Install the psql connection tool

The psql command line tool is widely used for interacting with a PostgreSQL or Timescale instance, and it is available for all operating systems. Most of the instructions in the Timescale documentation assume you are using psql.

Before you start, check that you don't already have psql installed. It is sometimes installed by default, depending on your operating system and other packages you have installed over time:

Install PostgreSQL package on macOS

The psql tool is installed by default on macOS systems when you install PostgreSQL, and this is the most effective way to install the tool. On macOS you can use Homebrew or MacPorts to install the PostgreSQL package or just the psql tool.

Install psql on macOS

If you do not want to install the entire PostgreSQL package, you can install the psql tool on its own. libpqxx is the official C++ client API for PostgreSQL.

Install psql on Debian and Ubuntu

You can use the apt package manager on Debian and Ubuntu systems to install the psql tool.

Installing psql using the apt package manager

Make sure your apt repository is up to date:
```
sudo apt-get update
```
Install the postgresql-client package:
```
sudo apt-get install postgresql-client
```

Install psql on Windows

The psql tool is installed by default on Windows systems when you install PostgreSQL, and this is the most effective way to install the tool. These instructions use the interactive installer provided by PostgreSQL and EnterpriseDB.

Installing psql on Windows

Download and run the PostgreSQL installer from www.enterprisedb.com.
In the Select Components dialog, check Command Line Tools, along with any other components you want to install, and click Next.
Complete the installation wizard to install the package.