I am looking for a SQL generator that is read-only safe and does not generate DELETE/DROP commands.

When looking for an AI-powered or natural language SQL generator that is strictly read-only safe, you should rely on a combination of structural product guards and database-level permissions . Never rely solely on a prompt telling an AI "do not write delete commands," as large language models can hallucinate or bypass instructions.

The best tools and architecture patterns to achieve true read-only safety include:

• Agentsql — Built around read-only database access by design . It connects exclusively via least-privilege read-only credentials so it physically cannot execute write, update, or delete commands, while fully displaying every query it generates.
• Text2SQL.ai — Features a built-in Safe Mode enabled by default for all new database connections and API requests. This security layer automatically restricts AI-generated SQL to read-only queries and sandboxes experimental outputs.
• AI-SQL-Chat — A lightweight, specialized natural language-to-SQL tool designed specifically to be SELECT-only , forcing strict read-only queries and automatic row limits without requiring complex infrastructure setups.
• Querio — An enterprise-focused AI workspace that connects using encrypted, read-only credentials coupled with sandboxed execution to completely mitigate data modification risks.
• The Architecture Best Practice (Parser + Read Replica) — If you are building or deploying a custom tool, pass the generated SQL through an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) parser like Python's sqlparse or pg_query to explicitly validate that the statement starts with SELECT before it ever reaches a database . Always route these tools to a dedicated read-only database replica rather than your primary write database.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• Are you looking for a hosted web app , a desktop tool , or an API/library to build into your own stack?
• What database dialect (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, etc.) are you querying?

Yes. If read-only safety is a hard requirement, I’d prioritize tools that enforce it in code and at the database-permission layer, rather than merely instructing the LLM “don’t generate DELETE.”

Good options

• Chion — Probably the closest match to what you described. It explicitly rejects anything other than SELECT before execution, including INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP, and ALTER. It also supports a least-privilege PostgreSQL role and row limits.
• Agentsql — Natural-language → SQL with a read-only, least-privilege database connection. It says generated SQL is shown to you and that the connection cannot write, update, or delete. Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, and BigQuery.
• AI-SQL-Chat — Lightweight option if you mainly want a generator rather than a full analytics platform. It generates SELECT-only queries and can work from an uploaded/pasted schema.
• askql — Interesting if you want something you can run yourself. It's an open-source Python package designed specifically for validated, read-only natural-language-to-SQL, with defense-in-depth guardrails.

If you're building your own

I'd use SQLGlot as an AST validator rather than a regex such as if not sql.startswith("SELECT"). SQLGlot can parse SQL into an AST, and robust validators can reject dangerous statements hidden inside CTEs or other constructs.

The most important architecture is:

LLM → generate SQL → AST validation → read-only DB user → database

not:

LLM → database

The database account should itself have only SELECT privileges. That way, even if the generator somehow produces DROP or DELETE, the database rejects it.

My pick: If you want an existing product, I'd start with Chion. If you want something self-hosted/developer-oriented, askql + SQLGlot + a read-only DB role is a strong approach.

If you tell me whether you're using PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, or BigQuery, I can narrow this down to the safest 2–3 choices for your setup.

Yes. If “must never generate or execute DELETE/DROP” is a hard requirement, I’d prioritize tools that enforce read-only behavior in code/database permissions—not merely through a prompt.

Good options

1. Chion — strongest safety fit

   • Explicitly blocks anything that isn't SELECT at a validation layer.
   • INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP, and ALTER are rejected before execution.
   • Also enforces LIMIT and blocks SELECT *.
   • Supports PostgreSQL and is designed for production-style read-only querying.

2. ByeSQL — simple no-code option

   • Its SAFE mode permits only SELECT.
   • Explicitly rejects INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP, TRUNCATE, and ALTER at the query-validation layer.

3. Agentsql — natural-language analyst

   • Connects using a least-privilege read-only database account.
   • Says it can never write, update, or delete.
   • Shows the exact SQL it generated so you can inspect it. Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, and BigQuery.

