One way to increase productivity with the SQL editor would be to prompt the user for input where variables have been defined. Several times I have to run the same query multiple times, but with different input.

Example:

select * from PRODUCT m
where m.CATEGORY_ID = :categoryId
  and m.MANUFACTURER_ID in (:manufIds)
  and m.DESCRIPTION like ?

The user running the query might be prompted with a form like the following:

(name or index)  (combo-box of types)  (combo-box with history in drop-down)
categoryId       [java.lang.Long    ]  [ 101                ]
manufIds         [java.lang.Long    ]  [ 254, 789, 123, 893 ]
Parameter #3     [java.lang.String  ]  [ %cotton%           ]