Metabase Setup & Connection Guide

This guide explains how to run Metabase using Docker Compose, connect it to the CtrlB Postgres database, execute SQL queries, and create dashboards with charts.

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1. Running Metabase Using Docker Compose

Create a directory for Metabase (optional):

mkdir metabase && cd metabase

Create a docker-compose.yaml file:

services:
  metabase:
    image: metabase/metabase
    container_name: metabase
    ports:
      - 3000:3000
    volumes:
      - /var/lib/metabase:/metabase-data
    environment:
      - MB_DB_FILE=/metabase-data/metabase.db
    restart: unless-stopped

Start Metabase:

docker compose up -d

Check that Metabase is running:

docker ps

Open Metabase in your browser:

http://localhost:3000

On first launch, Metabase will prompt you to create an admin account.

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2. Connecting Metabase to the CtrlB Database

You can add the CtrlB Postgres database connection either during the initial setup wizard or later from:

Settings → Admin → Databases → Add database

Enter the Database Credentials:

Field	Value
Name
Database Type	PostgreSQL
Host	<INSTANCE URL/IP> provided or host.docker.internal (if the engine is running on the same host)
Port	5432
Database Name	default
Username	postgres
Password	<Credential provided>

Click Save to test and store the connection.

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3. Running a SQL Query in Metabase

To run SQL queries:

Click New → Select SQL query → And Select your database

Write your SQL Query and Click on Run

SELECT createdat, internalvoltage FROM device_heartbeats WHERE deviceid = 76;

Additional Filtering

SELECT *
FROM device_heartbeats
WHERE deviceid = 73;

Filter by time:

SELECT *
FROM device_heartbeats
WHERE _timestamp >= 1690000000000000;

Here _timestamp is stored in Unix microseconds.

Visualisation

To see charts for the query Click on the visualisation button

And Select your desired type of chart

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4. Creating Dashboards & Charts

Metabase allows you to convert SQL query results into visual charts and add them to dashboards.

Creating a Dashboard

1. Click New → Dashboard
2. Give your dashboard a name and save it
3. You can now add cards (visualisations) into it

Using Saved SQL Queries or Creating New Ones

Inside the dashboard:

• Click Add a Chart

  

• From the Side Bar you can choose from:

  • Use a saved SQL query, or

  • Write a new SQL query

    

  • Then Click on the chart icon to visualise the graph

    

Building a Chart

1. Select the chart type you want (line, bar, area, etc.)

2. Use drag‑and‑drop to map:

   • X‑axis: e.g., createdat
   • Y‑axis: e.g., internalvoltage etc.

3. Once satisfied, click Save.

   

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5. Managing the Metabase Container

Stop Metabase:

docker compose down

Update Metabase:

docker pull metabase/metabase
docker compose up -d