Best for
- Analysts and developers exploring PostgreSQL data through natural language
- Teams exposing schema and query access through a dedicated read-only account
P
PostgreSQL MCP Server
Official
Archived
Read-only DB access for safe analysis
GitHub source repository ↗
68FMRS · C
The read-only interface reduces destructive risk, but database credentials, sensitive query results, and query load still need controls; no live database handshake is recorded yet.
This server connects to PostgreSQL in read-only mode and exposes schema information alongside query access. It helps models write and explain SQL without modifying production data, making it useful for analysis and troubleshooting.
Tools
query
Run a read-only SQL query
list_schemas
List all schemas in the database
list_tables
List tables in a selected schema
describe_table
Inspect a table's columns and data types
Setup
Pass a PostgreSQL connection string as a startup argument. Use a dedicated read-only database account.
claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"postgres": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres",
"postgresql://readonly:pwd@localhost/db"
]
}
}
}
Fit and risk
Not for
- Workflows that require writes, migrations, or database administration
- Sensitive databases whose query results cannot enter a third-party model context
Required permissions
- Network access to PostgreSQL
- A dedicated read-only account with SELECT access to the intended schemas
Risks and side effects
- Query results may contain personal or business-sensitive data
- Complex read queries can still consume significant resources; use timeouts and a read replica
Troubleshooting
- Test the same connection string with psql
- Check firewall rules, SSL mode, and PostgreSQL listen addresses
- Confirm the account has schema USAGE and table SELECT privileges
Use cases
Generate reporting queries from natural-language requests
Investigate slow queries and missing indexes
Help new team members understand the database schema
Supported clients
Claude DesktopFull support
CursorFull support
ClinePartial support