Here's a **PostgreSQL Cheat Sheet** for both **CLI (`psql`)** and **Query Editor
(GUI tools like pgAdmin, TablePlus, or DBeaver)** use — from login to performing
essential operations.
---
## PART 1: PostgreSQL **CLI Cheat Sheet** (`psql`)
### ✅ 1. Login to PostgreSQL from Terminal
```bash
psql -U postgres
```
> `-U postgres` is the username. You’ll be prompted for the password.
If using a specific database:
```bash
psql -U postgres -d your_database_name
```
If your database is on another host/port:
```bash
psql -h localhost -p 5432 -U postgres -d your_database_name
```
---
### ✅ 2. Useful Meta Commands in `psql`
| Command | Description |
| -------------- | ----------------------------- |
| `\l` | List all databases |
| `\c dbname` | Connect to database |
| `\dt` | List all tables in current DB |
| `\d tablename` | Describe table structure |
| `\du` | List roles/users |
| `\q` | Quit `psql` |
---
### ✅ 3. Basic SQL Operations (inside `psql`)
```sql
-- Create a database
CREATE DATABASE walkman_db;
-- Switch database
\c walkman_db
-- Create a table
CREATE TABLE users (
id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
name VARCHAR(100),
email VARCHAR(100) UNIQUE,
created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Insert data
INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES ('Alice', '[email protected]');
-- Select data
SELECT * FROM users;
-- Update data
UPDATE users SET name = 'Alice Smith' WHERE id = 1;
-- Delete data
DELETE FROM users WHERE id = 1;
-- Drop table
DROP TABLE users;
```
---
## 🧩 PART 2: PostgreSQL **Query Editor (GUI Tools)** Cheat Sheet
### 📥 Connecting in GUI (pgAdmin, TablePlus, DBeaver)
* **Host**: `localhost`
* **Port**: `5432` (default)
* **User**: `postgres`
* **Password**: your password
* **Database**: `walkman_db` (or create one)
---
### 📋 Common Operations in GUI
| Operation | SQL Equivalent |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Create Table | `CREATE TABLE ...` |
| Insert Record | `INSERT INTO ...` |
| Browse Data | `SELECT * FROM ...` |
| Edit Rows Inline | GUI-specific |
| Run SQL Script | Paste SQL into Query Editor and click "Run" |
| Export Data | Right-click table > Export/Backup |
| Import Data | Right-click table > Import/Restore |
---
### 🧪 Sample SQL (Copy/Paste into Query Editor)
```sql
-- Create sample table
CREATE TABLE sample_db (
id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
name VARCHAR(50),
dob DATE
);
-- Insert dummy data
INSERT INTO sample_db (name, dob) VALUES
('James', '1990-05-12'),
('Alice', '1985-08-25'),
('Bob', '1993-03-30');
-- Query data
SELECT * FROM sample_db;
```
---
## 🛠 Tips for CLI Power Users
| Feature | Command
|
| ------------------------- |
------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Run SQL from file | `\i path/to/file.sql`
|
| Export to CSV | `\COPY (SELECT * FROM sample_db) TO 'output.csv' CSV
HEADER` |
| Pretty print | `\x` (toggle expanded output)
|
| Show query execution time | `\timing`
|
---
## ✅ To Exit `psql`:
```bash
\q
```
---
If you want, I can also generate **SQL files** or **Prisma schema mappings** based
on your schema needs.
