> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://beads.gascity.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# bd sql

> Execute raw SQL against the beads database

Generated from `bd help --doc sql`.

Execute a raw SQL query against the underlying database (SQLite or Dolt).

Useful for debugging, maintenance, and working around bugs in higher-level commands.

Examples:
bd sql 'SELECT COUNT(\*) FROM issues'
bd sql 'SELECT id, title FROM issues WHERE status = "open" LIMIT 5'
bd sql 'DELETE FROM dirty\_issues WHERE issue\_id = "bd-abc123"'
bd sql --csv 'SELECT id, title, status FROM issues'

The query is passed directly to the database. SELECT queries return results as a
table (or JSON/CSV with --json/--csv). Non-SELECT queries (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
report the number of rows affected.

WARNING: Direct database access bypasses the storage layer. Use with caution.

```
bd sql <query> [flags]
```

**Flags:**

```
      --csv   Output results in CSV format
```