Seedfast CLI

2.3.0 verified Thu Apr 23 auth: no javascript

Seedfast CLI is an AI-powered command-line interface tool designed for generating realistic test data for PostgreSQL databases. The current stable version is 2.3.0, with frequent minor releases indicated by the recent changelog history (e.g., 2.2.0, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.3.0). Its key differentiators include an AI-powered planning engine that analyzes database schemas and generates intelligent seeding plans, the ability to create contextually appropriate data respecting foreign keys and constraints, and a multi-worker architecture for concurrent and fast data generation. It offers an interactive terminal UI for real-time progress, secure OAuth-style authentication, and supports CI/CD integration via API keys. It fundamentally differentiates itself by abstracting data generation complexity through AI, providing a streamlined workflow for developers and testers.

Common errors

error seedfast: command not found ↓

cause The `seedfast` executable is not installed or not in your system's PATH.

fix

Install Seedfast using npm install -g seedfast, brew install argon-it/tap/seedfast, or manually add the binary to your system's PATH.

error Error: connection refused ↓

cause The Seedfast CLI could not establish a connection to your PostgreSQL database. This often indicates incorrect DSN, an unreachable host/port, or a firewall blocking the connection.

fix

Verify your PostgreSQL connection string (seedfast connect or SEEDFAST_DSN env var), ensure the database server is running, and check network connectivity/firewall rules.

error Error: authentication failed for user "your_user" ↓

cause The credentials provided in your PostgreSQL connection string are incorrect.

fix

Double-check the username and password in your DSN. Ensure the user has appropriate permissions to connect to and modify the target database.

error Error: API key not configured for this scope or invalid ↓

cause When using `SEEDFAST_API_KEY` for CI/CD, the key is either missing, incorrect, or lacks the necessary permissions/scope for the operation (e.g., seeding a specific database).

fix

Ensure SEEDFAST_API_KEY is correctly set in your environment, and that the API key itself is valid and has been generated with the correct scope/permissions for your project.

error Error: Login session expired. Please run 'seedfast login' again. ↓

cause Your authentication token with the Seedfast backend service has expired.

fix

Run seedfast login in your terminal to re-authenticate and refresh your session.

Warnings

deprecated The `seedfast whoami` command has been deprecated and replaced by `seedfast me`. While `whoami` might still work in older versions, `me` is the officially supported command for checking authentication status. ↓

fix Update your scripts and muscle memory to use `seedfast me` instead of `seedfast whoami`.

gotcha Seedfast is primarily distributed as a Go binary CLI tool, not a traditional JavaScript library. While it can be installed via `npm install -g seedfast` for Node.js users, it does not provide exportable JavaScript symbols for `import` or `require` statements within your Node.js code. ↓

fix Always invoke `seedfast` as a command-line executable. Do not attempt to import it into JavaScript/TypeScript files.

breaking Major versions, particularly transitioning from v1 to v2, may introduce changes in command-line flags, configuration options, or backend API interactions. Always review the release notes when upgrading between major versions. ↓

fix Consult the official GitHub releases page or `seedfast --help` for any command-line flag changes after a major version upgrade.

gotcha For CI/CD integration, ensure `SEEDFAST_API_KEY` is securely managed. Exposing API keys directly in public repositories or insecure environments poses a significant security risk. Use environment variables or secret management services. ↓

fix Use your CI/CD platform's secret management features (e.g., GitHub Actions `secrets`) and ensure API keys are scoped appropriately for the intended usage.

Install

npm install seedfast_windows_amd64

yarn add seedfast_windows_amd64

pnpm add seedfast_windows_amd64

Quickstart

Demonstrates the initial setup for Seedfast: authenticating, connecting to a PostgreSQL database, and initiating the seeding process.

seedfast login
# Follow browser authentication flow

seedfast connect
# When prompted, enter your PostgreSQL connection string, e.g.:
# postgres://user:password@localhost:5432/dbname?sslmode=disable

seedfast seed
# CLI will analyze schema, present a plan, and seed your database