mongodb

Overview

Use mongodb for collections and documents with the same compact database vocabulary: hidden-password connection, indexes, previews, focused edits, JSON export, native command documents and logical backups.

Documents and collections

MongoDB stores BSON-like documents in collections rather than rows in fixed SQL tables. Documents in one collection may differ in shape, but “flexible schema” does not mean structure is irrelevant: applications still need stable field meanings, validation and indexes. Use the compact surface for common inspection and mutations, and native command documents after : when MongoDB-specific queries or operators are needed.

Syntax

mongodb [options] · mongodb : <json-command>

Reference

Inspection

-l lists databases, -t lists collections, -s lists indexes, -n previews documents and -f matches one field/value pair. -o exports a collection as JSON.

Editing

-a inserts a JSON document. -w applies $set to documents matching one field/value pair. -d deletes documents matching one field/value pair. Complex operations remain available through native command documents after :.

Dump and restore

dump stores collections as canonical Extended JSON strings when the driver supports them, preserving BSON types better than ordinary JSON. load restores lil MongoDB dumps. Use mongodump for server-wide backups that require every MongoDB feature.

Connection

-c accepts either a host or a full mongodb:// / mongodb+srv:// URI. If a separate user is supplied, the password is requested outside command history unless -n is used.

Safety

Commands run with the privileges of the supplied MongoDB credentials.

When a full MongoDB URI includes a database path and no separate database argument is supplied, that path becomes the selected database. lil dumps are data-only and do not recreate collection options or indexes; export and dump refuse collections above 100000 documents instead of writing partial data.

Saved connections

Without -m, connection data remains scoped to the current PHP session. -m [name] explicitly stores the current profile in the protected .lil.key file (0600), -K <name> reconnects from it, -k lists or inspects profiles without exposing a stored password, and -M <name> removes one. kill removes .lil.key together with the other core state. Treat the file as sensitive because an opted-in profile can contain database credentials.

Install and manage

Install the current compatible version. Choose Base for the complete feature set or Minimum for the reduced package; use upgrade to update a module that is already installed.

Base and Minimum are two packages of the same current module release, not separate command versions.

Examples

Examples are copyable command lines, not actions executed by this website. Review paths, permissions and destructive flags before running them on a real project.

Database  shop

products
orders

{"sku":"SHOE-1","name":"City shoe","category":"shoes","price":79.9}
{"sku":"BAG-1","name":"Canvas bag","category":"bags","price":44.5}

Status    connected
Server    localhost
Database  shop
Version   8.x

Status    connected
Server    localhost
Database  shop
Version   8.x

admin
config
shop

_id_  {"_id":1}
sku_1  {"sku":1}

{"sku":"SHOE-1","name":"City shoe","price":79.9}

Saved  products.json

Inserted  1
ID        generated

Matched  1
Updated  1

Deleted  1

{"n":4,"ok":1}

Saved  shop.json

Restored  2

+

Collection not found: missing_collection

{
  "format": "lil-mongodb-json",
  "version": 1,
  "database": "shop",
  "created": "2026-08-09T00:00:00+00:00",
  "collections": {
    "products": [
      "{\"sku\":\"SHOE-1\",\"name\":\"City shoe\",\"category\":\"shoes\",\"price\":79.9,\"active\":true}",
      "{\"sku\":\"BAG-1\",\"name\":\"Canvas bag\",\"category\":\"bags\",\"price\":44.5,\"active\":true}"
    ]
  }
}

Related documentation