# Explore and query

Use [SQL Explorer](/docs/lakehouse/query/sql-explorer.md) to inspect tables and run a first query. Use [Ask Altertable](/docs/agents/ask.md) when you want to explore a question with an agent.

Queries run with [DuckDB SQL](/docs/lakehouse/sql-engine.md). Qualify tables as `catalog.schema.table` to join managed tables with connected sources.

For application code, use the [HTTP API or SDK](/docs/lakehouse/query/http-api.md). For terminal workflows, use the [CLI](/docs/lakehouse/clients/cli.md). To connect a BI tool, choose a [SQL client interface](/docs/lakehouse/clients.md).

- [SQL Explorer](/docs/lakehouse/query/sql-explorer.md): Explore Altertable data with SQL, browse catalogs, run DuckDB-powered queries, and inspect results from your lakehouse.
- [Query from an application](/docs/lakehouse/query/http-api.md): Run SQL from application code with an Altertable SDK or HTTP request, consume streamed results, and verify authentication before querying tables.
- [Object Storage](/docs/lakehouse/query/object-storage.md): Query files and Iceberg datasets in S3-compatible object storage from Altertable without moving data into another system.
- [DuckDB](/docs/lakehouse/query/duckdb.md): Query Altertable databases from DuckDB with the community extension and work with lakehouse data from local SQL workflows.
- [Pandas, Polars, and Ibis](/docs/lakehouse/query/pandas-polars-ibis.md): Query Altertable tables with Pandas, Polars, or Ibis through the DuckDB extension or the Python lakehouse client's Ibis backend.