompt:
+
+```text
+World> \llm "Capital of India?"
+-- Answer text from the model...
+-- ```sql
+-- SELECT ...;
+-- ```
+-- Your prompt is prefilled with the SQL above.
+```
+
+You can now hit Enter to run, or edit the query first.
+
+---
+
+## What Context Is Sent
+
+When you ask a plain question via `\llm "..."`, mycli:
+- Sends your question.
+- Adds your current database schema: table names with column types.
+- Adds one sample row (if available) from each table.
+
+This helps the model propose SQL that fits your schema. Follow‑ups using `-c` continue the same conversation and do not re-send the DB context (see “Continue Conversation (-c)”).
+
+Note: Context is gathered from the current connection. If you are not connected, using contextual mode will fail — connect first.
+
+---
+
+## Using `llm` Subcommands from mycli
+
+You can run any `llm` CLI subcommand by prefixing it with `\llm` inside mycli. Examples:
+
+- List models:
+  ```text
+  \llm models
+  ```
+- Set the default model:
+  ```text
+  \llm models default gpt-5
+  ```
+- Set provider API key:
+  ```text
+  \llm keys set openai
+  ```
+- Install a plugin (e.g., local models via Ollama):
+  ```text
+  \llm install llm-ollama
+  ```
+  After installing or uninstalling plugins, mycli will restart to pick up new commands.
+
+Tab completion works for `\llm` subcommands, and even for model IDs under `models default`.
+
+Aside: <https://ollama.com/> for using local models.
+
+---
+
+## Ask Questions With DB Context (default)
+
+Ask your question in quotes. mycli sends database context and extracts a SQL block if present.
+
+```text
+World> \llm "Most visited urls?"
+```
+
+Behavior:
+- Response is printed in the output pane.
+- If the response contains a ```sql fenced block, mycli extracts the SQL and pre-fills it at your prompt.
+
+---
+
+## Continue Conversation (-c)
+
+Use `-c` to ask a follow‑up that continues the previous conversation with the model. This does not re-send the DB context; it relies on the ongoing thread.
+
+```text
+World> \llm "Top 10 customers by spend"
+-- model returns analysis and a ```sql block; SQL is prefilled
+World> \llm -c "Now include each customer's email and order count"
+```
+
+Behavior:
+- Continues the last conversation in the `llm` history.
+- Database context is not re-sent on follow‑ups.
+- If the response includes a ```sql block, the SQL is pre-filled at your prompt.
+
+
+---
+
+## Examples
+
+- List available models:
+  ```text
+  World> \llm models
+  ```
+
+- Change default model:
+  ```text
+  World> \llm models default llama3
+  ```
+
+- Set API key (for providers that require it):
+  ```text
+  World> \llm keys set openai
+  ```
+
+- Ask a question with context:
+  ```text
+  World> \llm "Capital of India?"
+  ```
+
+- Use a local model (after installing a plugin such as `llm-ollama`):
+  ```text
+  World> \llm install llm-ollama
+  World> \llm models default llama3
+  World> \llm "Top 10 customers by spend"
+  ```
+
+See: <https://ollama.com/> for details.
+
+---
+
+## Customize the Prompt Template
+
+mycli uses a saved `llm` template named `mycli-llm-template` for contextual questions. You can view or edit it:
+
+```text
+World> \llm templates edit mycli-llm-template
+```
+
+Tip: After first use, mycli ensures this template exists. To just view it without editing, use:
+
+```text
+World> \llm templates show mycli-llm-template
+```
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+- No SQL pre-fill: Ensure the model’s response includes a ```sql fenced block. The built‑in prompt encourages this, but some models may omit it; try asking the model to include SQL in a ```sql block.
+- Not connected to a database: Contextual questions require a live connection. Connect first. Follow‑ups with `-c` only help after a successful contextual call.
+- Plugin changes not recognized: After `\llm install` or `\llm uninstall`, mycli restarts automatically to load new commands.
+- Provider/API issues: Use `\llm keys list` and `\llm keys set <provider>` to check credentials. Use `\llm models` to confirm available models.
+
+---
+
+## Notes and Safety
+
+- Data sent: Contextual questions send schema (table/column names and types) and a single sample row per table. Review your data sensitivity policies before using remote models; prefer local models (such as ollama) if needed.
+- Help: Running `\llm` with no arguments shows a short usage message.
+
+---
+
+## Learn More
+
+- `llm` project docs: https://llm.datasette.io/
+- `llm` plugin directory: https://llm.datasette.io/en/stable/plugins/directory.html