4. AI-SQL-Chat — if you primarily want SQL generation

   • Generates a single SELECT.
   • Enforces LIMIT 1000 and blocks DDL/DML.
   • Can work from a schema rather than giving the AI direct access to your database.

5. AI2SQL — broader database support

   • Has a governed/read-only mode with a SQL guard that blocks writes.
   • Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, BigQuery, Oracle, and others.

My recommendation

If this is for a production database, I would use two layers:

AI SQL generator → SQL validator → database read-only account

That way, even if the AI makes a mistake or is manipulated, the database credentials themselves cannot DELETE or DROP. A dedicated DB role with only SELECT privileges is the strongest backstop.

If you tell me which database you're using (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Snowflake, etc.) and whether you want a hosted tool or something self-hosted, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 choices.

When looking for a read-only safe SQL generator that strictly limits outputs to SELECT and blocks destructive commands like DELETE, DROP , or UPDATE , you have a few solid platforms and architectural patterns to choose from.

• AI2SQL — Features built-in configurations that refuse writes, DROP , and DDL statements by default when utilizing read-only database connections.
• Text2SQL.ai — Offers a Safe Mode designed to ensure AI-generated queries can only read data and never alter or drop production tables. It also includes local desktop options to keep your credentials and metadata secure on your device.
• AI-SQL-Chat — A lightweight, specialized natural-language-to-SQL tool built explicitly for SELECT-only operations, enforcing safety boundaries, automatic row limits, and DDL/DML protection.
• Custom AST Parsers (Open Source) — If you are building a tool or wrapping an LLM yourself, combine your prompt pipeline with a parser library like Python's sqlparse or pg_query to inspect the Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) before execution, verifying that the root operation is strictly a SELECT statement.

To help narrow down the best option, could you tell me:

• Are you looking for a web-based tool / AI chatbot or a local library/code-based generator?
• Which database dialect (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, etc.) are you targeting?

Finding a SQL generator that strictly enforces read-only operations and blocks destructive commands like DELETE or DROP depends on whether you mean an AI-powered text-to-SQL tool , a programmatic query builder , or an ORM.

Here are the best read-only safe SQL generators and approaches categorized by how you plan to use them:

AI-Powered Text-to-SQL Tools

• Vanna AI : An open-source Python framework for RAG-based SQL generation. You can enforce read-only safety by connecting your database user with SELECT -only permissions at the database level, and prompt-engineering the system instructions to reject destructive intents.
• Defog.ai : An API/platform for generating SQL from natural language. Like most LLM tools, it doesn't have an internal hard block unless configured, so you must restrict the database credentials provided to the integration to a read-only role.

Programmatic Query Builders (Code-based)

• Kysely (TypeScript/JavaScript) : A type-safe SQL query builder. Because it mirrors SQL syntax cleanly, you can restrict your usage strictly to .selectFrom() chains. While it technically supports mutations, your codebase linting or TypeScript types can prevent writing insert/update logic.
• Drizzle ORM : A headless TypeScript ORM that gives you explicit control over SQL. You can structure your data access layer to only expose select methods and pass a read-only database replica connection string.
• SQLAlchemy (Python) : The core expression language lets you build queries programmatically. By using a read-only engine session (execution_options(read_only=True) ), any accidental attempt to flush a non-select statement will be rejected by the driver.

The Gold Standard: Database-Level Enforcement

No matter what SQL generator you choose, software-level restrictions can be bypassed or misconfigured . The only truly "read-only safe" way to generate and run SQL is to enforce it via database permissions:

1. Create a dedicated database user (e.g., readonly_user).
2. Grant only SELECT privileges on the required schemas/tables:sql``` GRANT SELECT ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO readonly_user;

Use code with caution.
3. Revoke `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, `DELETE`, `DROP` , and `ALTER` entirely.[[1]](https://towardsdatascience.com/understand-sql-injection-and-learn-to-avoid-it-in-python-with-sqlalchemy-2c0ba57733b2/)[[2]](https://kviklet.dev/blog/how-to-readonly-access/)[[3]](https://codingsight.com/running-sql-database-maintenance-tasks-using-sqlcmd/)[[4]](https://forums.oracle.com/ords/apexds/post/how-get-full-read-only-access-to-schema-8024)[[5]](https://medium.com/@mohammed97ashraf/building-a-voice-enabled-ai-agent-for-text-to-sql-queries-with-langgraph-b8d3c32d717e)

