How to Use PostgreSQL MCP Server with Cursor or Claude

If you love working with PostgreSQL and wish your AI assistant could help manage your database, you’re in for something great. The PostgreSQL MCP Server connects your database to AI tools like Cursor and Claude, enabling smarter database analysis, debugging, and even migrations — all powered by AI.

Let’s walk through what it is, why it’s useful, and how to set it up.

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What Is the PostgreSQL MCP Server?

Think of the PostgreSQL MCP Server as a bridge between your PostgreSQL database and AI-powered developer tools. It uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to let tools like Claude Desktop and VS Code with AI agents interact directly with your database.

It’s more than just running SQL queries — this server allows AI agents to:

• Analyze your database’s performance
• Suggest schema improvements
• Handle data migration
• And more

This open-source project (under the AGPLv3 license) is perfect for developers who want to supercharge PostgreSQL with AI assistance.

Why Developers Love PostgreSQL MCP Server

Here’s what makes this tool special:

• AI-Powered Assistance: Let your AI assistant read, analyze, and improve your database setup in real-time.
• Full Toolkit: From debugging to managing schemas, it’s your all-in-one database companion.
• Open Source & Customizable: Tweak it to fit your needs or contribute back to the community.
• Built-In Security: SSL support and SQL validation help keep your data safe.

How to Set It Up (Step-by-Step)

Alright, time to get our hands dirty! The PostgreSQL MCP Server setup is straightforward if you’ve got the basics down. Here’s how to install it, straight from the GitHub docs, with a conversational twist.

✅ Step 1: Requirements

Make sure you have the following:

• Node.js v18.0.0 or higher → Install Node.js
• PostgreSQL (local or remote) → Install PostgreSQL
• Network access to your PostgreSQL instance

🔁 Step 2: Clone the Repository

In your terminal:

git clone https://github.com/modelcontext/postgresql-mcp-server.git
cd postgresql-mcp-server

📦 Step 3: Install Dependencies

Run:

npm install

This installs everything needed, like TypeScript and other libraries.

🔧 Step 4: Build the Project

Compile the TypeScript code:

npm run build

This generates the production-ready code in the build/ folder.

⚙️ Step 5: Connect It to Cursor or Claude

Tell your AI tool where to find the MCP Server.

Open your MCP config file, such as:

• ~/.cursor/mcp.json (for Cursor)
• claude_desktop_config.json (for Claude Desktop)

Add:

{
  "servers": [
    {
      "id": "postgresql",
      "name": "PostgreSQL MCP Server",
      "command": "/path/to/postgresql-mcp-server"
    }
  ]
}

Replace /path/to/postgresql-mcp-server with the actual path to your cloned repo (e.g., /home/user/postgresql-mcp-server on Linux).

This tells your AI tool, “Hey, here’s a server to chat with my database!”

▶️ Step 6: Start the Server

Back in your terminal:

npm run dev

You’re now running the server with hot reload enabled — ready for real-time tweaks.

What Can You Do With It?

Once it’s live, here are a few things you can try:

🔍 Analyze Database Health

Use analyze_database to get metrics like:

• Slow queries
• Index usage
• Cache performance

You’ll also receive suggestions on how to improve it.

🚀 Quick Setup Help

New to PostgreSQL? Run get_setup_instructions to get a personalized install guide based on your OS.

🐢 Fix a Slow Database

Use debug_database to identify bottlenecks—such as locking issues or missing indexes—and get AI-suggested fixes.

🧱 Manage Tables and Schemas

Want to create a new table? Use:

create_table

Or update an existing one with alter_table.

🔁 Migrate or Export Data

Back up or move your data with:

export_table_data

Later, use import_table_data to restore it.

Keep It Secure: Best Practices

• Use SSL in your connection string:
  postgresql://user:password@host:5432/dbname?sslmode=require
• Avoid hardcoded credentials — use environment variables.
• Validate inputs to prevent malicious SQL.

Why It Stands Out in 2025

In a sea of tools, PostgreSQL MCP Server shines by combining AI with PostgreSQL. It’s not just another client like pgAdmin — it’s designed for automation, intelligent assistance, and seamless integration with tools like Claude and Cursor.

If you’re managing databases in 2025, this is how you future-proof your workflow.

Ready to Try It?

You’ve now got everything you need to get started with the PostgreSQL MCP Server. Whether you’re analyzing a complex production database or just getting started with Postgres, this tool brings the power of AI right into your development environment.