Install postgresql gem `pg` on macOS

install_pg_gem.md

Installing pg gem on macOS

If you're trying to install the postgresql gem pg and it is failing with the following error message:

Installing pg 1.2.3 with native extensions
Gem::Ext::BuildError: ERROR: Failed to build gem native extension.

    current directory: ~/.rbenv/versions/3.0.0/lib/ruby/gems/3.0.0/gems/pg-1.2.3/ext
~/.rbenv/versions/3.0.0/bin/ruby -I ~/.rbenv/versions/3.0.0/lib/ruby/3.0.0 -r ./siteconf20210125-97201-pycpo.rb extconf.rb
checking for pg_config... no
No pg_config... trying anyway. If building fails, please try again with
 --with-pg-config=/path/to/pg_config
checking for libpq-fe.h... no
Can't find the 'libpq-fe.h header

The following helped me resolve the issue without having to install the entire postgresql as recommended in the stop Stack Overflow post (already using it in a Docker container):

1. brew install libpq
2. gem install pg -- --with-pg-config=/usr/local/opt/libpq/bin/pg_config

gem install pg -- --with-pg-config=/opt/homebrew/opt/libpq/bin/pg_config

You may need to do a user-level install depending on permissions.

 gem install pg --user-install -- --with-pg-config=/opt/homebrew/opt/libpq/bin/pg_config

works for me.

Switching the ruby version worked for me
rbenv global 3.2.2
sudo chown -R $(whoami) ~/.rbenv
gem install pg

Merci!!

gem install pg -- --with-pg-config=/usr/local/opt/libpq/bin/pg_config
worked for me! Using Apple M3 Pro

Got it to work with:

brew install libpq
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH="/opt/homebrew/opt/libpq/lib/pkgconfig"

for macOS Sonoma (Apple M2 Max).