MongoDB show databases

Listing databases in MongoDB helps you see all available databases on a server. This guide covers how to show databases using MongoDB Shell, Node.js (Mongoose), and MongoDB Compass.

1. Show Databases Using MongoDB Shell

A. Open MongoDB Shell

Start the MongoDB shell by running:

mongosh

B. List All Databases

Run the following command:

show dbs

✅ Example Output:

admin    0.000GB
config   0.000GB
local    0.000GB
blogDB   0.001GB
shopDB   0.002GB

The admin, config, and local databases are system databases, while blogDB and shopDB are user-created databases.

2. Show Databases Using Node.js (Mongoose)

A. Install Mongoose (If Not Installed)

npm install mongoose

B. Create a Script to List Databases

Create listDatabases.js:

const mongoose = require('mongoose');
const { MongoClient } = require('mongodb');

const url = 'mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017';

async function listDatabases() {
    const client = new MongoClient(url);
    try {
        await client.connect();
        const databases = await client.db().admin().listDatabases();
        console.log("📂 Databases on this server:");
        databases.databases.forEach(db => console.log(`- ${db.name}`));
    } catch (error) {
        console.error("❌ Error listing databases:", error.message);
    } finally {
        await client.close();
    }
}

listDatabases();

C. Run the Script

node listDatabases.js

✅ Example Output:

📂 Databases on this server:
- admin
- config
- local
- blogDB
- shopDB

3. Show Databases Using MongoDB Compass

If you prefer a graphical interface, follow these steps:

Open MongoDB Compass and connect to your server.
The left sidebar will display all available databases.
Click on a database name to view its collections.

✅ The databases will be listed visually.

4. Summary

✔ Listed databases using MongoDB Shell (show dbs).
✔ Used Mongoose to fetch databases programmatically.
✔ Displayed databases in MongoDB Compass GUI.

5. Next Steps

🔹 Filter databases based on usage or size.
🔹 Monitor database performance and storage usage.
🔹 Secure database access using authentication.

Would you like help with MongoDB authentication or database monitoring? 🚀

Souy Soeng

MongoDB show databases