User Interface

Introduction

The Snowflake emulator provides a User Interface (UI) via the LocalStack Web Application. The User Interface allows you to:

• Run SQL queries and view results using a Query Editor.
• View detailed request/response traces of API calls.
• Forward queries to a real Snowflake instance using a proxy.

To access the User Interface, you need to start the Snowflake emulator and access the Snowflake tab in your default instance of the LocalStack Web Application. This User Interface is available only when the Snowflake emulator is running. Please note that it does not connect to the real Snowflake cloud environment (except during a proxy connection) or any other external service on the Internet.

Note

Please note that the Snowflake User Interface is still experimental and under active development.

Getting started

This guide is designed for users new to the Snowflake emulator Web UI. Start your Snowflake emulator using the following command:

export LOCALSTACK_AUTH_TOKEN=<your_auth_token>
localstack start --stack snowflake

Navigate to https://app.localstack.cloud/inst/default/snowflake to access the User Interface.

Run SQL queries

The User Interface provides a SQL Worksheet tab that allows you to run SQL queries and view results. The editor includes SQL syntax highlighting and autocomplete to help you write queries faster.

Use the Local Resources panel on the right to explore available databases, schemas, tables, and columns in a hierarchical view.

You can run the current statement by placing your cursor inside it, or execute only a selected portion of SQL from the editor.

View Query History

The User Interface provides a Query History tab that displays recently executed queries along with their execution details.

Each entry includes metadata such as the query ID, SQL text, execution status, duration, rows returned, and the database, schema, and warehouse used during execution.

You can search and filter the query history to quickly locate queries by text, execution status, or time range.

Proxy to a real Snowflake instance

You can forward queries from the Snowflake emulator to a real Snowflake instance using a proxy.

The User Interface provides a Proxy tab that allows you to enter your Snowflake account credentials. Click on the Save button to save the credentials. You can now run queries in the Query Editor, and they will be forwarded to the real Snowflake instance.

Danger

Be careful when operating the proxy, as it can incur costs and access data in your real Snowflake account. For security reasons, please make sure to use scoped credentials with the least set of required permissions (ideally read-only). Only run the proxy against test/staging environments, and never against a production database.