datasette-ports 0.1: Find All Running Datasette Instances Instantly in 2026

datasette-ports 0.1: Find All Running Datasette Instances Instantly in 2026

datasette-ports 0.1, a lightweight CLI tool from Simon Willison, gives developers an instant overview of every active Datasette instance on their machine. No more hunting through terminal tabs or guessing which port your test server is running on. With just two commands — datasette install datasette-ports and datasette ports — you get a clean list of ports, database paths, and plugin status, all in one glance.

Why Developers Are Switching to datasette-ports

Managing dozens of Datasette instances for plugin testing, database experiments, or local API prototyping was once a chaotic process. Developers lost track of ports, closed the wrong terminal, or restarted servers unnecessarily. datasette-ports solves this by integrating directly with Datasette’s internal process tracker — no configuration, no daemons, no overhead.

How datasette-ports Works

Under the hood, datasette-ports scans active Datasette processes using the tool’s own plugin architecture. It reads metadata like port numbers and database paths without requiring elevated permissions or background services. This makes it ideal for local development environments on macOS, Linux, and Windows.

README-Driven Development in Action

Created using README-driven development, datasette-ports was designed from the documentation up. Simon Willison wrote the usage guide before writing a single line of code, ensuring the tool solved real friction: "I just want to see what’s running." The result? A minimalist, focused utility that fits perfectly into Datasette’s ecosystem — no bloat, no UI, just pure utility.

Installation and Usage Guide

Install datasette-ports in seconds:

• Run: datasette install datasette-ports
• Then: datasette ports to list all running instances
• Works with custom plugins and async-enabled Datasette setups

No restarts needed. No environment variables. Just instant clarity.

How datasette-ports Reduces Cognitive Load in Data Engineering

Modern data engineering isn’t about big applications — it’s about managing dozens of small, ephemeral tools. When you’re juggling multiple Datasette servers for testing, debugging, or prototyping, even small inefficiencies add up. datasette-ports cuts through the noise, letting you focus on data, not logistics.

It’s part of a broader trend: developers are favoring composable CLI tools over monolithic interfaces. Think of it as the Unix philosophy for data tools — do one thing, do it well. And datasette-ports does exactly that.

Related Tools from Simon Willison

datasette-ports isn’t an isolated project. It follows the same philosophy as llm-all-models-async 0.1, which enabled async LLM plugins for Datasette. Both tools identify workflow gaps and fill them with elegant, open-source solutions — often requiring only minor updates to core libraries like LLM 0.30.

For teams using Datasette for internal analytics, data exploration, or API prototyping, datasette-ports 0.1 is a quiet game-changer. It doesn’t replace anything — it just makes your existing workflow faster, cleaner, and less frustrating.

As Datasette adoption grows, tools like datasette-ports will become essential for maintaining sanity in complex local environments. It doesn’t just list ports — it restores your focus.