Azimutt

Azimutt is an open-source database exploration tool designed to help users design, document, and analyze complex database schemas. It serves as a visual alternative to traditional database clients and data catalogs by providing an entity-relationship diagram (ERD) interface that remains usable even as the number of tables grows. The tool addresses the common problem where standard ERD software becomes cluttered and unreadable when applied to real-world databases with hundreds of tables.

The software is deployed as a web application and can be self-hosted via Docker, Kubernetes, or Heroku. It allows users to import SQL files or connect to existing databases to visualize relationships and navigate data structures. By combining the capabilities of a data catalog and a database client, it provides a way to explore schemas through a visual lens rather than relying solely on table and column lists.

Key features

• Schema design using AML for fast diagramming
• Search functionality to locate tables and columns across the schema
• Visual navigation of foreign key relations
• Documentation support via table and column notes, tags, and memos
• Schema analysis to identify inconsistencies and apply best practices
• Ability to load public SQL files via URL parameters
• Support for multiple database types including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB
• Custom layouts and memos for organizing features or team scopes

Azimutt is built with an Elixir and Phoenix backend and an Elm frontend. It is intended for developers, architects, and database administrators who manage large, messy schemas where standard ERD tools fail to scale. The tool focuses on the intersection of visual diagramming and data querying, allowing users to follow foreign keys and display specific entities directly within the diagram to better understand data flow and dependencies.

This tool positions itself as a specialized utility for understanding database architecture and maintaining living schema documentation for complex environments.