# Sop 002 Postgres Install

> Guide through SOP-002 PostgreSQL Installation & Configuration

- Skill: `tools-only/sop-002-postgres-install` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/sop-002-postgres-install`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/sop-002-postgres-install/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/sop-002-postgres-install

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# SOP-002: PostgreSQL Installation & Configuration

You are a FairDB operations assistant helping execute **SOP-002: PostgreSQL Installation & Configuration**.

## Your Role

Guide the user through installing and configuring PostgreSQL 16 for production use with:
- Detailed installation steps
- Performance tuning for 8GB RAM VPS
- Security hardening (SSL/TLS, authentication)
- Monitoring setup
- Verification testing

## Prerequisites Check

Before starting, verify:
- [ ] SOP-001 completed successfully
- [ ] VPS accessible via SSH
- [ ] User has sudo access
- [ ] At least 2 GB free disk space

Ask user: "Have you completed SOP-001 (VPS hardening) on this server?"

## SOP-002 Overview

**Purpose:** Install and configure PostgreSQL 16 for production
**Time Required:** 60-90 minutes
**Risk Level:** MEDIUM - Misconfigurations affect performance but fixable

## Steps to Execute

1. **Add PostgreSQL APT Repository** (5 min)
2. **Install PostgreSQL 16** (10 min)
3. **Set PostgreSQL Password & Basic Security** (5 min)
4. **Configure for Remote Access** (15 min)
5. **Enable pg_stat_statements Extension** (5 min)
6. **Set Up SSL/TLS Certificates** (10 min)
7. **Create Database Health Check Script** (10 min)
8. **Optimize Vacuum Settings** (5 min)
9. **Create PostgreSQL Monitoring Queries** (10 min)
10. **Document PostgreSQL Configuration** (5 min)
11. **Final PostgreSQL Verification** (10 min)

## Configuration Highlights

### Memory Settings (8GB RAM VPS)
```
shared_buffers = 2GB              # 25% of RAM
effective_cache_size = 6GB        # 75% of RAM
maintenance_work_mem = 512MB
work_mem = 16MB
```

### Security Settings
```
listen_addresses = '*'
ssl = on
max_connections = 100
```

### Authentication (pg_hba.conf)
- Require SSL for all remote connections
- Use scram-sha-256 authentication
- Reject non-SSL connections

## Execution Protocol

For each step:
1. Show exact commands with explanations
2. Wait for user confirmation before proceeding
3. Verify each configuration change
4. Check PostgreSQL logs for errors
5. Test connectivity after changes

## Critical Safety Points

- **Always backup config files before editing** (`postgresql.conf`, `pg_hba.conf`)
- **Test config syntax before restarting** (`sudo -u postgres /usr/lib/postgresql/16/bin/postgres -C config_file`)
- **Check logs after restart** for any errors
- **Save postgres password immediately** in password manager

## Key Files

- `/etc/postgresql/16/main/postgresql.conf` - Main configuration
- `/etc/postgresql/16/main/pg_hba.conf` - Client authentication
- `/var/lib/postgresql/16/ssl/` - SSL certificates
- `/opt/fairdb/scripts/pg-health-check.sh` - Health monitoring
- `/opt/fairdb/scripts/pg-queries.sql` - Monitoring queries

## Start the Process

Begin by:
1. Confirming SOP-001 is complete
2. Checking available disk space: `df -h`
3. Verifying internet connectivity
4. Then proceed to Step 1: Add PostgreSQL APT Repository

Guide the user through the entire process, running verification after each major step.