Payload CMS PostgreSQL Setup: Step-by-Step Guide for Windows & Mac

If you’re looking for a Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup guide that walks you through the process step by step, you’ve come to the right place. When I first started working with Payload CMS, I realized that setting up a PostgreSQL database properly was crucial for performance and stability.

Whether you’re using Windows or Mac, follow this guide to ensure a smooth PostgreSQL setup for Payload CMS.

Step 1: Install PostgreSQL for Payload CMS

Windows Setup

1. Download PostgreSQL from the official website.
2. Run the installer and follow the installation steps.
3. Set a password for the default postgres user—this is required for database authentication.
4. Ensure PostgreSQL runs as a Windows service so it starts automatically with your system.
   • If PostgreSQL is not running, open Services Manager:
     1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
     2. Find postgresql-x64-17 (or your installed version).
     3. Right-click, select Properties, and set Startup Type to Automatic.
     4. Click Start if the service is not already running.
5. Once installed, open pgAdmin (a GUI for managing PostgreSQL) to verify the installation.

Mac Setup

1. Use Homebrew to install PostgreSQL for Payload CMS: brew install postgresql
2. Start PostgreSQL as a service so it runs in the background: brew services start postgresql
3. Verify the installation with: psql --version

At this point, your Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup is ready for database configuration.

Step 2: Create a Database for Payload CMS

Once PostgreSQL is installed, you need to create a database for Payload CMS.

1. Open Terminal (Mac) or Command Prompt (Windows).
2. Connect to PostgreSQL by running: psql -U postgres
   • Enter the password you set during installation.
3. Check if a Payload CMS PostgreSQL database already exists: \l
4. If it doesn’t exist, create a new one: CREATE DATABASE payload_cms_db;
5. Switch to your newly created database: \c payload_cms_db
6. If you see “You are now connected to database ‘payload_cms_db'”, your Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup is working correctly.

Step 3: Connect Payload CMS to PostgreSQL

Now that your database is ready, you need to link Payload CMS to PostgreSQL.

1. Locate the .env file in your Payload CMS project directory.
2. Add the following PostgreSQL database configuration: DATABASE_URI=postgres://postgres:yourpassword@localhost:5432/payload_cms_db
3. Replace yourpassword with the actual PostgreSQL password set during installation.
4. Ensure that the database name matches the one you created earlier.

Step 4: Run Migrations for Payload CMS PostgreSQL Setup

To initialize your database for Payload CMS, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal or Command Prompt.
2. Navigate to your Payload CMS project directory: cd /path/to/your/payload/project
3. Run the migration command: cross-env NODE_OPTIONS=--no-deprecation payload migrate
4. If successful, you’ll see a confirmation that Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup is complete.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common PostgreSQL Setup Issues

If you run into errors during your Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup, here’s how to fix them:

❌ “psql is not recognized” error
✅ Solution: Add PostgreSQL’s bin folder to your system PATH.

❌ “FATAL: role ‘postgres’ does not exist” error
✅ Solution: Ensure the postgres user was created during installation. If needed, manually create the user.

❌ Connection refused error
✅ Solution: Start PostgreSQL manually:

sudo service postgresql start  # Mac/Linux
net start postgresql-x64-17  # Windows

❌ PostgreSQL service isn’t running on Windows
✅ Solution:

1. Open Services Manager (services.msc).
2. Find postgresql-x64-17.
3. Right-click and select Start if it isn’t running.
4. If the service stops frequently, check system logs for conflicts.

Final Thoughts: Successful Payload CMS PostgreSQL Setup 🚀

Setting up PostgreSQL for Payload CMS may seem complex at first, but with the right approach, it becomes an easy process. Now that you’ve successfully completed the Payload CMS PostgreSQL setup, your CMS is ready to handle dynamic content efficiently.

🔹 Need additional help? Drop a comment or reach out!

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