Robo 3T: A Simple and Effective MongoDB GUI for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- kristian-congo884u
- Aug 8, 2023
- 17 min read
Introduction
Robo 3T, formerly known as Robomongo, is a free, lightweight, open-source MongoDB GUI tool that allows you to interact with your MongoDB data through a user-friendly interface. Unlike most other MongoDB admin tools, Robo 3T embeds the actual mongo shell in a tabbed interface with access to both the shell command line and the GUI interaction. This way, you can enjoy the power and flexibility of the mongo shell while also taking advantage of the convenience and productivity of a GUI tool.
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What is Robo 3T and why use it?
MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database that stores data in flexible JSON-like documents. It offers high performance, scalability, availability, and rich query capabilities. However, working with MongoDB data can be challenging if you only rely on the command-line interface or the web-based console. You may need a graphical tool that can help you easily connect to your MongoDB servers or clusters, browse and manage your databases, collections, and documents, run queries and commands, view and edit data in different formats, export and import data from files or clipboard, and more.
That's where Robo 3T comes in handy. Robo 3T is a cross-platform MongoDB GUI tool that supports Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is designed to be simple, fast, and snappy. It uses very little of your machine resources and does not require any installation or configuration. You can just download it from its official website, unzip it, and run it. You can also carry it on a USB stick or store it on a cloud drive.
What are the main features of Robo 3T?
Some of the main features of Robo 3T that make it a useful tool for MongoDB developers and administrators are:
Native and cross-platform: Robo 3T is distributed as a native application for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It does not depend on any external libraries or frameworks. It also supports various versions of MongoDB from 2.6 to 4.4.
Shell-centric: Robo 3T embeds the actual mongo shell (v4.2.6) in a tabbed interface. You can access the full power and functionality of the mongo shell within Robo 3T. You can also use real auto-completion, syntax highlighting, error checking, code formatting, keyboard shortcuts, etc.
GUI interaction: In addition to the shell tab, you can also interact with your MongoDB data through the GUI elements of Robo 3T. You can browse and manage your databases, collections, and documents in a tree view. You can view and edit your data in a table, tree, or JSON view. You can also export and import your data from files or clipboard.
Connection management: Robo 3T allows you to create and save multiple connections to your MongoDB servers or clusters. You can configure various connection settings and options, such as authentication, SSL/TLS encryption, SSH tunneling, replica set, read preference, etc. You can also test your connection before saving it.
Free and open-source: Robo 3T is completely free to use for personal or commercial purposes. It is also open-source and licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0. You can access its source code on GitHub and contribute to its development or report issues.
What are the prerequisites for using Robo 3T?
Before you can use Robo 3T, you need to have the following prerequisites:
A MongoDB server or cluster: You need to have a MongoDB server or cluster that you want to connect to and work with. It can be a local or remote server, a standalone or replica set server, a self-managed or cloud-hosted server, etc. You also need to know the connection details of your server or cluster, such as the host name, port number, user name, password, etc.
A compatible operating system: You need to have a Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux machine that can run Robo 3T. The minimum system requirements for each operating system are listed on the Robo 3T download page. For example, for Windows, you need to have Windows 7 or later with at least 1 GB of RAM and 200 MB of disk space.
Download and install Robo 3T
Once you have the prerequisites ready, you can proceed to download and install Robo 3T on your machine. The process is very simple and straightforward.
How to download Robo 3T for your operating system?
To download Robo 3T for your operating system, follow these steps:
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Go to the Robo 3T official website and click on the Download button.
Select your operating system from the drop-down menu and click on the Download button again.
You will be redirected to a page where you can choose between two versions of Robo 3T: Robo 3T Only and Robo 3T with embedded MongoDB shell. The former is a smaller file size but requires you to have the MongoDB shell installed on your machine separately. The latter is a larger file size but includes the MongoDB shell within the Robo 3T package. Choose the version that suits your needs and click on the Download button again.
You will be asked to fill in a short survey form before downloading the file. You can skip this step by clicking on the No thanks link at the bottom of the form.
