Developer's new-to-PSQL cheat sheet

psql-cheat-sheet.md

PSQL cheat sheet

Starting it (examples)

Command (shell)	Does this
psql	Starts psql connected to your own user's database
psql -d <database>	Starts psql connected to the given <database>
cat some.sql | psql -d <database>	Runs the SQL script in some.sql on <database>

Getting out

An arcane way of quitting is the hallmark of a wonderful tool

Command	Does this
\q	Quit

Basic help

Your cheatsheet, it is not complete

Command	Does this
\?	Show PSQL commands
\h	Show SQL commands
\h <command>	Get help for a SQL command

Common things

Why are the first things a dev wants to do so hard to find?

Command	Does this
\l	List all databases
\connect <database>	Change to another database (shortcut \c)
\dt	Show all tables in the current database
\d <table>	Describe a table's columns
\di	Show all indices in the current database

Editing queries

Set your EDITOR environmental variable. Then use \e to edit the last query you entered, or start a new one if you haven't run a query yet. When you save and quit your query will run if it parses. If not, your inadequacies will be pointed out to you by a machine.

Awesome things that should be your default

Command	Does this
\x auto	Displays query results so as not to overflow the screen when it can (will use a dictionary style for a single row)
\timing	Toggle query timings on (off by default)