PHP Scaffolder

Zero-dependency, single-file PHP admin scaffolding for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB, SQL Server, and CouchDB. Download one file, drop it on your server, done.

database scaffolding tools

Drop one PHP file on any server. Browse, create, edit, and delete records — no framework, no install, no build step.

Browse, insert, edit, and delete records in any MySQL database. No framework, no Composer, no install — drop one file and go.

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  • Browse, insert, edit, and delete across any table
  • Schema-aware — column types, enums, and foreign keys
  • Lockable via config.php — restrict host, database, or table
  • CSRF protection, pagination, and optional query log

The same single-file simplicity as AMPLE — built for PostgreSQL with full support for schemas, sequences, arrays, JSONB, and native Postgres types.

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  • Browse, insert, edit, and delete across schemas and tables
  • Native support for arrays, JSONB, enums, and sequences
  • Lockable via config.php — restrict schema, table, or role
  • CSRF protection, pagination, and optional query log

Browse, insert, edit, and delete records in any SQLite database. No server required, no credentials — just point it at your .db file and go.

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  • Browse, insert, edit, and delete across any table
  • File-based — configure a path to any .db or .sqlite file
  • Schema-aware via PRAGMA — types, constraints, and defaults
  • CSRF protection, pagination, and optional query log

Browse collections, inspect documents, and manage data in any MongoDB database. Built-in JSON editor, BSON-aware, zero framework dependencies.

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  • Browse collections and documents across any database
  • Built-in JSON editor with nested object and array support
  • BSON-aware — ObjectId, Date, and Binary type rendering
  • CSRF protection, pagination, and optional query log

Browse, insert, edit, and delete records in any SQL Server database. Full T-SQL type support — no framework, no Composer, drop one file and go.

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  • Browse, insert, edit, and delete across any database
  • Schema-aware — T-SQL types, identities, and foreign keys
  • Lockable via config.php — restrict database or schema
  • CSRF protection, pagination, and optional query log

More tools coming soon

Browse, insert, edit, and delete documents in any CouchDB database. Pure HTTP — no driver extension required. Drop one file and go.

Coming soon couplescaffolder.com
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What is PHPScaffolder?

PHPScaffolder is a suite of single-file PHP database administration tools — one file per database engine, zero external dependencies, no install step. Drop a PHP file onto any web server running PHP 8.2 or later, open it in a browser, and you have a full database admin interface: table browser, record editor, raw SQL runner, data seeder, and CSV/JSON export. No Composer, no npm, no build pipeline, nothing to configure on the server beyond PHP itself.

Each tool targets a specific database: AMPLE for MySQL and MariaDB, APPLE for PostgreSQL, SIMPLE for SQLite, MAPLE for MongoDB, STAPLE for SQL Server, and COUPLE for CouchDB. All share the same design: if PHP is already running on your server, you already have everything you need.

PHPScaffolder is a browser-based tool for viewing and editing your database. You get one small PHP file — upload it to your server, open it in a browser, and you have a full interface for your data: browse rows, add records, edit values, and delete entries. No installation process, no extra software, nothing to configure.

Each tool in the family targets one database: AMPLE for MySQL, APPLE for PostgreSQL, SIMPLE for SQLite, MAPLE for MongoDB, STAPLE for SQL Server, and COUPLE for CouchDB. Download the one that matches your database — that is the only file you need.

A lightweight alternative to phpMyAdmin and Adminer

phpMyAdmin is the default answer for browser-based MySQL administration, but it ships as a large multi-file application with its own configuration, session database, and server-level setup. Adminer reduces that to a single file but packs support for every major database into one download regardless of what you are actually using.

PHPScaffolder takes a different approach: one focused tool per database. AMPLE handles MySQL. APPLE handles PostgreSQL. That constraint keeps each file small, fast, and free of dead code paths for databases you are not using. The interface is built for developers working on a specific project — not for DBAs managing a fleet of heterogeneous servers.

If you need a self-hosted PHP database admin panel you can drop into a project directory, lock to a single table with a config.php file, and deploy over SFTP in thirty seconds, PHPScaffolder is built for that workflow.

phpMyAdmin is the most common tool for managing a MySQL database through a browser, but it is a full application — multiple files, its own configuration, and sometimes a setup database just to run. Adminer simplifies that down to a single file, but bundles support for every database type whether you use them or not.

PHPScaffolder takes a different approach: one file per database. Download AMPLE for MySQL and you get exactly a MySQL tool — nothing else included. Each file is small, fast, and built specifically for the database you are actually using.

If you need a database admin panel you can drop into a project, lock to one table, and hand off to a client or a colleague, PHPScaffolder is built for exactly that.

Who uses PHPScaffolder?

