SQL Plan Visualizer

Understand SQL execution plans without deciphering intimidating text output. Paste an EXPLAIN result or select it in the editor and get an animated execution map with cost, row volume and actionable warnings.

Features

• Automatic detection of MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and SQLite plans.
• MySQL tabular and JSON plans, PostgreSQL JSON and text plans.
• Visual tree with curved edges whose thickness represents row volume.
• Risk coloring for large scans, expensive joins, filters and temporary sorts.
• Clickable recommendations and step-by-step execution animation.
• Zoom, node focus and a responsive light/dark VS Code interface.

Usage

1. Open the Command Palette and run SQL Plan Visualizer: Visualize EXPLAIN.
2. Paste the plan output into the prompt.
3. Alternatively, select a plan in any editor and run SQL Plan Visualizer: Visualize Selection from the context menu.

JSON output is recommended because it preserves the complete hierarchy and metrics.

The extension runs locally and does not send SQL or plans to an external service.

Settings

• sqlPlanVisualizer.animations: Enable execution animations.
• sqlPlanVisualizer.highlightMode: Choose risk, cost or rows as the visual emphasis.
• sqlPlanVisualizer.maxPlanDepth: Maximum depth rendered for very large plans.

Known Issues

Very large plans are better visualized by selecting them in an editor. SQL Server XML support is planned for a future release.

Release Notes

0.1.0

Initial visual plan release with engine detection, parsing, analysis and animated SVG rendering.