How to use `duckdb-ui` as a R/Windows user ?

[ddotta]

As an R user and Windows user, I'd like to try duckdb-ui.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work in my terminal.

Do you have an idea how to solve my problem?

Is there a way to run duckdb-ui natively with R functions?

Many thanks in advance!

Here is my terminal:

Microsoft Windows [version 10.0.22631.4890]
(c) Microsoft Corporation. Tous droits réservés.

C:\Users\damien.dotta\Documents>duckdb
v1.2.1 8e52ec4395
Enter ".help" for usage hints.
Connected to a transient in-memory database.
Use ".open FILENAME" to reopen on a persistent database.
D .exit

C:\Users\damien.dotta\Documents>duckdb -ui
Extension Autoloading Error:
An error occurred while trying to automatically install the required extension 'ui':
Failed to download extension "ui" at URL "http://extensions.duckdb.org/v1.2.1/windows_amd64/ui.duckdb_extension.gz"
Extension "ui" is an existing extension.

For more info, visit https://duckdb.org/docs/extensions/troubleshooting/?version=v1.2.1&platform=windows_amd64&extension=ui (ERROR Failed to read connection)
v1.2.1 8e52ec4395
Enter ".help" for usage hints.

[ddotta]

I try to dowload the extension file and this is what I got :

Maybe I did something wrong for the installation....

[ddotta]

I think I need to wait version 1.2.1 for R package, right ?

library(duckdb)
cnx <- dbConnect(duckdb())

dbGetQuery(cnx, "select version()")

#  "version"()        
1      v1.2.0

[eitsupi]

I think your first post is irrelevant to R and should be posted here.

And, at this time, I don't think it will work because there is no build for R for Windows (mingw). See duckdb/duckdb-ui#26

[lschneiderbauer]

With the today's binaries for the duckdb-1.2.1 R package, I get

dbcon <- DBI::dbConnect(duckdb::duckdb())

DBI::dbGetQuery(dbcon, "SELECT version() AS version;")
#>   version
#> 1  v1.2.1

DBI::dbExecute(dbcon, "INSTALL ui;")
#> Error in `duckdb_result()`:
#> ! rapi_execute: Failed to run query
#> Error: HTTP Error: Failed to download extension "ui" at URL "http://extensions.duckdb.org/v1.2.1/windows_amd64_mingw/ui.duckdb_extension.gz" (HTTP 403)
#> Extension "ui" is an existing extension.
#> 
#> For more info, visit https://duckdb.org/docs/extensions/troubleshooting/?version=v1.2.1&platform=windows_amd64_mingw&extension=ui

DBI::dbDisconnect(dbcon)

^{Created on 2025-03-17 with reprex v2.1.1}

Maybe related to duckdb/duckdb#16673 ? "They" seem to check for a specific build when requesting the download, and block if it does not match.

EDIT: or simply eitsupi's stated reason (I guess I should read more carefully next time).

[ddotta]

Thanks a lot for your answer @eitsupi 🙏 .
So I will check a build R for Windows (mingw)

[ddotta]

@lschneiderbauer If you agree, I suggest you stay connected in this issue to be aware of how to use duckdb-1.2.1 R package with windows

[krlmlr]

Thanks for checking, let's keep this open until it's resolved upstream.

[ddotta]

A little update on the issue :

DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "INSTALL ui;")
> [1] 0
DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "LOAD ui;")
> [1] 0  

But nothing happens when :

system("duckdb -ui")

The process runs but fails to open the interface

[krlmlr]

Thanks. Can you use:

DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "CALL start_ui()")

?

[lschneiderbauer]

A little update on the issue :

DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "INSTALL ui;")

[1] 0
DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "LOAD ui;")
[1] 0
But nothing happens when :

system("duckdb -ui")
The process runs but fails to open the interface

Interesting, I still see the same HTTP 403 error on my end, as in #1083 (comment).

[krlmlr]

IIUC, this issue is about installing the extension on Windows. It works for me on macOS with CALL start_ui() .

[lschneiderbauer]

IIUC, this issue is about installing the extension on Windows.

I am indeed testing this on a Windows machine:

Sys.info()[c("sysname", "release", "version", "machine")]
#>       sysname       release       version       machine 
#>     "Windows"      "10 x64" "build 22631"      "x86-64"

EDIT: Could it be that a firewall causes me to see a 403 error?

[ddotta]

Thanks. Can you use:

?

With DBI::dbExecute(cnx, "CALL start_ui()") the browser automatically opens on localhost:4213 but the page remains empty..

[krlmlr]

The R package from r-universe will use the 1.2.2 build of the extension: https://duckdb.r-universe.dev/duckdb . Worth another try.