Elasticsearch GUI Client - Free Desktop Tool

DocKit is a free, open-source Elasticsearch GUI client that provides a fast, native desktop alternative to Kibana and browser-based tools for developers and DevOps teams.

Why Use an Elasticsearch Desktop Client?

While Kibana is the standard web UI for Elasticsearch, a dedicated desktop client offers distinct advantages:

⚡ Performance & Speed

• Fast Native App: < 2 seconds startup vs. 10-30s for Kibana, uses ~100-200 MB RAM vs. 500 MB+ for browser tools
• Direct API Access: No proxy layers or middleware latency

💾 Developer-Focused Features

• JSON5 with Comments: Write queries like JavaScript objects (no double quotes), add // or /* */ comments inline, auto-format messy code
• Local-First Workflow: Queries saved as files, Git-friendly, works offline without active connection
• Multi-Cluster Switching: Instant context switching between environments
• Multi-Language & AI Support: Use in your preferred language with OpenAI integration for complex queries

🔒 Security & Privacy

• On-Premise & Air-Gap Compatible: Runs locally with no cloud dependencies or internet requirement
• Secure & Transparent: Encrypted credential storage with full open-source transparency

🎥 See DocKit in Action

Watch a complete walkthrough of DocKit's installation and Elasticsearch features:

Video covers:

• Quick installation and setup process
• Connecting to Elasticsearch clusters
• Developer-friendly features in action (JSON5, comments, auto-formatting)
• Cluster management and advanced features

Key Features of DocKit Elasticsearch Client

🛠️ Dev Tools Interface

Professional query editor powered by Monaco (VS Code engine):

GET /products/_search
{
  "query": {
    "bool": {
      "must": [
        {"match": {"category": "electronics"}},
        {"range": {"price": {"gte": 100, "lte": 500}}}
      ]
    }
  },
  "aggs": {
    "avg_price": {"avg": {"field": "price"}}
  }
}

Editor Features:

• JSON5 Syntax Support: Write queries like JavaScript - no need for strict JSON double quotes
• Inline Comments: Add // or /* */ comments directly in queries for documentation
• Syntax highlighting and validation
• Auto-completion for indices, fields, and Elasticsearch DSL
• Execute with Ctrl/Cmd + Enter
• Auto-indent and format/prettify JSON
• One-click copy of executable curl commands

JSON5 Example:

GET /products/_search
{
  query: {
    // Search for electronics under $500
    bool: {
      must: [
        {match: {category: 'electronics'}},  // No quotes needed!
        {range: {price: {gte: 100, lte: 500}}}
      ]
    }
  },
  /* Aggregate results by price */
  aggs: {
    avg_price: {avg: {field: 'price'}}
  }
}

💡 Why JSON5 matters: Standard JSON requires double quotes everywhere and doesn't allow comments, making queries harder to read and maintain. DocKit's JSON5 support makes query writing feel natural and allows you to document your queries inline.

📊 Index Management

Comprehensive index operations:

• Browse Indices: View all indices with stats (docs, size, health)
• Mappings & Settings: View and edit index configurations
• Create/Delete Indices: Manage index lifecycle
• Index Templates: Create and manage templates
• Aliases: Manage index aliases
• Reindexing: Move data between indices

📈 Cluster Monitoring

Real-time cluster health and performance:

• Cluster Health: Green/Yellow/Red status indicators
• Node Information: CPU, memory, disk usage per node
• Shard Allocation: Visual shard distribution
• Task Management: Monitor long-running operations
• Index Statistics: Document counts, storage size, query performance

🔍 Visual Query Builder

Build queries without writing JSON:

• Select index from dropdown
• Add filters using UI forms
• Type-aware field inputs
• Preview generated query
• One-click execution

Perfect for non-experts or quick explorations.

📦 Bulk Operations

Efficient data management:

• Import: Load JSON/CSV files into Elasticsearch
• Export: Save query results to files
• Bulk Update: Modify multiple documents
• Bulk Delete: Remove documents by query
• Progress Tracking: Monitor large operations

🌐 Multi-Cluster Support

Manage multiple Elasticsearch clusters:

• Save unlimited connection profiles
• Color-coded environment labels (dev/staging/prod)
• Quick switch between clusters
• Run same query across multiple environments
• Supports all authentication methods:
  • Basic Auth (username/password)
  • API Keys
  • Client Certificates
  • No Auth (local development)

🤖 AI Query Assistant

Unique AI-powered features:

• Natural Language to Query: "Find all orders from last week over $100"
• Query Explanation: Understand complex queries in plain English
• Performance Suggestions: Get recommendations for slow queries
• Error Debugging: AI helps diagnose and fix query errors

Elasticsearch GUI Client Comparison

Feature	DocKit	Kibana	Elasticvue	Dejavu
Price	Free (OSS)	Free (Basic)	Free (OSS)	Free (OSS)
Platform	Desktop	Web	Web/Browser Ext	Web
Dev Tools	✅ Monaco	✅	✅ Basic	❌
Query Builder	✅	⚠️ Limited	✅	✅
Offline Mode	✅	❌	❌	❌
Query Persistence	✅ Files	✅ Saved Queries	❌	❌
Index Management	✅	✅	✅	✅
Cluster Monitoring	✅	✅ Advanced	✅	❌
Visualizations	⚠️ Basic	✅ Advanced	❌	❌
Dashboards	❌	✅	❌	❌
AI Assistant	✅	❌	❌	❌
Multi-Database	✅ (ES+OS+Dynamo)	❌ ES only	❌ ES only	❌ ES only
Memory Usage	~150 MB	~500 MB+	~200 MB	~150 MB
Startup Time	< 2s	10-30s	< 5s	< 5s

Who Should Use DocKit for Elasticsearch?

