Add extensions

Extensions add features to PostgreSQL, such as vector similarity search with pgvector. Choose them when you create a database, and add more later from Edit. The database keeps running while you add any of the extensions on offer.

Before you begin

• A TIR project in Chennai, where DBaaS is offered.
• The DBaaS create permission to choose extensions on a new database, or the update permission to add them to an existing one. See TIR Access Control.
• A database in the Running state, if you are adding extensions to an existing one.

Extensions you can add

Extension	What it adds
pg_stat_statements	Statistics on how queries run
vector	pgvector, vector similarity search for embeddings
pg_trgm	Trigram matching for fuzzy text search
uuid-ossp	Functions that generate UUIDs
pgcrypto	Cryptographic functions
hstore	Key and value pairs in a single column
citext	A case-insensitive text type
btree_gin	GIN index support for common types
btree_gist	GiST index support for common types
ltree	A data type for hierarchical, tree-like data
unaccent	A text search dictionary that removes accents

pg_stat_statements is installed on every database, whatever you choose.

Choose extensions when you create a database

On the Create Database page, open Advanced Settings and use Extensions. pg_stat_statements and vector are already chosen. To add another, choose it in Select extensions; Search extensions finds one by name.

The extensions you choose are installed in defaultdb, the database that the connection details point to, when the database is created. For the rest of the create page, see Create a database.

Add extensions to an existing database

1. Choose Edit in the database’s row menu on the Manage Databases list, or in the three-dot menu on its details page. While the database is Running, Extensions under Configuration on the Overview tab also has an Edit link.
2. Open Advanced Settings. In Extensions, choose the ones you want to add. Those already on the database are marked “(installed)”.
3. Select Update Database.

TIR adds them while the database keeps running, and Activity Timeline records “Extensions added” with the names of the new extensions.

Edit Database only adds extensions, so an extension you add stays on the database.

Check which extensions are installed

While the database is Running, Extensions under Configuration on its Overview tab names the installed extensions. The list leaves out the built-in plpgsql.

If an extension fails to install, Edit Database names it and says that its install failed. For what to do, see An extension could not be installed.

To tune PostgreSQL settings as well, see Use parameter groups. To connect and start using an extension, see Connect to a database.