pg_ctl
utility for initializing, starting, stopping, and controlling a PostgreSQL
TLDR
Start PostgreSQL
$ pg_ctl start -D [/var/lib/postgresql/data]
Stop PostgreSQL$ pg_ctl stop -D [/var/lib/postgresql/data]
Restart PostgreSQL$ pg_ctl restart -D [/var/lib/postgresql/data]
Reload configuration$ pg_ctl reload -D [/var/lib/postgresql/data]
Check status$ pg_ctl status -D [/var/lib/postgresql/data]
SYNOPSIS
pg_ctl action [-D datadir] [options]
DESCRIPTION
pg_ctl is a utility for initializing, starting, stopping, and controlling a PostgreSQL database server. It's the preferred method for managing PostgreSQL services.
PARAMETERS
start
Start the server.stop
Stop the server.restart
Stop then start.reload
Reload configuration.status
Check server status.-D directory
Data directory.-m mode
Shutdown mode (smart, fast, immediate).-l file
Log file.-w
Wait for completion.
Start with logging
pg_ctl start -D /data -l /var/log/postgresql.log
Fast shutdown
pg_ctl stop -D /data -m fast
Initialize new cluster
pg_ctl initdb -D /data
Promote standby
pg_ctl promote -D /data
$
# SHUTDOWN MODES
smart - Wait for clients to disconnectfast - Rollback active transactions (default)immediate - Abort immediately (may corrupt)# SHUTDOWN MODES
$
# CAVEATS
Must run as PostgreSQL user. Data directory required. Use systemctl on systemd systems.
# HISTORY
pg_ctl is part of **PostgreSQL**, the open source database originally from UC Berkeley's POSTGRES project.
# SEE ALSO
postgres(1), pg_dump(1), pg_restore(1), initdb(1)
# INSTALL
# CAVEATS
Must run as PostgreSQL user. Data directory required. Use systemctl on systemd systems.
# HISTORY
pg_ctl is part of **PostgreSQL**, the open source database originally from UC Berkeley's POSTGRES project.
# SEE ALSO
postgres(1), pg_dump(1), pg_restore(1), initdb(1)
# INSTALL
$ apk: sudo apk add postgresql17
$ zypper: sudo zypper install postgresql17