Perfect for:

• Backend Developers querying Elasticsearch daily
• DevOps Engineers managing multiple clusters
• Data Engineers building search pipelines
• QA Teams validating search functionality
• Solo Developers who don't need Kibana's complexity
• Teams needing lightweight, fast query execution

When to use Kibana instead:

• Building visualizations and dashboards for stakeholders
• Setting up alerting and monitoring workflows
• Using Kibana-exclusive features (Lens, Canvas, etc.)
• Need APM or log monitoring integrations

When to use Elasticvue:

• Prefer browser extension over desktop app
• Need quick cluster overview without installation
• Want something lighter than Kibana

Getting Started with DocKit

1. Download & Install

→ Download DocKit

Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.

2. Connect to Elasticsearch

Local Elasticsearch (no auth):

Host: http://localhost:9200

Production cluster (Basic Auth):

Host: https://es.example.com:9200
Username: elastic
Password: ••••••••

API Key Authentication:

Host: https://es.example.com:9200
API Key: VnVhQ2ZHY0JDZGJrU...

3. Start Querying

1. Browse Indices: View all indices in the left sidebar
2. Open Dev Tools: Write queries using the editor
3. Run Queries: Execute with Cmd/Ctrl + Enter
4. View Results: Formatted, syntax-highlighted responses
5. Save Queries: Automatically persisted to local files

Common Use Cases

Use Case 1: Log Search & Analysis

Query application logs efficiently:

GET /logs-*/_search
{
  "query": {
    "bool": {
      "must": [
        {"match": {"level": "ERROR"}},
        {"range": {"@timestamp": {"gte": "now-1h"}}}
      ]
    }
  },
  "sort": [{"@timestamp": "desc"}]
}

DocKit Advantage: Save as "Recent Errors" and rerun with one click.

Use Case 2: E-commerce Product Search

Test search relevance:

GET /products/_search
{
  "query": {
    "multi_match": {
      "query": "wireless headphones",
      "fields": ["title^3", "description", "brand^2"]
    }
  }
}

DocKit Advantage: Use AI assistant to explain relevance scoring.

Use Case 3: Multi-Environment Testing

Scenario: Run same query on dev, staging, and production

DocKit Workflow:

1. Save connection profiles for each environment
2. Write query once
3. Switch cluster → Run query → Compare results
4. No need to modify connection strings

Use Case 4: Index Migration

Reindex with transformation:

POST /_reindex
{
  "source": {
    "index": "old-products"
  },
  "dest": {
    "index": "new-products"
  },
  "script": {
    "source": "ctx._source.price = ctx._source.price * 1.1"
  }
}

DocKit Advantage: Monitor reindexing progress in real-time.

Elasticsearch Version Compatibility

DocKit is designed to support Elasticsearch from version 1.x onwards, using standard Elasticsearch REST APIs. The client is not bound to specific versions and should work seamlessly across different Elasticsearch releases.

Tested with:

• Elasticsearch 1.x - 9.x
• Both Elastic License and Apache 2.0 licensed versions

If you encounter any compatibility issues with your Elasticsearch version, please report them on GitHub — we're committed to maintaining broad version support.

For OpenSearch (the open-source fork), see OpenSearch GUI page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DocKit work with Elasticsearch 9.x?

Yes! DocKit fully supports Elasticsearch 9.x, including API key authentication and the latest query DSL.

Is DocKit a Kibana replacement?

For querying and index management, yes. For visualizations and dashboards, no. Many teams use both.

Can I export query results?

DocKit provides a comprehensive Import/Export module where you can export data and schemas in multiple formats. This dedicated module offers more control and options than simple result exports — visit the Import/Export section to export data as you need.

Is DocKit safe for production clusters?

Yes. DocKit uses official Elasticsearch client libraries and respects all cluster security settings. Always use read-only credentials for safety.

Where are connection credentials stored?

Credentials are encrypted and stored locally on your machine. They never leave your device.

Additional Resources

• Installation Guide - Setup instructions
• Connect to Elasticsearch - Configuration details
• Cluster Management - Index and cluster operations
• GitHub Repository - Source code and issues

Try DocKit for Elasticsearch Today

Experience a faster, more developer-friendly way to work with Elasticsearch. Download DocKit and streamline your search workflow.

Download DocKit Now — Free, open-source, and ready to use.

No registration. No credit card. Just download and go.