You will then see a link to download the file. Click on it and save it to your preferred location on your machine.
How to install Robo 3T on your machine?
To install Robo 3T on your machine, follow these steps:
Locate the downloaded file on your machine and unzip it using any file extraction tool.
You will see a folder named robo3t-x.y.z-platform, where x.y.z is the version number and platform is the operating system. Open this folder and find the executable file named robo3t.exe (for Windows), robo3t.app (for Mac OS X), or robo3t (for Linux).
You can run this file directly without any installation or configuration. You can also create a shortcut for it on your desktop or taskbar for easy access.
The first time you run Robo 3T, you will see a welcome screen with some information about the tool. Click on the X button at the top right corner to close it.
You will also see the main window of Robo 3T with a toolbar, a sidebar, and a workspace. The toolbar contains buttons for creating, editing, and deleting connections, opening and closing tabs, running queries and commands, exporting and importing data, etc. The sidebar shows the list of connections and the databases, collections, and documents under each connection. The workspace shows the tabs for each connection or query.
Connect to MongoDB with Robo 3T
After you have installed Robo 3T on your machine, you can start connecting to your MongoDB servers or clusters and working with your data. In this section, I will show you how to create a new connection to a MongoDB server or cluster, configure the connection settings and options, and test and save the connection.
How to create a new connection to a MongoDB server or cluster?
To create a new connection to a MongoDB server or cluster, follow these steps:
Click on the Create button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+N on your keyboard. You will see a dialog box for creating a new connection.
Enter a name for your connection in the Name field. This name will be displayed in the sidebar and the tabs.
Enter the host name or IP address of your MongoDB server or cluster in the Address field. If you are connecting to a replica set, you can enter multiple host names or IP addresses separated by commas.
Enter the port number of your MongoDB server or cluster in the Port field. The default port number for MongoDB is 27017. If you are connecting to a replica set, you can enter multiple port numbers separated by commas.
If your MongoDB server or cluster requires authentication, check the Perform authentication box and enter your user name, password, database name, and authentication mechanism in the corresponding fields.
If your MongoDB server or cluster supports SSL/TLS encryption, check the Use SSL protocol box and select the SSL mode from the drop-down menu. You can also choose whether to validate the server certificate or not.
If you want to connect to your MongoDB server or cluster through an SSH tunnel, check the Use SSH tunnel box and enter your SSH host name, port number, user name, password, and private key file in the corresponding fields.
If you want to customize other connection settings and options, such as replica set name, read preference, socket timeout, etc., click on the Advanced button and adjust them as needed.
How to configure the connection settings and options?
To configure the connection settings and options, follow these steps:
In the dialog box for creating a new connection, click on the Advanced button. You will see a tabbed interface with various settings and options for your connection.
In the Replica Set / Sharded Cluster tab, you can enter the name of your replica set or sharded cluster in the Name field. You can also select the read preference mode from the drop-down menu. The read preference mode determines how Robo 3T will route read operations to the members of your replica set or sharded cluster.
In the Sockets tab, you can adjust the socket timeout values for your connection. The socket timeout values determine how long Robo 3T will wait for a response from your MongoDB server or cluster before giving up. You can also enable or disable TCP keep-alive option for your connection.
In the SSL tab, you can select the SSL mode for your connection from the drop-down menu. The SSL mode determines how Robo 3T will use SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication with your MongoDB server or cluster. You can also choose whether to validate the server certificate or not. You can also specify the certificate authority file, the client certificate file, and the client private key file for your connection.
In the SSH tab, you can enable or disable SSH tunneling for your connection. SSH tunneling allows you to connect to your MongoDB server or cluster through an intermediate SSH server. You can enter the SSH host name, port number, user name, password, and private key file for your connection.
In the Direct Connection tab, you can enable or disable direct connection for your connection. Direct connection allows you to connect to a specific member of your replica set or sharded cluster without going through the primary or mongos. You can enter the host name and port number of the member you want to connect to.
After you have configured the connection settings and options as needed, click on the OK button to save them.
