# Connect with Metabase

Metabase is an open-source business intelligence and data visualization platform. Use Metabase with SingleStore to explore data, create questions, build dashboards, and run analytics on SingleStore databases.

## Prerequisites

* A self-hosted Metabase instance, running on a local host or in a Docker container, with the required permissions.
* An active SingleStore cluster.
* Download the latest SingleStore Metabase driver JAR file (`singlestore.metabase-driver.jar`) from the [SingleStore driver for Metabase](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/metabase/releases) GitHub repository.

## Connect Metabase to SingleStore

> **📝 Note**: These connection configuration steps only apply to self-hosted Metabase deployments. Metabase Cloud does not support community drivers.

To configure a SingleStore database connection in Metabase:

1. Copy the `singlestore.metabase-driver.jar` file to the **plugins** directory on the host or container where Metabase is running. By default, Metabase uses the **plugins** directory under its working directory. To use a custom directory, set the `MB_PLUGINS_DIR` environment variable to the custom directory path and then copy the file to this directory.

2. Restart Metabase. Metabase loads drivers during startup.

   1. For a Docker container, run the following command:
      ```shell
      docker restart <container_name>
      ```

   2. For a non-Docker installation, restart the Metabase process.

3. Confirm that the SingleStore driver is now loaded in Metabase.

   1. Sign in to Metabase, and select **Databases > Add a database**.

   2. Confirm that **SingleStore** appears in the **Database type** list, and select it.

   3. Under **Display name**, enter a name for the connection. For example, **SingleStore**.

4. Add the SingleStore database. Specify the following to configure the SingleStore database connection.
   | Field         | Description                                          |
   | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
   | Host          | Hostname or IP address of theSingleStorecluster.     |
   | Port          | Port of theSingleStorecluster. The default is`3306`. |
   | Database Name | Name of theSingleStoredatabase to connect with.      |
   | Username      | Username of theSingleStoredatabase user.             |
   | Password      | Password for theSingleStoredatabase user.            |
   (Optional) If the connection requires SSL or an SSH tunnel, configure the corresponding options in the Metabase connection settings. For additional options, expand the **Show advanced options** section and specify the connection options in JDBC-compatible connection string format, for example `connectTimeout=10000&socketTimeout=60000`.

5. Select **Save** to save the database connection. Wait until Metabase synchronizes the database schema and discovers all the tables in the specified database.

The SingleStore connection is now configured in Metabase.

## Browse SingleStore Data

To verify the connection and browse the SingleStore data:

1. Select **New > Question**.

2. Under **Data**, select the **SingleStore** connection.

3. Confirm that the expected schemas and tables are available, and then select the required table(s).

4. Create a question or run a native SQL query to verify that Metabase can read data from SingleStore.

## Update the SingleStore Database Connection Configuration

To update the SingleStore database connection configuration:

1. On the **Metabase Admin** page, select **Databases > SingleStore** (name of the connection).

2. Under **Connection & sync**, select **Edit connection details**.

3. On the **Edit connection details** page, update the required connection configuration options.

4. Select **Save changes** to update the connection configuration.

The SingleStore database connection is now updated.

## Troubleshooting

* If SingleStore does not appear in the database list:

  * Confirm that the driver JAR is in the Metabase plugins directory, on the same host, or in the same container where Metabase runs.
  * Restart Metabase after copying the JAR.
* If Metabase cannot connect to SingleStore:

  * Verify the connection configuration for the SingleStore database.
  * Confirm that the Metabase host can reach the SingleStore endpoint over the network.
  * Confirm that the SingleStore database user has the required permissions to connect to the database and read the database and tables.
  * If SingleStore is configured to accept only encrypted connections or an SSH tunnel, configure these options in the Metabase database connection settings.
* If tables do not appear after the connection succeeds:

  * Wait for the initial schema synchronization to finish.
  * Confirm that the selected database contains the expected tables.
  * Confirm that the configured SingleStore user has permission to view the database and tables.
  * Check the Metabase logs for synchronization errors.

## Related Topics

* [SingleStore Driver for Metabase](https://github.com/singlestore-labs/metabase) GitHub Repository
* [Metabase Documentation](https://www.metabase.com/docs/latest/)

***

Modified at: September 25, 2026

Source: [/db/v9.1/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-metabase/](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/query-data/connect-with-analytics-and-bi-tools/connect-with-metabase/)

(An index of the documentation is available at /llms.txt)