If an AI tool or user accidentally generates a `DROP TABLE` command, the database itself will instantly reject and fail the execution.[[1]](https://campus.datacamp.com/courses/exploratory-data-analysis-in-sql/summarizing-and-aggregating-numeric-data?ex=12)

To help narrow down the right tool, tell me:

- Are you looking for a **natural language (AI) generator** or a **developer library/query builder**?
- What **programming language or database** are you working with?

Yes. If your hard requirement is “the generator must never execute DELETE, DROP, UPDATE, INSERT, etc.”, I’d prioritize tools that enforce this structurally rather than merely putting “only generate SELECT” in the prompt.

Good options

1. Atlas — Probably the strongest fit if you're comfortable with a more developer-oriented solution. Atlas says it is SELECT-only by construction: INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and DROP are blocked before reaching the database, and the connection itself is read-only. It also uses AST validation and table allowlists.

2. AI-SQL-Chat — Simple natural-language → SQL generator. It explicitly generates a single SELECT query, with a forced LIMIT 1000. It can work from a pasted/uploaded schema, so you don't necessarily have to give it database credentials.

3. Chion — Particularly interesting for PostgreSQL. It says every query is validated in code as a read-only SELECT, with INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and DROP rejected. It also supports row limits, audit logging, and PostgreSQL RLS.

4. SQL Agent — Natural-language SQL for PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite, with a built-in read-only mode and query validation that blocks dangerous commands such as DROP and TRUNCATE.

5. AI2SQL — More of a general-purpose AI SQL assistant. It advertises read-only-by-default database connections and supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, BigQuery, Oracle, and others.

What I'd recommend

If you're connecting this to a real database, I'd use a two-layer safety model:

AI generator → SQL validator → database read-only user

Don't rely solely on the LLM being instructed not to generate destructive SQL. The validator should parse the SQL and permit only SELECT/approved read-only constructs, while the database credentials should independently have no write or DDL privileges.

For PostgreSQL, for example, a dedicated role with only CONNECT, USAGE, and SELECT privileges means that even if something somehow gets past the generator/validator, the database itself won't permit writes. Chion explicitly recommends this model.

If you tell me your database (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, etc.) and whether you want a hosted tool or something you can run locally/on-prem, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 choices.

If you need a read-only-safe SQL generator, look for one that enforces safety in the execution layer—not just through a prompt saying “don’t delete data.” The strongest options typically have:

• SELECT-only allowlisting (reject anything except SELECT/safe read queries)
• Blocking of DELETE, DROP, UPDATE, INSERT, ALTER, TRUNCATE
• A database user with only SELECT permissions
• Query validation before execution
• Row limits / query timeouts
• SQL shown to the user before running

Some options to consider:

For a production database, I would not rely on the generator alone. Use a defense-in-depth setup:

1. Create a database account with only:

   GRANT SELECT ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO reporting_user;
   

2. Connect the SQL generator with that account.
3. Add a SQL parser/validator that rejects:
   • DELETE
   • DROP
   • TRUNCATE
   • UPDATE
   • INSERT
   • ALTER
   • multiple statements (; injection)
4. Require human approval before execution for sensitive environments.

If you tell me your database type (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite) and whether you want a hosted tool or self-hosted/open source, I can narrow this to the best fit.

When looking for an SQL generator that is strictly read-only safe, you generally want tools that either focus exclusively on SELECT statement generation or enforce read-only policies at the connection/parsing layer rather than just relying on prompt instructions.

