---
sidebar_position: 12
title: Detach and re-attach a MotherDuck database
description: Temporarily disconnect from a MotherDuck database using DETACH and reconnect with ATTACH.
---
import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
After [creating a remote MotherDuck database](/sql-reference/motherduck-sql-reference/create-database.md),
the [`DETACH` command](/sql-reference/motherduck-sql-reference/detach.md) may be used to detach it.
This will prevent access and modifications to the database until it is re-attached using the [`ATTACH` command](/sql-reference/motherduck-sql-reference/attach.md).
This pattern can be used to isolate queries and changes to a specific set of databases.
Note that this is a convenience feature and not a security feature, as a MotherDuck database may be reattached at any time.
Database shares behave slightly differently than non-shared databases, so if you want to `ATTACH` and `DETACH` shares, please have a look at how to [manage shared MotherDuck databases](/key-tasks/sharing-data/sharing-data.mdx).
## Creating, detaching, and re-attaching a database
This guide will show how to `CREATE`, `DETACH`, and `ATTACH` a database using the CLI and the UI.
```sql
CREATE DATABASE my_new_md_database;
DETACH my_new_md_database;
ATTACH 'my_new_md_database';
-- OR
ATTACH 'md:my_new_md_database';
```
To create a database, add a new cell and enter the SQL command `CREATE DATABASE `.
Click the Run button.
Click on the menu of the database you would like to detach and select `Detach`.
The database will be moved to the "Detached Databases" section of the object explorer.
To re-attach, click on the menu of the database in the "Detached Databases" section and select `Attach`.
The database will be returned to the "My Databases" section.
## Show All Databases
To see all databases, both attached and detached, use the [`SHOW ALL DATABASES` command](/sql-reference/motherduck-sql-reference/show-databases.md).
```sql
SHOW ALL DATABASES;
```
Example output:
```bash
┌──────────────────────────────────────────┬─────────────┬──────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ alias │ is_attached │ type │ fully_qualified_name │
│ varchar │ boolean │ varchar │ varchar │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┼─────────────┼──────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ TEST_DB_02d6fc2158094bd693b6f285dbd402f7 │ true │ motherduck │ md:TEST_DB_02d6fc2158094bd693b6f285dbd402f7 │
│ TEST_DB_62b53d968a4f4b6682ed117a7251b814 │ true │ motherduck │ md:TEST_DB_62b53d968a4f4b6682ed117a7251b814 │
│ base │ false │ motherduck │ md:base │
│ base2 │ true │ motherduck │ md:base2 │
│ db1 │ false │ motherduck │ md:db1 │
│ integration_test_001 │ false │ motherduck │ md:integration_test_001 │
│ my_db │ true │ motherduck │ md:my_db │
│ my_share_1 │ true │ motherduck share │ md:_share/integration_test_001/18d6dbdb-e130-4cdf-97c4-60782ed5972b │
│ sample_data │ false │ motherduck │ md:sample_data │
│ source_db │ true │ motherduck │ md:source_db │
│ test_db_115 │ false │ motherduck │ md:test_db_115 │
│ test_db_28d │ false │ motherduck │ md:test_db_28d │
│ test_db_cc9 │ false │ motherduck │ md:test_db_cc9 │
│ test_share │ true │ motherduck share │ md:_share/source_db/b990b424-2f9a-477a-b216-680a22c3f43f │
│ test_share_002 │ true │ motherduck share │ md:_share/integration_test_001/06cc5500-e49a-4f62-9203-105e89a4b8ae │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┴─────────────┴──────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 15 rows (15 shown) 4 columns │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```