> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.prestd.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.prestd.com/get-started/prest-studio.md).

# pREST Studio

pREST Studio — embedded admin UI at /\_studio/ for catalog browsing, REST GET explorer, and MCP tools. Enabled by default in v2.2.0+.

Open **pREST Studio** at `/_studio/` on the same host as your API. Studio is an embedded, read-only admin and explorer UI shipped inside the `prestd` binary (v2.2.0+) — no separate frontend process.

```
http://localhost:3000/_studio/
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Introduced in [v2.2.0](/releases/v2.2.0.md) ([#990](https://github.com/prest/prest/pull/990)). Enabled by default.
{% endhint %}

***

## Enable or disable

| Setting                | Default | Effect      |
| ---------------------- | ------- | ----------- |
| `PREST_STUDIO_ENABLED` | `true`  | Env toggle  |
| `[studio] enabled`     | `true`  | TOML toggle |

```toml
[studio]
enabled = true
```

When disabled, `/_studio/` returns **404**.

Studio is a **same-origin** client of the existing REST and MCP APIs. It does not add a separate auth model — use **Set token** in the header for the same JWT your API expects. Bearer tokens stay in memory by default (optional per-tab `sessionStorage`). Theme toggle is in the header as well.

***

## Overview

Server status (health, ready, MCP), catalog counts, metadata from `/_studio/api/meta`, and quick links into the explorers.

![pREST Studio Overview](https://765165094-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FHJkYbb4ulvSU34tQANWH%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3d0b8873e89080b16f5f6d4e644f0a7bdf3808bf%2Fprest-studio-overview.png?alt=media)

***

## Data Explorer

Browse databases, schemas, and tables; inspect column structure; preview rows with filters and pagination. Marked **read-only** — copy the generated URL or `curl` when you need the same GET outside Studio.

![pREST Studio Data Explorer](https://765165094-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FHJkYbb4ulvSU34tQANWH%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ef26e65a2bb4d6935cddf5290f92b6cdcc533fac%2Fprest-studio-data-explorer.png?alt=media)

***

## REST Explorer

Build and run GET requests against the pREST API: set the path, add query parameters, **Send**, then inspect status, timing, and body. **Copy URL** and **Copy curl** for the constructed request.

![pREST Studio REST Explorer](https://765165094-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FHJkYbb4ulvSU34tQANWH%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1767f5b7d0b9693d33f071d8330f56dc57d96f07%2Fprest-studio-rest-explorer.png?alt=media)

***

## MCP Explorer

Connect to `/_mcp`, search and invoke tools with generated forms (or raw JSON), review results and in-memory history, and copy a ready-made config for AI clients (Claude, Cursor, and others).

![pREST Studio MCP Explorer](https://765165094-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FHJkYbb4ulvSU34tQANWH%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9f377682e15204af697748f0cf64372d484ec6c1%2Fprest-studio-mcp-explorer.png?alt=media)

***

## MVP limits

Studio does **not** (yet): mutate data, run a SQL editor, manage migrations or ACL UI, author MCP tools, or keep server-side request history.

For writes, use REST or [custom queries](/api-reference/custom-queries.md) when your deployment allows them.

***

## Related

* [v2.2.0 release notes](/releases/v2.2.0.md)
* [MCP over HTTP](/get-started/mcp-over-http.md)
* [Configuring pREST](/get-started/configuring-prest.md)
* [Auth](/api-reference/auth.md)
* [API Reference](/api-reference.md)
* [Acronyms](/readme/acronyms.md) · [REST](/readme/acronyms.md#rest) · [MCP](/readme/acronyms.md#mcp)