Install PostgreSQL on Debian

Adding PostgreSQL Repositories

There are multiple ways to add the PostgreSQL repository. Select one.

Use the Automated Configuration Script

sudo apt install -y postgresql-common
sudo /usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg/apt.postgresql.org.sh

Add Manually

sudo apt install curl ca-certificates
sudo install -d /usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg
sudo curl -o /usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg/apt.postgresql.org.asc --fail https://www.postgresql.org/media/keys/ACCC4CF8.asc
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg/apt.postgresql.org.asc] https://apt.postgresql.org/pub/repos/apt $(lsb_release -cs)-pgdg main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pgdg.list'

Note for LXC: lsb_release -cs may not resolve automatically. Specify the distro manually. For Debian 12:

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg/apt.postgresql.org.asc] https://apt.postgresql.org/pub/repos/apt bookworm-pgdg main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/pgdg.list'

Update the source list:

sudo apt update

Installation

Install the latest version:

sudo apt install postgresql

Or install a specific version:

sudo apt install postgresql-[version]

Enable and verify the service:

sudo systemctl enable postgresql.service
sudo systemctl start postgresql.service
sudo systemctl status postgresql.service

Connect using the default postgres user:

sudo -u postgres psql

You’ll see the prompt:

postgres=#

Set a strong password for the default user:

\password postgres

References

• PostgreSQL: Linux downloads (Debian)