# SQL and BI clients

Start with the [CLI](/docs/lakehouse/clients/cli.md) for a first terminal query. Choose a protocol adapter when connecting an existing SQL client or BI tool.

The PostgreSQL adapter provides protocol compatibility. Queries still execute with [DuckDB SQL](/docs/lakehouse/sql-engine.md); PostgreSQL protocol support does not imply that every PostgreSQL function or extension is available.

- [Altertable CLI](/docs/lakehouse/clients/cli.md): Install the Altertable CLI, log in to your environment, and verify your first query. Find advanced commands and options in the CLI reference.
- [Postgres](/docs/lakehouse/clients/postgres.md): Connect to Altertable with the Postgres wire protocol so SQL clients and BI tools can query governed lakehouse data.
- [Arrow Flight SQL](/docs/lakehouse/clients/arrow-flight-sql.md): High-performance streaming analytics with Arrow Flight SQL. Built on Apache Arrow, ideal for dbt, Airbyte, and large datasets.
- [Hex](/docs/lakehouse/clients/hex.md): Connect Hex to Altertable for collaborative analysis with SQL, Python, and R. Access all connected data sources via federated queries.
- [Metabase](/docs/lakehouse/clients/metabase.md): Connect Metabase to Altertable with Arrow Flight SQL or the Postgres adapter to query governed lakehouse data in BI dashboards.
- [Grafana availability](/docs/lakehouse/clients/grafana.md): Check the availability of the Altertable Grafana data source and find supported ways to explore lakehouse data, OpenTelemetry logs, and traces.