How To
How-to guides
Step-by-step guides for getting the most out of WebF1 DataPad. The in-app Help and the MCP help tools read these same articles, so the three surfaces cannot disagree.
Basics
Connections and data
- Connections A connection names a database and tells DataPad how to read its schema. DataPad runs your scripts against the connection you select in the editor header.
- Navigation Navigation properties let you walk from a record to the records related to it, and read the related records inline, without writing a join.
- JSON columns A text column can hold JSON documents. DataPad marks it in the schema tree with a **JSON** badge and a nested graph of its declared structure, and it renders each cell's document as a `{ } JSON` chip you can drill into.
Scripts and results
- Scripts A script is C# you write in the middle pane and run against a connection. DataPad compiles and executes only the script you typed; the object model it runs against is generated from the attached connection's schema.
- Results grid Every `Dump()` call adds a block to the output pane, in call order, and each block renders the result in its own shape.
- Packages A script can use NuGet packages, and DataPad resolves and restores them before a run.
Settings and security
- Settings **View → Settings** opens the Settings dialog. Its sidebar selects one section: **Themes**, **License**, **Encryption**, **Backup**, **Shortcuts**, and **MCP server**. Each section is described in its own topic; this topic is the map.
- Themes and accents DataPad ships three themes and eight accent colours. **View → Settings → Themes** controls both, and the toolbar's theme switcher changes the theme without opening Settings.
- Shortcuts **Settings → Shortcuts** lets you remap the three script shortcuts. Each row shows the action, its current chord, and a **Change…** control; a per-action **Reset** and **Reset all shortcuts** restore the defaults.
- Encryption and backup Connections at rest — the stored connection strings — can be encrypted with a phrase, and the whole app data folder can be backed up with one control. Both live in Settings.
- Licensing DataPad runs without a licence, and a **Pro** licence unlocks the capabilities listed below. Your tier and your key are shown in **Settings → License**.
- MCP server DataPad can run a local Model Context Protocol (MCP) server so an AI agent on the same machine can read your connections and scripts and answer questions about using DataPad. The server is off by default and **Pro**-gated.
- Troubleshooting DataPad surfaces real errors instead of generic messages. When something fails, the UI shows a structured error with the error **code**, the real **message**, the **channel** it came from, and a **detail** line naming the exact state.