# Skipper — Visual ORM Designer

> Skipper is a visual ORM designer with full AI automation support. It supports Doctrine 2, Laravel Eloquent, MongoDB ODM, Propel, CakePHP, Knex.js, and custom ORM frameworks. Developers and AI coding assistants can create, import, edit, validate, and export ORM schema definitions through both a graphical desktop editor and a headless CLI with structured JSON output. Skipper runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is used by 5,000+ companies including Apple, Avast, eBay, and Lidl.

For complete documentation in a single file, see: https://www.skipper18.com/llms-full.txt

Skipper replaces manual writing of ORM definition files with visual modeling. Developers import an existing database or codebase, edit entities, fields, associations, indexes, and inheritances in a visual ERD diagram, and export standardized ORM definitions directly — no hand-coding required. The tool eliminates syntax errors through smart wizards and validators, and supports repeatable import-edit-export cycles.

Supported ORM frameworks: Doctrine 2 (XML, YML, Annotations), Doctrine (YML), Laravel Eloquent (migrations, model classes), MongoDB ODM (XML, YML, Annotations), Propel (XML, YML), CakePHP, Knex.js (migrations), Hibernate (Annotations), and fully customizable frameworks via XSLT templates.

Supported databases for reverse-engineering: MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server.

Key capabilities: visual ERD editor, one-click code generation, database reverse-engineering, migration management, module sharing across projects, project import from existing code, customizable export templates (XSLT), Gedmo extensions for Doctrine 2, PSR-compliant output.

Skipper is fully AI-ready. It includes a headless CLI with 13 verbs and 35 structured patch operations, designed for AI coding assistants (Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, etc.) and CI/CD pipelines. AI agents can read project schemas as JSON, create/update/remove any object (entities, fields, associations, indexes, many-to-many, inheritance, modules, regions, comments, ORM attributes), validate projects, export framework-specific code, reverse-engineer databases, compare project versions, and manage migrations — all through machine-readable JSON input/output with structured error codes.

Free 14-day trial available. Lifetime license: $495/€495.

## Product

- [Features](https://www.skipper18.com/en/features): Visual modeling, code generation, import/export, customization, and productivity features
- [Download](https://www.skipper18.com/en/download): Free 14-day trial for Windows, macOS, and Linux — no credit card required
- [Pricing](https://www.skipper18.com/en/pricing): Lifetime license $495, maintenance $169/year, academic discounts available
- [Video Tutorials](https://www.skipper18.com/en/video-tutorials): 10 how-to videos covering import, export, visual model, associations, and more
- [Customer Stories](https://www.skipper18.com/en/our-customers): Case studies and reviews from 5,000+ companies

## Supported Frameworks

- [Doctrine 2](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/doctrine2): Visual editor for Doctrine 2 ORM — import/export YML, XML, Annotations
- [Laravel Eloquent](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/laravel): Visual designer for Laravel — export migrations and model classes
- [MongoDB ODM](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/mongodb): Visual editor for MongoDB ODM — import/export YML, XML, Annotations
- [Doctrine](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/doctrine): Visual editor for Doctrine 1 ORM — import/export YML definitions
- [Propel](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/propel): Visual editor for Propel ORM — import/export YML and XML
- [CakePHP](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/cakephp): Visual editor for CakePHP ORM definitions
- [Knex.js](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/knexjs): Visual editor for Knex.js — export migration files
- [Custom ORM](https://www.skipper18.com/en/frameworks/customized-orm): Configure Skipper for any ORM framework via XSLT templates

## Documentation

- [Product Tour](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/product-tour): Step-by-step overview of the import-edit-export workflow
- [Creating New Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/project-new): How to start a new ORM project from scratch
- [Importing Existing Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/project-import): Import existing ORM definitions into Skipper
- [Database Import](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/database-import): Reverse-engineer a visual model from MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, or SQL Server
- [Editing Model](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/editing-model): Edit entities, fields, associations, and properties in the visual editor
- [Exporting Definitions](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/getting-started/project-export): Export ORM definitions as XML, YML, or Annotations
- [Supported Frameworks](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/basic-information/supported-frameworks): Full list of supported ORM frameworks and MVC combinations
- [Supported Databases](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/basic-information/supported-databases): Database engines supported for import
- [Supported Platforms](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/basic-information/supported-platforms): Windows, macOS, and Linux system requirements

## Framework Tutorials

- [Doctrine 2 — New Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/doctrine2/doctrine2-project-new): Create a new Doctrine 2 project in Skipper
- [Doctrine 2 — Import](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/doctrine2/doctrine2-project-import): Import existing Doctrine 2 definitions
- [Laravel — New Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/laravel/laravel-project-new): Create a new Laravel Eloquent project
- [Laravel — Import](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/laravel/laravel-project-import): Import existing Laravel database
- [MongoDB ODM — New Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/mongoDbOdm/mongoDbOdm-project-new): Create a new MongoDB ODM project
- [Propel — New Project](https://www.skipper18.com/help/framework-tutorials/propel/propel-project-new): Create a new Propel project

## Customization

- [Configuration Files](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/customization/configuration-files): Overview of Skipper configuration and customization
- [Extending ORM Attributes](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/customization/extending-orm-attributes): Add custom properties to entities, fields, and associations
- [Extending Templates](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/customization/extending-templates): Customize XSLT export templates for your project
- [New Framework Support](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/customization/new-framework-support): Add support for a new ORM framework

## Comparison Studies

- [Skipper vs MySQL Workbench](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/comparison-studies/mysql-workbench): Comparison of Skipper with MySQL Workbench for ORM design
- [Skipper vs Enterprise Architect](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/comparison-studies/enterprise-architect): Comparison of Skipper with Enterprise Architect
- [Skipper vs SQLyog/HeidiSQL](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/comparison-studies/sql-yog): Comparison with database administration tools

## Optional

- [Shared Modules](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/application-concepts/shared-modules): Share entity modules across multiple projects
- [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/timesavers/shortcuts): Productivity shortcuts for faster modeling
- [External Tools](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/timesavers/external-tools): Integrate third-party tools with Skipper
- [MySQL Workbench Import](https://www.skipper18.com/help/how-to-use/third-party-apps/mysql-workbench): Import MySQL Workbench models into Skipper
- [Template Library](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/customization/template-library): Browse and use export template library
- [XSLT Reference](https://www.skipper18.com/help/expert-usage/reference-manual/xslt-reference): XSLT template reference for export customization
- [License FAQ](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/faq/license-questions): Licensing and activation questions
- [Purchase FAQ](https://www.skipper18.com/help/general-information/faq/purchase-questions): Payment and ordering questions
- [About Us](https://www.skipper18.com/en/contact/our-voyage): Company history and the team behind Skipper
- [Contact](https://www.skipper18.com/en/contact): Get in touch with the Skipper team