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Deploying a Postgres Database

Postgres (PostgreSQL) is a powerful, open-source object-relational database system known for its reliability, feature set, and extensibility. It supports advanced data types, ACID compliance, and is widely used for applications requiring robust data integrity and performance.

This guide explains how to deploy a Postgres database to Klutch.sh using a Dockerfile, including installation, sample configuration, and persistent volume setup.

Prerequisites

  • Docker installed (Download)
  • Git and GitHub account
  • Klutch.sh account

Getting Started: Sample Dockerfile

Create a Dockerfile in your project root:

FROM postgres:16-alpine


# Set environment variables (can be overridden in Klutch.sh UI)
ENV POSTGRES_DB=mydb
ENV POSTGRES_USER=myuser
ENV POSTGRES_PASSWORD=mypassword


# Expose default Postgres port
EXPOSE 5432


# Optional: Add custom initialization scripts
# COPY ./init.sql /docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/

Sample Usage

You can connect to your Postgres database from any app using the following connection string:

postgresql://myuser:mypassword@<APP_HOST>:5432/mydb

Replace <APP_HOST> with the internal Klutch.sh service hostname or external IP as needed.

Deploying with Persistent Volumes

To ensure your database data persists across deployments and restarts, attach a persistent volume in Klutch.sh:

  1. Push your code (with Dockerfile) to a GitHub repository.
  2. Log in to Klutch.sh.
  3. Create a new project.
  4. Create a new app:
    • Select your Postgres GitHub repository and branch
    • Choose the Dockerfile option when prompted
    • Set service details and environment variables as needed (POSTGRES_DB, POSTGRES_USER, POSTGRES_PASSWORD)
    • Attach a persistent volume:
      • In the “Volumes” section, add a new volume (e.g., pgdata)
      • Mount path: /var/lib/postgresql/data
    • Configure region, compute, and other settings as needed
  5. Click “Create” to deploy. Klutch.sh will build your Docker image, attach the volume, and start your Postgres database.

Resources

Deploying Postgres to Klutch.sh with a Dockerfile and persistent volumes ensures your data is safe and your database is production-ready.