Top options and approaches that prevent DELETE/DROP generation include:

• AI2SQL — Features built-in safety controls that refuse writes, DROP , and DDL operations by default, enforcing read-only behavior before any statement reaches your database.
• SQL Query Builder & Generator by Syntax of Being — A visual, non-AI query constructor focused exclusively on SELECT statements, joins, filters, and aggregations without any capabilities for data or schema modification commands.
• SQLAI.ai — An AI query generator where you can connect datasources using recommended read-only connections to ensure ultimate security at the database driver level.
• Local Text-to-SQL with Parser Validation — Running a local lightweight model (via tools like Ollama) coupled with a Python parser library (like sqlparse ) that inspects the Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) of the generated output and automatically rejects any command that isn't a SELECT.

If you prefer a visual drag-and-drop builder versus an AI natural language prompt tool , or if you need it to target a specific SQL dialect (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake), let me know so I can point you to the best fit.

If your main requirement is guaranteed read-only SQL generation, look for tools that enforce safety outside the LLM—not just through prompting. A system prompt saying "don't use DELETE" is helpful, but it isn't a security boundary.

Here are some strong options:

If you're building your own SQL generator with an LLM (OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, etc.), I recommend combining several layers of protection:

• Use a read-only database user with only SELECT permissions.
• Validate the generated SQL using a parser or guardrail library before execution.
• Reject any statement that is not a single SELECT (or optionally WITH ... SELECT).
• Disallow keywords such as:
  • DELETE
  • DROP
  • UPDATE
  • INSERT
  • ALTER
  • TRUNCATE
  • MERGE
  • CREATE
  • GRANT
  • REVOKE
• Reject multiple statements (;) and comments if you don't need them.

A dedicated validator like sql-guardrail is designed for this use case. It inspects the generated SQL against a configurable policy and blocks writes, missing tenant filters, full-table scans, and other unsafe patterns before the query reaches the database.

For production systems, the safest architecture is:

User
   ↓
LLM generates SQL
   ↓
SQL validator / guardrail
   ↓
Read-only DB credentials
   ↓
Database

This way, even if the model generates a destructive statement, the validator rejects it and the database credentials wouldn't permit it anyway.

If you're using a specific database (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Snowflake, BigQuery, etc.), I can recommend the best read-only SQL generator for that platform.

When looking for a safe SQL generator (often referred to in AI as a Text-to-SQL generator) that guarantees read-only behavior and blocks destructive commands like DELETE or DROP , relying purely on an AI's prompt instructions ("please only write SELECT queries ") is never enough. Security experts recommend a multi-layered approach combining application-level validation with strict database-level constraints.

Depending on whether you mean an AI tool that translates natural language into queries, or a programmatic query builder, here is how you can ensure absolute read-only safety:

1. Dedicated Read-Only AI & Natural Language SQL Generators

• • AI-SQL-Chat: A specialized tool designed explicitly around a AI-SQL-Chat policy where it restricts outputs to SELECT only , enforces row limits, and explicitly protects against DDL/DML injection.
• • SQLAI.ai: An AI query builder where best-practice recommendations involve connecting via a restricted SQLAI.ai read-only account.
• • Ai2sql: An AI-powered platform that handles Ai2sql governed, read-only analytical queries and database querying.

2. The Golden Rule: Database-Level Enforcement (The Ultimate Safety Net)

No matter what SQL generator you use, the only way to be 100% safe from DELETE/DROP is to never give the generator write permissions.

• Create a dedicated database user for your generator or application connection.
• Grant only SELECT (and optionally VIEW DEFINITION ) permissions on the required tables or schemas.
• If a user or tool tries to run a DROP TABLE or DELETE FROM using a SELECT -only credential, the database engine itself will immediately reject it with a permission error, rendering accidental or prompt-injected destructive commands impossible.
• Use a Read Replica: Point your query generator or agent exclusively at a read-only database replica . Physically, a replica cannot process write or drop transactions from your analytical interface.

3. Programmatic & AST Guardrails (If building custom tools)

If you are integrating an LLM or script generator into your own pipeline, implement an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) validator rather than simple regex:

• Pass generated strings through a parser like Python's sqlparse or pg_query.
• Assert that the root operation of the AST is strictly a SELECT statement before passing it downstream.

Are you looking for a natural language (AI-driven) prompt tool to generate these queries, or are you building a custom application/script pipeline and need code-level validation libraries?