Speeding Up PostgreSQL Workflows with Pgcli and Zsh

Pgcli is a command-line tool for PostgreSQL. It adds auto-completion, syntax highlighting, and smart prompts. Combined with Zsh, it becomes sharper. Zsh’s advanced completion system, history search, and scripting flexibility amplify Pgcli’s strengths. Together they cut query time, reduce typos, and keep context visible even when jumping between databases.

Installing Pgcli is simple:

pip install pgcli

For Zsh, ensure you have it installed and set as your default shell. Most developers use Oh My Zsh for plugins and themes. Add Pgcli to your workflow by making sure PostgreSQL’s bin directory is in your PATH.

Next, integrate completion. Pgcli ships with Tab-completion out of the box. Zsh can enhance it with fuzzy search. Add this snippet to your .zshrc:

autoload -U compinit && compinit

Restart your shell. Now Tab pulls accurate suggestions from database schemas.

For maximum performance in Pgcli with Zsh, tweak settings:

• Enable smart_completion in ~/.config/pgcli/config
• Use Zsh’s HIST_IGNORE_DUPS to skip duplicate commands
• Set zstyle ':completion:*' matcher-list 'm:{a-z}={A-Za-z}' for case-insensitive matching

Pgcli supports multiple databases and sessions. Zsh makes switching instant with aliases or functions:

alias prod="pgcli -h prod-db -U admin prod_db"
alias staging="pgcli -h staging-db -U admin staging_db"

No more remembering long connection strings. One command and you’re in.

This combination is stable, fast, and predictable. Queries execute without friction. Schema browsing becomes lightweight. Long-form database changes feel less like work and more like interaction. Pgcli with Zsh is not just a gain in comfort—it’s a gain in control.

Want to see a live, production-ready version of this workflow without spending hours configuring? Check out hoop.dev and spin it up in minutes.