How to test and save the connection?
To test and save the connection, follow these steps:
In the dialog box for creating a new connection, click on the Test button. Robo 3T will try to connect to your MongoDB server or cluster using the connection details you have entered.
If the connection is successful, you will see a green check mark and a message saying Connected successfully. You can also see some information about your MongoDB server or cluster, such as the version, storage engine, authentication mechanism, etc.
If the connection fails, you will see a red cross mark and a message saying Unable to connect. You can also see some details about the error and possible causes. You may need to check your connection details and settings and try again.
After you have tested the connection, click on the Save button to save it. You will see your connection added to the sidebar under MongoDB Connections. You can also double-click on it to open a new tab for it.
Explore MongoDB data with Robo 3T
Now that you have connected to your MongoDB server or cluster with Robo 3T, you can start exploring and working with your data. In this section, I will show you how to browse and manage databases, collections, and documents, run queries and commands in the shell tab, view and edit data in different formats, export and import data from files or clipboard, etc.
How to browse and manage databases, collections, and documents?
To browse and manage databases, collections, and documents, follow these steps:
In the sidebar, expand your connection node and select the database you want to work with. You will see a list of collections under the database node.
To create a new database, right-click on your connection node and select Create Database. Enter a name for your database and click on Create.
To drop an existing database, right-click on the database node and select Drop Database. Confirm your action by clicking on Yes.
To rename an existing database, right-click on the database node and select Rename Database. Enter a new name for your database and click on Rename.
To create a new collection, right-click on the database node and select Create Collection. Enter a name for your collection and click on Create.
To drop an existing collection, right-click on the collection node and select Drop Collection. Confirm your action by clicking on Yes.
To rename an existing collection, right-click on the collection node and select Rename Collection. Enter a new name for your collection and click on Rename.
To view the documents in a collection, double-click on the collection node or right-click on it and select View Documents. You will see a new tab opened for the collection with a table view of its documents.
To insert a new document into a collection, right-click on the collection node or its tab and select Insert Document. You will see a dialog box where you can enter or paste a JSON document. Click on Save to insert it.
To delete an existing document from a collection, right-click on the document row in the table view or its tab and select Delete Document(s). Confirm your action by clicking on Delete.
To update an existing document in a collection, right-click on the document row in the table view or its tab and select Update Document. You will see a dialog box where you can edit or paste a JSON document. Click on Save to update it.
To view the details of a document in a collection, double-click on the document row in the table view or right-click on it and select View Document. You will see a new tab opened for the document with a tree view of its fields and values.
To switch between different views of a document, such as table, tree, or JSON, use the buttons on the toolbar or the menu items under View.
How to run queries and commands in the shell tab?
To run queries and commands in the shell tab, follow these steps:
In the sidebar, select the database you want to work with. You will see a shell tab opened for the database with a prompt.
Type or paste your query or command in the shell tab. You can use any valid MongoDB query or command syntax. You can also use auto-completion, syntax highlighting, error checking, code formatting, keyboard shortcuts, etc.
Press Enter to execute your query or command. You will see the output displayed in the shell tab.
To clear the shell tab, click on the Clear Shell button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+L on your keyboard.
To save the shell tab, click on the Save Shell button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+S on your keyboard. You will be asked to enter a name for your shell tab. You can also choose whether to save it as a file or as a connection.
To open a saved shell tab, click on the Open Shell button on the toolbar or press Ctrl+O on your keyboard. You will see a list of your saved shell tabs. Select the one you want to open and click on Open.
To close a shell tab, click on the X button at the top right corner of the tab or press Ctrl+W on your keyboard.
How to view and edit data in different formats?
To view and edit data in different formats, follow these steps:
In the sidebar, select the collection you want to work with. You will see a table view of its documents.
To switch between different views of the documents, such as table, tree, or JSON, use the buttons on the toolbar or the menu items under View.
In the table view, you can sort, filter, and paginate your data using the buttons and fields on the toolbar. You can also resize, reorder, and hide columns using the column headers.