  • Freelancers and agencies building client sites often need a quick way to let clients view or edit specific tables without exposing a general-purpose admin panel. Lock the tool to a single table via config.php and hand it off with confidence.
  • Backend developers prototyping a new schema reach for it when they want to inspect live data and test inserts without writing a temporary UI or opening a separate desktop database client. Download the file, drop it next to your application, and delete it when you are done.
  • Internal tooling teams use it as a lightweight read-only data browser. Set 'readonly' => true in config.php and every write action disappears from the interface.
  • PHP developers on shared hosting who lack SSH access or a desktop client can use it as a portable MySQL or SQLite browser that works with whatever web server the host already provides.
  • Open-source projects that ship a PHP application sometimes bundle a scaffolding tool to give operators a safe way to inspect and repair data without dropping to raw SQL at the command line.
  • Building a website and need to inspect your data, insert test rows, or fix a value without writing a script to do it.
  • Working with clients who need occasional access to their own data — lock the tool to a single table so they can make changes without seeing anything else.
  • On shared hosting without SSH access, where your host's built-in database tool is too limited for practical work.
  • Need something temporary — drop the file in, do the work, delete it. Nothing to uninstall.
  • Want read-only access — set one config option and every write button disappears from the interface.

Which tool do I need?

Database Tool Status PHP requirement
MySQL / MariaDB AMPLE Scaffolder Available pdo_mysql — bundled with most PHP installs
PostgreSQL APPLE Scaffolder Available pdo_pgsql
SQLite SIMPLE Scaffolder Available pdo_sqlite — bundled with most PHP installs
MongoDB MAPLE Scaffolder In development ext-mongodb via PECL
SQL Server / Azure SQL STAPLE Scaffolder Available pdo_sqlsrv — Microsoft PHP Driver for SQL Server
CouchDB COUPLE Scaffolder Coming soon None — pure HTTP, no extension required

What can you do with it?

Every tool in the suite shares the same core feature set:

  • Browse and search — paginated table listing with per-column sort and a full-text search bar across all text columns
  • Insert, edit, and delete — full CRUD with inputs appropriate to each column type: date pickers, checkboxes for booleans, dropdowns for enums and foreign keys, file upload fields
  • Bulk delete — select multiple rows and delete them in a single action
  • Inline cell editing — click any cell to edit it in place without loading a full edit form
  • Query builder — add per-column filter conditions with operators, conjunctions, and type-aware value inputs, no SQL required
  • Raw SQL editor — an inline SQL editor with syntax highlighting, Ctrl+Enter to run, and a per-request query log
  • Export — download the current view as CSV or JSON, with active filters and column selections applied
  • Data seeder — generate realistic test records with type-aware fake values for names, emails, dates, numbers, and UUIDs
  • Schema view — inspect column types, defaults, nullable flags, indexes, and foreign key relationships
  • Column rules — per-column configuration for labels, hints, readonly or hidden fields, foreign key dropdowns, multi-select lists, file uploads, and auto-generated UIDs
  • CSRF protection — every write action is validated with a server-side token; all values are bound via prepared statements

The main purpose is simple: look at your database, make changes, and get data out when you need it.

  • See your data — page through rows in any table, sort by column, and search without writing a query
  • Add, edit, and delete records — forms with the right input for each field type: date pickers, checkboxes, option dropdowns
  • Edit in place — click any cell to change a value without loading a full edit page
  • Filter without SQL — add conditions like "show only active records" using menus and inputs; no query language required
  • Write raw SQL — if you know SQL, there is a full editor with syntax highlighting and a log of every query that ran
  • Export your data — download what you are looking at as CSV or JSON, with any filters you have applied
  • Fill tables with test data — generate realistic fake names, emails, dates, and numbers for testing
  • See your schema — check column types, which fields are required, and how tables relate to each other
  • Protect specific fields — mark columns as read-only or hidden so they cannot be changed accidentally

Requirements and deployment

All PHPScaffolder tools require PHP 8.2 or later with the PDO extension and the driver for your target database. Beyond that, any web server that can run PHP will work — Apache, Nginx, Caddy, or the PHP built-in development server. No database is required for the tool itself; it connects to yours.

Deployment is copying one file. There is no package manager to run, no environment to configure, and nothing to keep updated separately. When you no longer need the interface, delete the file.

Tools are licensed under the Elastic License 2.0. Self-hosting for internal use and modification for your own projects are permitted. Commercial redistribution and offering the tools as a hosted service require a separate agreement.

You need a web server running PHP 8.2 or newer. Most shared hosting plans already include this — if your site runs PHP, you are ready. There is nothing to install on the server itself.

To get started: download the file, upload it to your server using your host's file manager, FTP, or however you normally move files, then open the URL in a browser and enter your database connection details. The whole process takes about thirty seconds.

When you are done with it, delete the file. That is the complete uninstall process. Tools are free to use for personal and internal projects under the Elastic License 2.0.