Pgcli Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Pgcli Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) lets you manage database permissions directly in your command-line workflow. Pgcli is a modern PostgreSQL CLI with auto-completion, syntax highlighting, and intelligent output formatting. Combine it with RBAC, and you can define exactly who can run which commands, on which tables, at what time.
RBAC in Pgcli works by mapping database roles to specific privileges. A role can be a single user or a group of users. Permissions link roles to actions: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, or more advanced operations like CREATE SCHEMA or EXECUTE FUNCTIONS. This keeps control tight and auditable.
To set up RBAC with Pgcli:
- Create Roles in PostgreSQL using
CREATE ROLE role_name;. - Assign Privileges with
GRANT SELECT ON table_name TO role_name;. - Map Users to Roles using
GRANT role_name TO user_name;. - Confirm access by running queries. Pgcli’s clean output makes it easy to see if privileges are correct.
Use Pgcli to connect as specific roles:
pgcli -U role_user -d database_name
For complex systems, you can maintain separate roles for read-only access, data modification, and admin tasks. Pgcli’s enhanced usability means switching roles or connections is faster than in psql, reducing human error in permission management.
Security benefits come from least privilege. RBAC ensures each role has only the permissions it needs. Pgcli’s quick switching supports strict separation between environments—production stays safe, development stays flexible.
Performance gains are indirect but real. By reducing accidental heavy queries from unprivileged accounts, RBAC preserves server resources. Pgcli’s responsive UI makes even restricted accounts feel fast.
If your PostgreSQL work demands speed and discipline, Pgcli with Role-Based Access Control is the upgrade you need. Configure your roles, connect through Pgcli, and hold your database to the highest standard.
You can see RBAC in action with Pgcli on hoop.dev. Deploy, configure, and test your permissions live in minutes.