Connecting to PostgreSQL using the command line

This article describes how to connect to a PostgreSQL database from the command line using the psql program. You can use the psql program as a quick and easy way to access your databases directly.

psql is an interactive terminal that allows you to run PostgreSQL queries and examine the results. psql also has a number of meta-commands and shell-like capabilities that make building scripts and automating a range of activities easier.

Connecting to PostgreSQL using psql

To connect to PostgreSQL from the command line, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account using SSH.

2. At the command line, type the following command. Replace dbname with the name of the database, and username with the database username:

   Bash

   psql dbname username
   

3. At the Password prompt, type the database user's password. When you type the correct password, the psql prompt appears.

4. After you access a PostgreSQL database, you can run SQL queries and more. Here are some common psql commands:

   • To view help for psql commands, type \?.

   • To view help for SQL commands, type \h.

   • To view information about the current database connection, type \conninfo.

   • To list the database's tables and their respective owners, type \dt.

   • To list all of the tables, views, and sequences in the database, type \z.

   • To exit the psql program, type \q.

More information

• To view the online documentation for psql in PostgreSQL 8.4, please visit http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.4/static/app-psql.html.

• To view the online documentation for psql in PostgreSQL 9.1, please visit http://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.1/static/app-psql.html.

Related articles

• Creating a PostgreSQL installation for local testing

• Importing and exporting a PostgreSQL database

• Managing PostgreSQL databases and users

• Managing PostgreSQL databases and users from the command line