Simpl.sh is a calm, opinionated way to browse your database
The Problem
Every project eventually hits the same wall. You need to answer simple questions: What's actually in this table? Can I quickly find that record? Why does this schema feel so hard to read?
Your options are limited. Existing database tools are either spreadsheet-first, enterprise-heavy, overly configurable, or just plain ugly. You end up building throwaway admin UIs over and over, just to understand your own data.
The Solution
Simpl is a read-only, schema-aware browser for Postgres databases. Connect your database and instantly get:
A clean table browser — Humanized names, row counts, organized navigation
Curated list views — Smart column selection, readable rows, no noise
Rich detail views — Profile-page feel with strong visual hierarchy
Simple search — One input, sensible results, no query builders
It's intentionally not a CMS, not a BI tool, and not an internal app builder. It does one thing exceptionally well: help you understand and navigate your data.
Key Features
Schema-Aware Intelligence
Simpl introspects your database and automatically generates intelligent views. It understands your schema—tables, columns, foreign keys, enums—and uses that knowledge to surface meaningful information without manual configuration.
Smart Field Rendering
Each data type gets purpose-built treatment:
Human-friendly dates and timestamps
Formatted JSON with syntax highlighting
Code blocks with language detection
Foreign keys displayed as navigable links, not raw IDs
Null values handled gracefully without visual noise
Layout Customization
Per-table control over:
Column visibility in list and detail views
Field ordering via drag-and-drop
Primary "title" field designation
Multi-column sorting and filtering
All changes persist automatically—no save buttons, no friction.
Relationship Navigation
Foreign keys are first-class citizens. Navigate between related records effortlessly, with relationships visually distinguished by a subtle violet accent.
Powerful Filtering
Type-aware filter operators:
Text: equals, contains, starts/ends with, empty checks
Numbers: comparisons, ranges, between
Dates: before, after, between, relative ranges
Arrays: contains, length checks, empty states
Booleans: true, false, null handling
Design Philosophy
Simpl is built on principles of quiet confidence:
Paper-like surfaces that float gently above the page
Hero typography — titles are prominent, supporting elements defer
Purposeful color — violet reserved exclusively for relationships
Generous spacing — every element has room to breathe
No dashboard aesthetic — feels like a finished product, not an admin panel
The visual language is calm, neutral, and refined. A screenshot should look like something you'd be proud to show.
Target Audience
Solo builders and small teams who:
Already use Postgres
Are comfortable with connection strings
Want to browse real data without building UI first
Value readability over raw power
Prefer calm defaults over endless configuration
Not for:
Large enterprise teams
Non-technical end users
Compliance-heavy organizations
Full CRUD application needs
Security First
Connection strings encrypted at rest (AES-256-GCM)
SSL-only database connections
Read-only access enforced
Parameterized queries throughout
Table and column names allow-listed from introspection
10-second query timeouts prevent runaway operations
Technical Foundation
Next.js App Router with React Server Components
Two-plane architecture — app database (Prisma) separated from user databases (node-postgres)
TanStack Table for high-performance data rendering
Zod for runtime validation at every boundary
Schema caching with 1-hour TTL for snappy navigation
The Promise
Connect a database and instantly understand and find your data.
If Simpl disappeared tomorrow, you'd want to rebuild it. That's the goal—a tool so useful in its simplicity that you can't imagine working without it.
