Generate a regex or SQL query: how to do it with AI
Last checked 2026-10-15
BeginnerBot with human review 💻 Coding
Describe what you need and get a tested pattern or query.
1. Bot automation level
Bot with human review The bot does the work, but facts, numbers or code should be checked.
2. Before you hand it to the bot
- Gather inputs: the text, file or details the bot needs.
- Access: make sure you can use the chosen bot/plan (see limits below).
- Context: tell the bot audience, purpose, constraints and examples of good output.
- Privacy check: remove personal, confidential or regulated data unless your plan/workspace is approved for it.
- Success criteria: write down what 'done' looks like (length, format, tests passing, fields filled).
3. Copy-paste prompts
Main prompt
Write a SQL query that returns monthly active users from events(user_id, ts).
Beginner-friendly
Write a SQL query that returns monthly active users from events(user_id, ts). I'm new to this: explain each step in plain words and ask me for anything you need before starting.
Check-your-work
Write a SQL query that returns monthly active users from events(user_id, ts). When you finish, list any assumptions you made, anything you're unsure about, and what I should double-check before using the result.
Free tiers that can handle this (verified): ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex), GitHub Copilot, Mistral Le Chat. Others: check plan.
4. Step-by-step
- Paste the table schema (columns, types) and a few sample rows.
- State the database (Postgres, MySQL, BigQuery) and the exact result you want.
- Ask for the query plus an explanation of each clause.
- Run it on a small sample and check results by hand.
- Check performance on large tables (indexes, limits).
5. Which bots and plans can do it
| Tool | What's different here | Plan limits | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude (incl. Claude Code) | Explains and writes SQL; Claude Code can run it locally. | Claude Code and Research need Pro or higher; computer use is Pro/Max only (research preview). | code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop |
| ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex) | Explains and writes SQL in chat. | Free tier has limited deep research, Codex and Work; scheduled tasks need Go or higher (per chatgpt.com/pricing). | help.openai.com/en/articles/20001275-chatgpt-work-and-codex |
| Cursor | — | Pricing page unverified; cloud agents require a connected source-control repo. | cursor.com/docs/agent/overview |
| GitHub Copilot | Inline suggestions in editors including SQL Server Management Studio. | Free: 2,000 completions + 50 chats; cloud agent listed on paid plans. | docs.github.com/en/copilot/concepts/agents/cloud-agent/about-cloud-agent |
| Mistral Le Chat | — | Free tier has limited messages, searches and coding sessions; Pro raises limits. | mistral.ai/pricing |
| DeepSeek | Free chat; verify dialect. | Chat app limits not documented officially; API is pay-per-token. | api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |
Free or paid?
- Claude (incl. Claude Code): Free plan: yes. chat, web search, files & code execution, Artifacts, connectors. Claude Code and Research need Pro. Paid: the lowest price we could verify on the official pricing page is $20/month (other plans may exist). For this task, check the plan.
- ChatGPT (incl. Work & Codex): Free plan: yes. unlimited text chats; limited uploads, images, voice, deep research and Codex. Paid: price not verified, so check the official site. Its free tier can handle this task.
- Cursor: Free: not verified, so check the official site. Paid: price not verified, so check the official site. For this task, check the plan.
- GitHub Copilot: Free plan: yes. 2,000 completions and 50 chat requests a month; agent mode and CLI. Paid: the lowest price we could verify on the official pricing page is $10/month (other plans may exist). Its free tier can handle this task.
- Mistral Le Chat: Free plan: yes. limited messages, searches, coding sessions and basic images. Paid: the lowest price we could verify on the official pricing page is $14.99/month (other plans may exist). Its free tier can handle this task.
- DeepSeek: Free: not verified, so check the official site. Paid: price not verified, so check the official site. For this task, check the plan.
6. Risks and what to double-check
- Dialects differ — date functions often break across databases.
- Never run AI-generated UPDATE/DELETE without a WHERE check and a backup.
- Run tests and review diffs; never merge unreviewed agent code.
- AI can hallucinate facts — verify anything that matters.
- Don't share secrets or other people's personal data.