Jam SQL Studio The Polyglot Notebooks Alternative
for SQL Professionals
Microsoft deprecated the Polyglot Notebooks extension (formerly .NET Interactive Notebooks) on March 27, 2026, and archived its repository. Jam SQL Studio opens your Polyglot .ipynb files and runs their SQL and JavaScript cells — on six database engines, with GUI connections and AI integration.
Free for personal use • Open your .ipynb files directly • Mac, Windows, Linux
Deprecation Timeline
Microsoft’s announcement points to the VS Code Jupyter extension with a Jupyter kernel of your choice. For SQL Server, the MSSQL extension for VS Code has its own SQL Notebooks with a T-SQL kernel, one server per notebook.
Jam SQL Studio vs Polyglot Notebooks
Jam SQL Studio against the deprecated extension and Microsoft’s SQL Server notebook replacement.
| Feature | Jam SQL Studio | Polyglot Notebooks | VS Code MSSQL SQL Notebooks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | ✓ Active | ✗ Deprecated March 2026; repository archived | ✓ Active (MSSQL extension) |
| SQL cells | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ T-SQL |
| KQL (Kusto) cells | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| JavaScript cells | ✓ | ✓ | Other kernels through the Jupyter extension |
| C#, F#, PowerShell cells | ✗ Imported as Markdown | ✓ | Other kernels through the Jupyter extension |
| SQL engines | ✓ SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle, SQLite, Azure Data Explorer | SQL Server and Kusto | SQL Server, Azure SQL, Fabric; one server per notebook |
| Connection setup | ✓ GUI connection manager | #!connect magic commands | ✓ Connection profiles |
| SQL IntelliSense | ✓ All engines | T-SQL | ✓ Table and column names |
| Temp tables persist across cells | ✓ Shared session on SQL engines | Not documented | Not documented |
| .ipynb format | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Markdown cells | ✓ + formatting toolbar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag-and-drop cell reordering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Command and edit mode shortcuts (A/B, DD, M/Y) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI in notebooks | ✓ AI chat via Claude Code or Codex CLI, plus a local MCP server | ✗ | ✓ GitHub Copilot |
| Runs as | Standalone desktop app | VS Code extension | VS Code extension |
| Price | ✓ Free for personal use; Pro for commercial use | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
Migrate in 5 Steps
Download Jam SQL Studio
Free for Mac, Windows, and Linux. No account required.
Open Your .ipynb Files
Use More > Open Notebook to open any existing .ipynb file. SQL and JavaScript cells work immediately. C# and F# cells are imported as Markdown with the source preserved.
Set Up Connections via GUI
Instead of magic commands like #!connect, set up connections through the GUI connection manager. Select a connection and database from the notebook toolbar.
Run Your Notebooks
Execute cells individually or use Run All. On the SQL engines, temp tables and session variables persist across cells because every cell shares one database session.
Bring Your Connections With You
Already have connections set up elsewhere? Import them into Jam SQL Studio in one click from Azure Data Studio, VS Code, SSMS, DBeaver, DataGrip, TablePlus, MySQL Workbench, Navicat, and pgAdmin — plus standard config files like tnsnames.ora, pg_service.conf, .my.cnf, and ODBC. See how import works →
What Jam SQL Adds
Multi-Engine Support
Point a notebook at SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, Oracle, SQLite or Azure Data Explorer. Polyglot Notebooks’ #!connect covered SQL Server and Kusto.
GUI Connection Management
No magic commands needed. Set up, save, and switch connections through a visual interface with the same auth methods you already use.
AI Agent Support
AI Chat Sidebar powered by your locally installed Claude Code or Codex CLI — no extra subscription required. Plus AI Workspace and a local MCP server for policy-controlled agent queries.
Markdown Formatting Toolbar
One-click bold, italic, headings, lists, code blocks, and links. No need to remember Markdown syntax.
IntelliSense for All Engines
Context-aware SQL autocomplete for every supported database, including KQL on Azure Data Explorer. Polyglot Notebooks documented completions for T-SQL cells.
Jupyter-Style Keyboard Shortcuts
Command mode and Edit mode with the same shortcuts you used in VS Code notebooks: A/B for insert, DD for delete, M/Y for convert, arrow keys for navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyglot Notebooks deprecated?
Yes. Microsoft announced the deprecation on February 11, 2026: the Polyglot Notebooks extension for VS Code was deprecated on March 27, 2026 and .NET Interactive on April 24, 2026, and the GitHub repository is now archived. VS Code marks the extension with the notice "This extension is deprecated as it is no longer being maintained." Microsoft recommends the VS Code Jupyter extension with another Jupyter kernel, and C# file-based apps for C# code.
What does Microsoft recommend for SQL notebooks now?
For SQL Server, the MSSQL extension for VS Code has its own SQL Notebooks: .ipynb files with an MSSQL kernel, IntelliSense for table and column names, connection profiles and GitHub Copilot. Each notebook connects to one SQL Server instance, and the kernel runs T-SQL only. Jam SQL Studio's notebooks run SQL and KQL against SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQLite and Azure Data Explorer.
Can I open my Polyglot .ipynb files in Jam SQL Studio?
Yes. Use More > Open Notebook, or drag the file into the app window. SQL and JavaScript cells are preserved as executable code cells. C#, F# and PowerShell cells are imported as Markdown cells with the source code shown in code fences.
Does Jam SQL Studio support C# and F# cells?
No. Jam SQL Studio focuses on SQL, KQL and JavaScript for data professionals. C# and F# cells from Polyglot Notebooks are imported as Markdown with the source preserved in code fences, so you can still read the code.
What databases does Jam SQL Studio support in notebooks?
SQL Server (including Azure SQL), PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQLite and Azure Data Explorer (KQL). Polyglot Notebooks' #!connect command connected to Microsoft SQL Server and Kusto databases.
Do temp tables persist across cells?
Yes, on the SQL engines. All code cells in a Jam SQL notebook share a pinned database session, so temp tables, session variables and SET options created in one cell are available in the cells after it. Azure Data Explorer is stateless, so each KQL cell runs on its own.
Does Jam SQL Studio work on Mac and Linux?
Yes. Jam SQL Studio is a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Unlike Polyglot Notebooks and the MSSQL extension (both VS Code extensions), it is a standalone application with its own editor, object explorer and connection manager.
Can I use Claude Code with SQL notebooks in Jam SQL Studio?
Yes. Jam SQL Studio includes an AI Chat Sidebar powered by your locally installed Claude Code CLI or Codex CLI. The AI can add, edit, and execute notebook cells, introspect your database schema, and run queries from a chat panel next to your notebook.
Ready to Migrate from Polyglot Notebooks?
Download Jam SQL Studio free and open your .ipynb files directly.