# How to Install Managed PostgreSQL and pgAdmin in xCloud

> Install one managed PostgreSQL service on an xCloud Nginx server, manage it with pgAdmin over HTTPS, and create Git sites that use PostgreSQL instead of MySQL.

xCloud can run **one managed PostgreSQL service per Nginx server**. Every PostgreSQL site on that server shares it, you manage databases and roles in a managed **pgAdmin**, and native Git sites (PHP App, Laravel and Node.js) can choose PostgreSQL instead of MySQL when you create them. This guide shows how to install PostgreSQL, enable pgAdmin and create a PostgreSQL site.

## Before you start

- **An Nginx server.** Managed PostgreSQL is only available on the Nginx stack. See [Available Server Stacks in xCloud](/docs/available-server-stacks-in-xcloud/).
- **Docker Engine 28 or newer** on the server. PostgreSQL and pgAdmin run as private containers. If Docker is older, the install fails with "Private data services require Docker Engine 28 or newer. Upgrade Docker before retrying."
- **No PostgreSQL one-click app on the server.** If the server already runs the catalog PostgreSQL app, the managed install is not offered.
- **Permission to manage the server's services.** Team members need server service access to install PostgreSQL or use pgAdmin.

You can also install PostgreSQL while creating a new server: on the server form, pick the Nginx stack and tick **Install PostgreSQL** under the database settings. The steps below cover an existing server.

## Step 1: Install PostgreSQL from Server Management

Open your server and go to **'Management' → 'Settings'**. Scroll to **Install a Service** (the **Install a Service** button at the top jumps there) and click **Install** on the **PostgreSQL** row ("Private PostgreSQL shared by sites on this server").

![Click 'Install' on the PostgreSQL row under 'Install a Service' in Management → Settings](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-1.png)

PostgreSQL moves to the **Server Utilities** list at the top of the page and shows **Queued**, then **Installing...**. The page refreshes the status on its own.

## Step 2: Wait for Ready, or retry a failed install

When the install finishes, the **PostgreSQL** row shows **Ready**.

![The PostgreSQL row shows 'Ready' in Server Utilities](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-3.png)

If the row shows **Failed**, read the message under the status. It names the cause, for example an outdated Docker Engine or another managed database operation still running. Fix the cause, then click **Retry** on the row.

![Click 'Retry' on a failed PostgreSQL row in Server Utilities](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-2.png)

## Step 3: Enable pgAdmin

Go to **'Management' → 'Database'**. Once PostgreSQL is ready, a **pgAdmin** card appears above phpMyAdmin. Click **Enable pgAdmin**.

![Click 'Enable pgAdmin' on the pgAdmin card in Management → Database](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-4.png)

The card shows **Provisioning...** while xCloud installs pgAdmin. If it fails, click **Retry** on the card.

## Step 4: Open pgAdmin and sign in

When pgAdmin is ready, the card shows **Open pgAdmin**, **Show credentials** and **Disable pgAdmin**.

![Click 'Open pgAdmin' on the pgAdmin card once it is ready](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-5.png)

1. Click **Show credentials** to see the pgAdmin **Email** and **Password**. pgAdmin has its own web login: the email is the one on the xCloud account that enabled pgAdmin, and the password is shown only to members who can manage the server.
2. Click **Open pgAdmin**. pgAdmin opens over HTTPS in a new tab.
3. Sign in with those credentials. You can now create databases and roles, run queries, and export data.

Click **Hide credentials** when you're done.

## Step 5: Create a site that uses PostgreSQL

With PostgreSQL ready, native Git sites on this server can use it. Start a new site with **Deploy via Git** (see [Deploy Git Projects in One Click](/docs/deploy-git-projects-in-one-click-with-xcloud/)), choose the repository, and pick **PHP App**, **Laravel** or **Node.js** as the **App Type**. Set **Database engine** to **PostgreSQL**.

![Set 'Database engine' to 'PostgreSQL' in the Deploy via Git site form](/_landing/docs/install-managed-postgresql-and-pgadmin-in-xcloud-image-6.png)

The form notes "A database and role will be created automatically. Manage them in pgAdmin." Click **Deploy**. xCloud creates a database and role for the site and writes the connection to the site's environment:

```bash
DB_CONNECTION=pgsql
DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
DB_PORT=<port>
DB_DATABASE=<site database>
DB_USERNAME=<site role>
DB_PASSWORD=<generated password>
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://<site role>:<generated password>@127.0.0.1:<port>/<site database>
```

The same choice is in the white-label site form. If **Database engine** does not appear, PostgreSQL is not **Ready** on the server yet, or the app type is not PHP App, Laravel or Node.js.

## Limits to know

| Area | What happens with PostgreSQL |
|---|---|
| Services per server | One managed PostgreSQL, shared by every PostgreSQL site on the server |
| Server stack | Nginx only, with Docker Engine 28 or newer |
| Site types | Native Git sites: PHP App, Laravel and Node.js |
| Backups | PostgreSQL databases are not in xCloud site backups yet. Export them from pgAdmin |
| Clone, migrate, staging, snapshots | Not supported for PostgreSQL sites yet |
| Deleting a site | The site's database and role are kept |
| Disabling pgAdmin | Nothing is deleted. Databases created in pgAdmin move to the `xcloud_pg_owner` role |

The site's **Backups** page shows a reminder that its PostgreSQL database isn't included in xCloud backups. For MySQL databases, see [Create a database for your site](/docs/create-a-database-for-your-site-web-application/).

## Disable pgAdmin

To remove pgAdmin, click **Disable pgAdmin** on the card in **'Management' → 'Database'** and confirm. xCloud removes pgAdmin and moves the databases you created there to `xcloud_pg_owner`. PostgreSQL and your sites keep running. If disabling fails, the card lists the affected databases and offers **Retry**.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which servers can run managed PostgreSQL?

Nginx servers with Docker Engine 28 or newer. Each server runs one managed PostgreSQL service that every PostgreSQL site on it shares. OpenLiteSpeed servers cannot install it, and a server that already runs the PostgreSQL one-click app cannot add the managed service.

### Are PostgreSQL databases included in xCloud site backups?

Not yet. xCloud site backups do not include PostgreSQL databases, so export them from pgAdmin before you rely on a backup. PostgreSQL sites also cannot be cloned, migrated, staged or snapshotted yet.

### What happens to my data when I disable pgAdmin?

Nothing is deleted. xCloud removes pgAdmin and moves the databases you created in pgAdmin to the xcloud_pg_owner role. PostgreSQL itself keeps running.

### Does deleting a PostgreSQL site delete its database?

No. xCloud keeps the site's PostgreSQL database and role when you delete the site, and tells you so. Remove them in pgAdmin if you no longer need them.

If you run into any issues with managed PostgreSQL or pgAdmin, feel free to reach out to our [support team](/docs/access-built-in-support-portal-in-xcloud/).