phpMyAdmin

# Configure local phpMyAdmin

Configure local phpMyAdmin to connect to the remote database by adding a server entry to the config.inc.php file. This enables remote database management through a local admin interface without exposing tools to production. Add this configuration:

$cfg['Servers'][$i]['verbose']      = '{{app-env-id}}';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['host']         = '127.0.0.1';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['port']         = '13306'; // like specified with tunnel command
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['connect_type'] = 'tcp';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['extension']    = 'mysqli';
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['compress']     = FALSE;
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['auth_type']    = 'cookie';
$i++;

Open a terminal tunnel, then visit the local phpMyAdmin instance in the browser. Enter the MySQL username and password when prompted. A tunnel must be open whenever connecting to the remote database through local phpMyAdmin.

# Why not install phpMyAdmin on fortrabbit

Security: Don't expose a UI to access the production database. Practical reasons: Don't pollute the git repository with config files or risk a deployment drift.

# Better alternatives

Access the remote database directly from a local machine using a native database client instead of a web UI. AdminNeo↗ provides a modern desktop alternative to phpMyAdmin for MySQL administration.