This guide walks you through running MindsDB using Docker, connecting your own database, adding a GPT-based AI agent, and querying it—all in detail. ## 1. Running MindsDB Using Docker <img src={require('./img/7856001.jpg').default} alt="Developers running MindsDB using Docker container" width="650" height="500"/> <br/> follow this step-by-step [deployment guide](https://docs.nife.io/docs/Guides/how-to-deploy-minddb-from-openhub/) to get started on Nife’s hybrid cloud—no Docker or manual setup needed **Prerequisites:** - Docker installed on your machine. - If you're new to Docker, see [Install Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) for platform-specific instructions. **Start MindsDB:** ```bash docker run -d \ --name mindsdb \ -p 47334:47334 \ -p 47335:47335 \ mindsdb/mindsdb:latest ``` * **47334**: HTTP API & Web GUI * **47335**: MySQL API Once started, access the MindsDB GUI at: `http://localhost:47334` Or use the API at the same port. if you're curious about how MindsDB works behind the scenes, check out this [introduction to MindsDB architecture](https://docs.mindsdb.com/introduction/how-it-works). ## 2. Adding a Database Connection MindsDB can connect to many databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.). Here’s how to add a MySQL database: **SQL Command (run in MindsDB SQL editor or via API):** ```sql CREATE DATABASE mysql_conn WITH ENGINE = 'mysql', PARAMETERS = { "host": "your-mysql-host", "port": 3306, "database": "your_db_name", "user": "your_db_user", "password": "your_db_password" }; ``` * Replace the values with your actual database details. * You can also use a connection URL: ```sql CREATE DATABASE mysql_conn WITH ENGINE = 'mysql', PARAMETERS = { "url": "mysql://user:password@host:3306/db_name" }; ``` **Check the connection:** ```sql SHOW DATABASES; ``` or ```sql SELECT * FROM mysql_conn.your_table LIMIT 5; ``` If you need a sample MySQL database for testing, you can find open datasets at [MySQL Sample Databases](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/index-other.html). ## 3. Adding a GPT AI Agent To use GPT (like GPT-4o) for natural language Q\&A, you need an OpenAI API key. **Step 1: Create the Agent** ```sql CREATE AGENT my_gpt_agent USING model = 'gpt-4o', openai_api_key = 'your_openai_api_key', include_tables = ['mysql_conn.your_table'], prompt_template = ' mysql_conn.your_table contains your business data. Answer questions using this data. '; ``` * `model`: The LLM to use (e.g., 'gpt-4o'). * `openai_api_key`: Your OpenAI API key. * `include_tables`: List the tables the agent can access. * `prompt_template`: (Optional) Describe your data to help the agent answer accurately. Not sure which model to use? Here's a [comparison of GPT-4o vs Gemini vs Claude](https://www.evolution.ai/post/claude-vs-gpt-4o-vs-gemini). **Step 2: Verify the Agent** ```sql SHOW AGENTS WHERE name = 'my_gpt_agent'; ``` ## 4. Asking Questions to the Agent <img src={require('./img/5326273.jpg').default} alt="Developer interacting with GPT agent using natural language queries about MindsDB " width="550" height="500"/> <br/> You can now ask natural language questions to your agent: ```sql SELECT answer FROM my_gpt_agent WHERE question = 'How many customers signed up last month?'; ``` * The agent will use the connected data and GPT model to answer your question in natural language. If you're new to prompt design, this [OpenAI cookbook](https://github.com/openai/openai-cookbook) has great examples for GPT-based workflows. ## 5. Full Example Workflow 1. **Start MindsDB with Docker** (see above). 2. **Connect your database** (e.g., MySQL). 3. **Create a GPT agent** linked to your data. 4. **Ask questions** using SQL. ## 6. Tips and Troubleshooting <img src={require('./img/3325622.jpg').default} alt="Developer troubleshooting MindsDB errors with help from a teammate" width="550" height="500"/> <br/> * **Multiple Databases:** Repeat the `CREATE DATABASE` step for each data source. * **Other Models:** You can use other LLMs (Gemini, Anthropic, etc.) by changing the `model` and API key. * **Data Security:** Never expose your API keys in public code or logs. * **Error Handling:** If you get connection errors, double-check your database credentials and network access. ## 7. Reference Table | Step | Command/Action | | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Run MindsDB | `docker run -d -p 47334:47334 -p 47335:47335 mindsdb/mindsdb:latest` | | Add Database | `CREATE DATABASE mysql_conn WITH ENGINE = 'mysql', PARAMETERS = {...};` | | Create GPT Agent | `CREATE AGENT my_gpt_agent USING model = 'gpt-4o', ...;` | | Ask a Question | `SELECT answer FROM my_gpt_agent WHERE question = '...';` | ## Final Thoughts MindsDB bridges the gap between traditional SQL databases and modern AI models, allowing you to ask complex questions over your structured data using natural language. With Docker for setup, SQL for control, and GPT-4o for intelligence, this workflow empowers developers, analysts, and product teams alike. Whether you’re building an analytics dashboard, data chatbot, or intelligent reporting tool—**you now have a full pipeline from data to insight** using MindsDB + GPT. You can deploy MindsDB in just a few minutes using [Nife.io](https://nife.io/), a unified platform for AI applications, cloud deployment, and DevOps automation. Explore and launch MindsDB instantly from the [OpenHub App Marketplace](https://openhub.nife.io/apps/) . ---