In the tree view, you can expand and collapse nodes using the plus and minus icons. You can also copy or delete nodes using the right-click menu.
In the JSON view, you can format, validate, and beautify your data using the buttons on the toolbar. You can also copy or delete data using the right-click menu.
To edit data in any view, double-click on a cell, field, or value and make your changes. Press Enter to save your changes or Esc to cancel them.
To undo or redo your changes, use the buttons on the toolbar or the menu items under Edit.
How to export and import data from files or clipboard?
To export and import data from files or clipboard, follow these steps:
To export data from a collection, document, or query to a file, right-click on the collection, document, or query node or tab and select Export Collection, Export Document, or Export Query Result. You will see a dialog box where you can choose the file format (JSON, CSV, or TSV), the file name and location, and the export options. Click on Export to start the export process.
To import data from a file to a collection, right-click on the collection node and select Import Collection. You will see a dialog box where you can choose the file format (JSON, CSV, or TSV), the file name and location, and the import options. Click on Import to start the import process.
To copy data from a collection, document, or query to the clipboard, right-click on the collection, document, or query node or tab and select Copy Collection, Copy Document, or Copy Query Result. You will see a dialog box where you can choose the copy format (JSON, CSV, or TSV) and the copy options. Click on Copy to copy the data to the clipboard.
To paste data from the clipboard to a collection, right-click on the collection node and select Paste Collection. You will see a dialog box where you can choose the paste format (JSON, CSV, or TSV) and the paste options. Click on Paste to paste the data to the collection.
Compare Robo 3T with alternatives
Robo 3T is not the only MongoDB GUI tool available in the market. There are many other alternatives that offer similar or different features, pricing, and usability. In this section, I will compare Robo 3T with some of its popular alternatives and highlight their pros and cons.
What are some of the popular alternatives to Robo 3T?
Some of the popular alternatives to Robo 3T are:
MongoDB Compass: MongoDB Compass is the official GUI tool for MongoDB. It is developed and maintained by MongoDB Inc., the company behind MongoDB. It offers a rich and intuitive interface for exploring and manipulating MongoDB data. It also supports various features such as schema analysis, aggregation pipeline builder, index management, performance monitoring, etc. It is available in four editions: Community (free), Standard (free for development), Enterprise (paid), and Atlas (cloud-based).
Studio 3T: Studio 3T is a professional MongoDB GUI tool that offers a comprehensive set of features for MongoDB developers and administrators. It is developed and maintained by 3T Software Labs GmbH, a company that also develops Robo 3T. It supports various features such as SQL query, data compare and sync, schema explorer, IntelliShell, query code generation, etc. It is available in three editions: Free (limited features), Pro (paid), and Enterprise (paid).
NoSQLBooster for MongoDB: NoSQLBooster for MongoDB is a powerful MongoDB GUI tool that offers a smart query editor, code completion, syntax highlighting, query plan analysis, etc. It also supports various features such as SQL query, No No Yes Yes No Data visualization No No Yes Yes Yes Schema design No No Yes Yes No Data migration No No Yes Yes No Backup and restore No No No No Yes Data lake No No No No Yes Charts No No No No Yes Pricing Free and open-source Free and paid editions Free and paid editions Free and paid editions Free and paid tiers Usability Simple, fast, and snappy Rich and intuitive interface Comprehensive and professional toolset Powerful and smart query editor Fully managed and secure cloud service Conclusion
Robo 3T is a free, lightweight, open-source MongoDB GUI tool that allows you to interact with your MongoDB data through a user-friendly interface. It is a shell-centric tool that embeds the actual mongo shell in a tabbed interface with access to both the shell command line and the GUI interaction. It also supports various features such as connection management, data browsing and editing, data export and import, etc. It is a native and cross-platform tool that supports Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Robo 3T is a useful tool for MongoDB developers and administrators who want to enjoy the power and flexibility of the mongo shell while also taking advantage of the convenience and productivity of a GUI tool. It is also a great tool for beginners who want to learn MongoDB in a simple and fast way. However, Robo 3T may not be enough for advanced users who need more features and functionality, such as schema analysis, aggregation pipeline builder, index management, performance monitoring, SQL query, data compare and sync, query code generation, data visualization, schema design, data migration, backup and restore, data lake, charts, etc. For those users, they may want to consider some of the alternatives to Robo 3T, such as MongoDB Compass, Studio 3T, NoSQLBooster for MongoDB, or MongoDB Atlas.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Robo 3T:
What is the difference between Robo 3T and Studio 3T Free?
