Sleek

Sleek is a focused SQL formatter for developers who want repeatable query layout in a terminal or VS Code. It is best suited to individuals and teams standardizing everyday SQL across common database dialects. Its free, open-source distribution keeps adoption simple, while the lack of custom rules makes it a poor fit for teams that need lint policies beyond formatting.

Overview

Sleek formats SQL for readability and consistent presentation across PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle. Automatic fixes handle routine cleanup, but the tool does not provide custom rules, so it cannot encode organization-specific checks or act as a broader SQL quality gate. The MIT License is useful for projects that prefer permissive open-source software.

Key features

Configurable formatting

You can configure indentation, keyword casing, and blank lines between queries. Those controls cover the most visible aspects of query style and are enough for teams seeking a shared baseline without maintaining a large rule set. They do not provide the fine-grained policy controls expected from a linter with custom rules.

Batch and validation workflows

Glob patterns let one invocation format multiple files, which is practical for repositories with many SQL scripts. The --check flag reports whether files already match the formatter without modifying them, making it suitable for validation steps where a check should fail or pass without rewriting source. Sleek also accepts file paths as arguments and reads standard input when no paths are supplied, so it works with both direct file processing and piped SQL.

VS Code integration

The VS Code extension formats complete documents and selected text, checks formatting, and can format on save or paste. It can download the Sleek command-line tool automatically when it cannot find one, reducing manual setup for VS Code users. Developers who work outside VS Code will rely on the CLI instead.

Installation and implementation

Compiled binaries are provided through GitHub Releases, with users choosing a build that matches their operating system and architecture. Cargo installation is another route but requires Rust. Building the v0.4.0 release requires Rust 1.85 or later. The repository identifies the sqlformat crate as the component performing formatting.

Pricing

Sleek has one plan: Sleek costs free and includes an open-source SQL formatter under the MIT License. There is no paid tier, seat charge, usage quota, or free-trial period to manage. That makes it suitable for individual developers and teams that can adopt a shared command-line or editor workflow without a software budget. The trade-off is scope rather than price: the free plan does not add custom rules or other policy-oriented capabilities.

Platforms

Sleek is offered as a command-line application for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with operating-system- and architecture-matched release binaries. A VS Code extension provides the editor workflow on supported VS Code installations. Cargo is available for users who prefer to build or install through Rust tooling.

Who it's for

Sleek fits developers maintaining SQL in repositories, migration files, scripts, or editor buffers who want consistent indentation and casing across the six supported dialects. It is particularly useful when formatting must cover many files or when a pipeline needs a non-modifying check. VS Code users gain document, selection, save, and paste actions with automatic CLI acquisition.

Look elsewhere if your team needs custom SQL rules, dialect coverage beyond those six, or a dedicated linting system that evaluates more than presentation. Cargo-based installation also adds a Rust requirement for users who cannot use the supplied binaries.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad common-dialect coverage: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle are supported.
• Useful repository workflows: glob patterns handle multiple files, while --check verifies formatting without changing them.
• Flexible input: file arguments and standard-input support suit both scripts and pipelines.
• Practical VS Code extension: document and selection formatting, checks, and optional save or paste formatting are included.
• No license cost: the 0.00 USD plan and MIT License remove subscription and redistribution hurdles.

Cons

• No custom rules: teams cannot encode organization-specific formatting policies.
• Formatter scope only: automatic fixes address style, not broader SQL linting or quality analysis.
• Rust build dependency: Cargo installation requires Rust, and v0.4.0 requires Rust 1.85 or later.
• Editor coverage is concentrated: the documented editor integration is for VS Code rather than a wider set of IDEs.

Alternatives

SQL Formatter is a better choice when a browser demo or web access matters alongside extension, Linux, macOS, and Windows support; it is also free and MIT licensed.

Choose SQLCheck instead for a free command-line option on Linux, macOS, and Windows when its SQL-checking focus is preferable.

Sqruff suits users seeking a free tool with extension, web, self-hosted, and desktop platform options.

Pick JSQLFormatter when Linux, macOS, Windows, or self-hosted deployment is the deciding requirement.

Poor SQL is an alternative for online or offline formatting with an SSMS/Visual Studio plugin and command-line access.

Choose SQLFluff when a free, MIT-licensed open-source SQL linter is more appropriate than a formatter alone.

sqlfmt is preferable when a browser-based WebAssembly formatter with no installation is the priority.

Pick TSQLLint for free MIT-licensed software installable through dotnet-tool, Homebrew, or NPM.

For a wider directory of formatter and linting choices, see SQL Linters and Formatters.

Verdict

Choose Sleek if you need a no-cost, MIT-licensed formatter for common SQL dialects with both CLI batch processing and a capable VS Code workflow. Its check mode and configurable presentation make routine repository formatting dependable. Look elsewhere when custom rules or full SQL linting are essential, because Sleek deliberately stays focused on formatting.