MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench is Oracle's graphical client for MySQL database development, administration and data modeling. It provides a SQL editor, result grids, connection management, schema inspection, visual entity-relationship modeling and forward or reverse engineering. Administration tools help manage users, inspect server status and export or import data when the connected account has the required privileges.

Client and server compatibility

Workbench is not MySQL Server. Installing this app does not create a running database or provide a database account. Connect to an existing local or remote MySQL server using its host, port, credentials and appropriate network access. Oracle documents full Workbench support for MySQL Server8.0; it may connect to8.4 and later, including9.x, but some Workbench features may not function with those versions. Do not assume that a successful connection establishes complete administration or modeling compatibility.

Choose a connection method such as TCP/IP or TCP/IP over SSH as appropriate, and configure TLS certificates and verification according to the server's policy. SSH tunneling requires an accessible SSH host and its separate credentials. Firewall rules, authentication settings and database privileges can limit functionality. Use the least-privileged database account suitable for the task rather than assuming every connection should be root.

Installation and Mac support

The Community cask supplies an architecture-specific DMG. The current Apple Silicon ARM64 download is348,844,474 bytes; Intel x86-64 uses a separate download. Copy MySQLWorkbench.app from the DMG to Applications. Oracle's published platform table lists macOS14 and15 for the8.0 line and recommends8GB RAM, with4GB minimum. The Mac installation manual says formal support follows the latest macOS platform listing, so Homebrew availability on another macOS release is not an Oracle support guarantee.

Homebrew retains historical downloads for Big Sur and Monterey; those are older Workbench versions rather than8.0.47. The Big Sur variant is Intel-only and declares a Rosetta caveat for Apple Silicon. This cask declares no package dependencies or conflicts and does not install MySQL Server. Some server-administration actions on macOS require sudo privileges in addition to the database permissions; ordinary SQL editing does not justify granting every available system privilege.

Working safely

Use the SQL editor to inspect schemas and run queries, or work on a model without connecting to a live server. SQL statements, result-grid edits, imports and forward engineering can modify or delete real server data. Confirm the selected connection and schema before executing changes and maintain appropriate server backups. A saved Workbench model or connection profile is not a backup of the live database. Restoring a dump can overwrite existing data, depending on the chosen operation.

Workbench offers migration workflows, including the HeatWave Migration Assistant introduced in8.0.45. That assistant targets MySQL HeatWave in Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and requires suitable cloud configuration, access and service arrangements; the desktop download does not include free cloud database hosting.

Community and commercial licensing

This package is the free MySQL Workbench Community edition, licensed under GPLv2. Oracle also offers commercial editions and enterprise tools under separate MySQL commercial arrangements; downloading Community does not grant enterprise-only functionality or paid support. No paid Workbench account is required for local modeling. Oracle's website may offer sign-in or account registration during download, but Community downloads can be started using its no-thanks download option. Database, SSH and OCI accounts are separate from an Oracle website download account.

Official sources: Workbench overview, Manual introduction and compatibility, Supported platforms, Mac installation, Edition comparison, Release notes.