Robo 3T and Studio 3T Free are both free MongoDB GUI tools developed by 3T Software Labs GmbH. However, they have some differences in terms of features and usability. Robo 3T is a simple and lightweight tool that focuses on the shell interaction. Studio 3T Free is a more comprehensive and professional tool that offers more features such as SQL query, data compare and sync, schema explorer, IntelliShell, query code generation, etc. However, Studio 3T Free also has some limitations compared to the paid editions of Studio 3T, such as Pro and Enterprise.
How to update Robo 3T to the latest version?
To update Robo 3T to the latest version, you can follow these steps:
Go to the Robo 3T official website and download the latest version of Robo 3T for your operating system.
Unzip the downloaded file and replace the old Robo 3T folder with the new one.
Run the new Robo 3T executable file as usual.
How to enable dark theme in Robo 3T?
To enable dark theme in Robo 3T, you can follow these steps:
In the main window of Robo 3T, click on the Edit menu and select Preferences.
In the dialog box that opens, click on the Display tab.
In the Theme section, select Dark from the drop-down menu.
Click on OK to save your changes.
Restart Robo 3T to apply the dark theme.
How to use SSL/TLS encryption for secure connections in Robo 3T?
To use SSL/TLS encryption for secure connections in Robo 3T , you can follow these steps:
In the dialog box for creating a new connection, check the Use SSL protocol box and select the SSL mode from the drop-down menu. The SSL mode determines how Robo 3T will use SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication with your MongoDB server or cluster. The available modes are:
None: No SSL/TLS encryption is used.
Allow invalid certificates: SSL/TLS encryption is used, but Robo 3T does not validate the server certificate.
Allow invalid hostnames: SSL/TLS encryption is used, but Robo 3T does not verify that the server hostname matches the certificate.
Server validation: SSL/TLS encryption is used, and Robo 3T validates the server certificate and hostname.
Server and client validation: SSL/TLS encryption is used, and Robo 3T validates the server certificate and hostname, and also provides a client certificate and private key to the server.
If you choose Server validation or Server and client validation, you may need to specify the certificate authority file, the client certificate file, and the client private key file for your connection. You can browse or enter the file names in the corresponding fields.
Click on Test to test your connection with SSL/TLS encryption. If the connection is successful, you will see a green check mark and a message saying Connected successfully. If the connection fails, you will see a red cross mark and a message saying Unable to connect. You may need to check your connection details and settings and try again.
Click on Save to save your connection with SSL/TLS encryption. You will see your connection added to the sidebar under MongoDB Connections. You can also double-click on it to open a new tab for it.
How to troubleshoot common errors and issues in Robo 3T?
If you encounter any errors or issues while using Robo 3T, you can try some of the following steps to troubleshoot them:
Check the error message and details in the shell tab or the dialog box. They may give you some clues about the cause and solution of the problem.
Check your connection details and settings and make sure they are correct and compatible with your MongoDB server or cluster.
Check your firewall and network settings and make sure they are not blocking or interfering with your connection to your MongoDB server or cluster.
Check your MongoDB server or cluster status and logs and make sure they are running properly and without any errors or issues.
Check the Robo 3T official website and documentation for more information and guidance on how to use Robo 3T.
Check the Robo 3T GitHub repository for more source code, bug reports, feature requests, etc.
Check the Robo 3T community forum for more questions, answers, tips, etc.
Contact the Robo 3T support team for more help and feedback.
I hope this article has helped you learn more about Robo 3T and how to use it for your MongoDB projects. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading!
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