ParaQL Query Language

ParaQL (Parascope Query Language) is a read-only, SQL-like query language purpose-built for the Parascope CMDB. It lets you explore configuration items, relationships, changes, and infrastructure topology from a single query console — no matter which source system the data came from.

Why ParaQL?

Traditional CMDBs force you to click through UIs or stitch together API calls when you need cross-system answers. ParaQL provides a unified query interface that spans every data source Parascope collects from:

• Cross-system search — Query Kubernetes pods, Proxmox VMs, OpenStack instances, Ceph OSDs, DNS zones, and more in a single statement
• Relationship traversal — Walk infrastructure stacks with arrow syntax: deployment -[manages]-> pod
• Temporal analysis — Compare infrastructure state across time with DIFF and AS OF
• Impact analysis — Determine blast radius when a host, pool, or service goes down
• Smart visualization — Results automatically render as tables, charts, graphs, or key-value cards based on the query shape

Getting Started

Navigate to Query Console in the sidebar (or press /query in the URL). You'll see a split-pane editor with syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and a results panel below.

Your First Queries

Start by exploring what data is available:

SHOW TABLES

This lists all CI types in your CMDB (e.g., kubernetes.pod, proxmox.vm, ceph.osd).

Describe a specific type to see its columns:

DESCRIBE kubernetes.pod

Then query the data:

SELECT name, namespace, config.phase, config.node_name
FROM kubernetes.pod
WHERE config.phase = 'Running'
ORDER BY namespace, name
LIMIT 20

Executing Queries

• Run: Press Cmd+Enter (Mac) or Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux)
• New line: Press Enter (multi-line editing is fully supported)
• Autocomplete: Triggers automatically as you type CI types, columns, and keywords

Query Console Features

Editor

The ParaQL editor provides a professional IDE-like experience:

• Syntax highlighting for keywords, CI types, strings, numbers, and operators
• Autocomplete for CI types, column names, relationship types, functions, and keywords — powered by live schema data fetched via SHOW TABLES, SHOW RELATIONSHIPS, and DESCRIBE
• Inline linting that highlights syntax errors with squiggly underlines and error messages
• Resizable panels — drag the divider between editor and results to adjust the split

Result Visualizations

ParaQL automatically selects the best visualization for your results. See Result Visualizations for a detailed breakdown of each mode.

Every chart and graph view includes a Table tab so you can always fall back to the raw data.

History and Saved Queries

• History (clock icon) — Automatically records every executed query with timestamp, execution time, and row count. Stored locally in your browser (up to 100 entries). Star important queries to pin them to the top.
• Saved Queries (bookmark icon) — Save queries server-side with a name and optional description. Saved queries persist across devices and can be shared via URL.

Export

Click the Export dropdown on any result to:

• Copy to clipboard (TSV) — Tab-separated values, paste directly into spreadsheets
• Download CSV — Standard CSV file
• Download JSON — Raw JSON array of row objects
• Copy as ParaQL — Copy the query text itself

URL Sharing

Every query execution updates the browser URL with an encoded query parameter. Copy the URL to share a specific query with colleagues — they'll see the same query pre-loaded in their editor.

Natural Language Chat

The AI sidebar (sparkle icon) lets you describe what you want in plain English, and an LLM translates it into ParaQL:

• Type "how many pods are running?" and get SELECT COUNT(*) AS running_pods FROM kubernetes.pod WHERE config.phase = 'Running'
• Refine queries by asking follow-up questions
• The system uses your CMDB schema, relationship types, and even specific CI names for accurate translation

See Natural Language Queries for details on the NL system.

What's Next