To start sqlite:
 
 $ sqlite3 <database file name>

To show the tables in a database:

  sqlite> .tables

To show the schema of a table:

  sqlite> .schema employee

Examples:

 $ sqlite3 mydata.db
       SQLite version 3.1.3
       Enter ".help" for instructions
       sqlite> create table memos(text, priority INTEGER);
       sqlite> insert into memos values('deliver project description', 10);
       sqlite> insert into memos values('lunch with Christine', 100);
       sqlite> select * from memos;
       deliver project description|10
       lunch with Christine|100
       sqlite>

$ sqlite3 example.db
SQLite version 3.7.13 2012-07-17 17:46:21
Enter ".help" for instructions
Enter SQL statements terminated with a ";"
sqlite> create table employee(ss PRIMARY KEY, name);
sqlite> .tables
employee
sqlite> .schema employee
CREATE TABLE employee(ss PRIMARY KEY, name);
sqlite> insert into employee values(12345, 'Robert');
sqlite> insert into employee values(67890, 'Jim');
sqlite> select * from employee;
12345|Robert
67890|Jim