GQL queries are executed as real-time operations. Results are returned to the client once execution is complete and are not stored on the server. The system tracks all running queries and provides commands to list and cancel them.
Lists all currently running queries across all connections. This command is never blocked by concurrency limits.
GQLSHOW QUERIES -- Equivalent TOP QUERIES -- Shorthand TOP
Returns a table with the following columns:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
query_id | The unique identifier of the query (e.g., q1, q2). |
query_text | The query text, truncated to 100 characters. |
start_time | The time the query started executing. |
duration_ms | How long the query has been running, in milliseconds. |
status | Current state of the query: running or canceling. |
Cancels a running query by its ID. The query transitions to canceling status and stops at the next cancellation checkpoint.
GQLKILL QUERY 'q1'
Use SHOW QUERIES to find the query_id of the query you want to cancel.
Shows the execution plan for a query without running it. Returns a QUERY PLAN column with the estimated cost, rows, and operations.
GQLEXPLAIN MATCH (n)-[]->(m) RETURN n, m
Result:
| QUERY PLAN |
|---|
| Execution Plan: Estimated Cost: 7 Estimated Rows: 7 Operations: 1. MATCH (1 patterns) [cost: 1000] 2. RETURN (2 items) [cost: 100] |
Output format can be specified with EXPLAIN (FORMAT <format>):
GQL-- Tree format with hierarchical visualization EXPLAIN (FORMAT TREE) MATCH (n)-[]->(m) RETURN n, m -- JSON format with structured plan data EXPLAIN (FORMAT JSON) MATCH (n)-[]->(m) RETURN n, m
EXPLAIN ANALYZE executes the query and returns actual execution metrics alongside the plan:
GQLEXPLAIN ANALYZE MATCH (n)-[]->(m) RETURN n, m
EXPLAIN OPTIMIZER shows which optimizer rules were applied to the query:
GQLEXPLAIN OPTIMIZER MATCH (n)-[]->(m) RETURN n, m
Certain operations run as background tasks, such as algorithm execution. Tasks are tracked by the server and can be monitored, stopped, or deleted.
List all tasks:
GQLSHOW TASKS
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
task_id | Unique task identifier (e.g., task_550e8400-...). |
type | Task type: algorithm, import, or export. |
query | The query or command that created the task. |
status | Current status: pending, running, completed, failed, or cancelled. |
started_at | When the task started executing. |
progress | Completion percentage (0–100). |
Show a specific task:
GQLSHOW TASK 'task_550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000'
Cancel a running task:
GQLSTOP 'task_550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000'
Remove a task from the registry and delete its result files:
GQLDELETE TASK 'task_550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000'
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Query timeout | 30 seconds (driver) | The query timeout is set by the client driver (default 30 seconds). If the client sends no timeout, the server falls back to its -default-timeout flag (default 5 minutes). |
| Read concurrency slots | 16 | Maximum concurrent read queries (e.g., MATCH, aggregations). |
| Write concurrency slots | 4 | Maximum concurrent write queries (e.g., INSERT, DELETE, SET). |
When all slots are occupied, new queries block until a slot becomes available or the query context is cancelled. Management commands (SHOW QUERIES, KILL QUERY, EXPLAIN) bypass the concurrency limits and always respond immediately.
