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I'm trying to connect to my database through Rider but it doesn't work since I encrypted my database with SQLCipher. Tutorials say I should add these fields in the "Advanced" tab but that doesn't work:

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I can connect using Microsoft.Data.Sqlite so it's not a file corruption problem, I just don't understand how to use the IDE (JetBrains Rider 2025.3.0.1) properly.

I get this error:

Error encountered when performing Introspect schema main: [SQLITE_NOTADB] File opened that is not a database file (file is not a database).
[SQLITE_NOTADB] File opened that is not a database file (file is not a database).

which is similar to the error I have if I try to open the database through code without a password. But I did specify the (correct) password in the Advanced tab of the Data Sources and Drivers Rider SQL IDE.

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  • We have a feature request to make this configuration more UI friendly: youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/DBE-5380/… Please see also this workaround, including the driver and class setup, and see if it works Commented Nov 20 at 13:12
  • Hi @AlexanderMolchanov I don't really see how I can do that, that seems very Java specific and also very code specific, I don't see how I could integrate this to Rider's UI built-in database IDE. Commented Nov 22 at 16:40
  • As per instructions Use JDBC driver from github.com/Willena/sqlite-jdbc-crypt and provide cipher and key(pwd) via JDBC URL, e.g.: jdbc:sqlite:/path/to/my/encrypted.db?cipher=sqlcipher&key=thepassword just substitute the password and db path in url and use this url in options, there are always options in the db ui where a person can enter Commented Nov 22 at 20:36
  • Hi @wui I'm a bit confused, how do I give the JDBC driver to Rider? I downloaded the .jar (sqlite-jdbc-3.49.1.0.jar) but I don't know what to do with a .jar. Sorry I'm a beginner. Commented Nov 22 at 20:39
  • Your config looks right to me. Quick question - are you adding those PRAGMA settings in the "Advanced" tab under your data source settings, or somewhere else? Also, what happens when you try to connect - does it give you a specific error message, or does it just fail silently? That might help narrow down whether it's a key issue vs. a cipher compatibility thing. Commented Nov 24 at 4:59

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I repeated the steps with Intelij (same as any other JetBrains' products, such as Rider). It works perfectly. For the context, the built-in SQLite driver in JetBrains IDEs does not support SQLCipher encryption. The reason you see that error is simply because that default sqlite driver just see your encrypted database as a bunch of random bytes with no meaning.

First, download the sqlite-jdbc-crypt (I downloaded sqlite-jdbc-3.50.1.0.jar)

Second, define a custom driver:

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Third, add your driver file that you downloaded from the first step

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It must look like this:

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Then, use that recently added driver as your "Data Source".

Finally, add a url like this containing the address to your encrypted sqlite db file, your key, kdf_iter, etc: jdbc:sqlite:file:/home/USER/test_database_v4.db?cipher=sqlcipher&legacy=4&kdf_iter=256000&cipher_page_size=4096&key=mySecretPassword123

If the error persists:

  • Verify your password is correct
  • Try different legacy values: 2, 3, or 4 (SQLCipher version, mine is 4)
  • If you created the database with custom settings, match those exact parameters

That's it!

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