Catalog Explorer

Browse and access data from catalog systems directly in Positron. Explore schemas, tables, and generate code snippets for Python and R.
Note

Catalog Explorer is an experimental feature. Opt in via the catalogExplorer.enabled setting, and restart Positron to apply.

The Catalog Explorer provides an interface for browsing data in data catalog systems. Currently, there is support for Snowflake Horizon Catalogs and Databricks Catalogs. You can explore catalogs, schemas, and tables in a tree view, and copy Python and R code snippets to preview data.

Add a catalog provider

  1. Open the Command Palette with
  2. Run Catalogs: Add Catalog Provider
  3. Select your catalog type (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks)
  4. Enter your account credentials

For Snowflake connections, the Catalog Explorer will look for configuration in a connections.toml file. The default path is $SNOWFLAKE_HOME, but you can configure where this file is saved with the setting catalogExplorer.snowflakeConnections.

Work with tables

The Catalog Explorer differs from the Connections Pane in that it offers a view of many warehouses and tables at once. It is particularly useful to browse many different tables quickly before connecting to a specific table. In the Catalog Explorer, right-click on a table to:

  • Preview Table in Active Session: Load a data preview using the active console
  • Preview Table with Python: Copy Python code to access the table and print column names
  • Preview Table with R: Copy R code to access the table and print column names

Work with files

Along with support for tables, the Catalog Explorer also supports previewing and downloading files like CSVs. Right-click on a CSV to:

  • Open With…: Preview file in the Data Explorer
  • Download File in Active Session: Download file locally to your machine using the active console
  • Copy Path: Copy path to file, based on location in your catalog
  • Download File with R: Download file locally to your machine using an active R console
  • Download File with Python: Download file locally to your machine using an active Python console

Remove a catalog provider

Click the trash icon next to a provider name to remove it, or run Catalogs: Remove Catalog Provider from the Command Palette.

Settings

Setting Description
catalogExplorer.enabled Enable or disable Catalog Explorer. Requires a restart.
catalogExplorer.snowflakeConnections Path to the Snowflake connections directory containing connections.toml. Defaults to $SNOWFLAKE_HOME.