MSSQL Client in Kubernetes: Quick sqlcmd Reference

January 5, 2026•Salih Kayiplar

kubernetes

mssql

database

azure

Spin up a temporary client pod

kubectl run -i --tty --rm mssql-tools \
  --image=mcr.microsoft.com/mssql-tools \
  --restart=Never -n default -- bash

Connect

sqlcmd -S <server> -d <database> -U <user> -P '<password>' -N -C

List databases

sqlcmd -S myserver.database.windows.net \
  -U admin -P 'Pass' \
  -Q "SELECT name FROM sys.databases" -N -C

List tables

sqlcmd -S myserver.database.windows.net \
  -d MyDB -U admin -P 'Pass' \
  -Q "SELECT TABLE_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES WHERE TABLE_TYPE = 'BASE TABLE'" -N -C

Quick query

sqlcmd -S myserver.database.windows.net \
  -d MyDB -U admin -P 'Pass' \
  -Q "SELECT TOP 10 * FROM dbo.Users" -N -C

Flags

Flag	Purpose
`-S`	Server name
`-d`	Database
`-U` / `-P`	Username / Password
`-N`	Encrypt connection
`-C`	Trust server cert
`-Q`	Run query and exit

Gotcha

-P on the command line shows up in process lists — omit it and enter interactively in production
Azure SQL requires -N (encryption), you'll get a cryptic connection error without it
If Login timeout expired: check firewall rules, private endpoints, and that the pod network can reach the SQL server
Quote the password with single quotes if it has special chars: -P 'p@ss!word'

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