Question

Connect to app platform dev database via psql

Posted on September 12, 2023
Databases DigitalOcean App Platform PostgreSQL
Asked by Ben Hancock

I’ve created a web application using App Platform, and created a Postgres “dev” database (i.e. not a full, “managed” database) as a component with it. In order for my app to work, I need to load some data into the db, and had thought that I would do that using psql. However, I can’t seem to find where to add my computer’s IP to the database’s “trusted sources”.

I’ve read through the docs on how to connect to a managed database, as well as on how to connect to Postgres in particular, but that still hasn’t led me to a solution.

Is it possible to connect to a Postgres “dev” database in app platform from the outside world? Or do I have to either a. disable trusted sources, or b. upgrade to a full “managed” database?

Edit: Alternatively, c. is there another, preferred way of managing the dev database from within DO?

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Bobby Iliev

Site Moderator

• September 15, 2023

Hey Ben,

Happy to hear that you found a work around and thank you for sharing it here with the community.

An alternative approach that I use with dev databases is database migration files and seed files. That way when I initially setup my dev app the database migrations are executed and the seeders add the dev content.

Best,

Bobby

Ben Hancock • September 14, 2023

I wasn’t able to find a way to add trusted sources (aside from the app itself) to my dev database. However, my workaround was to temporarily disable trusted sources, connect via psql, load my data, and then re-enable trusted sources again.