Run SQL Block

VS Code extension to select and execute the SQL block between blank lines (or optionally GO commands) under your cursor with your database extension (configurable).

This is a recreation for VS Code of “Run Query Section” from QE Boost by dzsquared for Azure Data Studio.

Features

• One keystroke to:
  1. Select the current block (bounded by empty lines, optionally GO), and
  2. execute it via your SQL extension.
• Default keybinding: Ctrl+Shift+E (only when the editor has focus).
• Works with SQL Server (mssql) by default; configurable for Postgres/MySQL/etc.
• Option to treat GO as a separator.

Requirements

You need a database extension that provides a “run query” command, e.g.:

• SQL Server: SQL Server (mssql) → command mssql.runQuery
• PostgreSQL: your Postgres extension’s command (often postgres.runQuery)
• MySQL: your MySQL extension’s command

Usage

1. Open a .sql file and connect with your database extension.

2. Place the cursor anywhere inside a block like:

   -- Block A
   SELECT TOP 5 * FROM sys.tables
   
   -- Block B
   SELECT 1 AS x
   

3. Press Ctrl+Shift+E.
   The extension selects the current block (between blank lines) and runs it.

Using GO as a separator (optional)

Enable in settings:

"runSqlBlock.treatGoAsSeparator": true

Then this treats GO lines as block boundaries:

SELECT * FROM dbo.Customers
GO
SELECT * FROM dbo.Orders

Settings

Open Settings → Extensions → Run SQL Block or edit JSON:

{
  // The command to run after selecting the block.
  // Default works for the official SQL Server (mssql) extension.
  "runSqlBlock.commandToRun": "mssql.runQuery",

  // Limit execution to these languages. Empty = allow all.
  "runSqlBlock.languages": ["sql", "mysql", "postgres", "tsql"],

  // Treat lines containing only 'GO' (case-insensitive) as block separators.
  "runSqlBlock.treatGoAsSeparator": false
}

Keybinding

Default:

{
  "key": "ctrl+shift+e",
  "command": "runSqlBlock.execute",
  "when": "editorTextFocus"
}

Note: VS Code’s Explorer also uses Ctrl+Shift+E, but this binding only applies when the editor has focus, so the Explorer remains usable. Change it if you prefer another key.

Troubleshooting

• “command ‘…’ not found”
  Your DB extension isn’t installed/active, or the command ID is different.

  • For SQL Server use: "runSqlBlock.commandToRun": "mssql.runQuery".
  • For other databases, set the command ID provided by that extension.

• Nothing runs
  Ensure you’re connected to a database in your DB extension and your cursor is inside a non-empty block.

• Multi-cursor
  Currently operates on the primary cursor/selection.

Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome. I don't have any experience managing a public repository but I'll try my best! Repo: https://github.com/iamhazel/run-sql-block

Please include your VS Code version and the database extension/command you’re using.

License

MIT