Connect with psql

The following instructions require a working installation of psql. The psql client is the native command-line client for PostgreSQL. It provides an interactive session for sending commands to PostgreSQL and running ad-hoc queries. For more information about psql, refer to the psql reference, in the PostgreSQL Documentation.

note

A Neon compute instance runs PostgreSQL, which means that any PostgreSQL application or standard utility such as psql is compatible with Neon. You can also use PostgreSQL client libraries and drivers to connect. However, please be aware that some older client libraries and drivers, including older psql executables, are built without Server Name Indication (SNI) support and require a workaround. For more information, see Connect from older clients.

Neon also provides a passwordless auth feature that uses psql. For more information, see Passwordless auth.

The easiest way to connect to Neon using psql is with a connection string.

You can obtain a connection string from the Connection Details widget on the Neon Dashboard. Select a branch, a role, and the database you want to connect to. A connection string is constructed for you.

Connection details widget

From your terminal or command prompt, run the psql client with the connection string copied from the Neon Dashboard, but be sure to add your password, as shown:

psql postgres://daniel:<password>@ep-restless-rice.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech/neondb

Where do I obtain a password?

You can obtain a Neon connection string with your password from the Neon Dashboard, under Connection Details.

What port does Neon use?

Neon uses the default PostgreSQL port, 5432. If you need to specify the port in your connection string, you can do so as follows:

psql postgres://daniel:<password>@ep-restless-rice.us-east-2.aws.neon.tech:5432/neondb

Running queries

After establishing a connection, try running the following queries:

CREATE TABLE my_table AS SELECT now();
SELECT * FROM my_table;

The following result set is returned:

SELECT 1
              now
-------------------------------
 2022-09-11 23:12:15.083565+00
(1 row)

Need help?

Send a request to support@neon.tech, or join the Neon community forum.