> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://risingwavelabs-wyx-add-timestamp-dedicated-page.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install psql without PostgreSQL

> To use RisingWave, you need a PostgreSQL client, not the PostgreSQL server. The PostgreSQL [official installers and packages](https://www.postgresql.org/download/) come with all the components needed to run a PostgreSQL server, but some of these components are not needed for RisingWave.

[psql](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/app-psql.html), which is included in the PostgreSQL package, is a command-line interface for interacting with PostgreSQL databases. As RisingWave is wire-compatible with PostgreSQL, `psql` becomes an essential tool for you to connect to RisingWave, issue SQL queries, and manage database objects.

To install `psql` without the rest of the PostgreSQL package, you can use your operating system's package manager. Here are the steps to install psql on some common operating systems:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    1. Install [Homebrew](https://brew.sh) if you don't have it on your mac.
    2. Update package definitions (formulae).

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew update
    ```

    3. Install [libpq](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/libpq.html).

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew install libpq
    ```

    > Homebrew's package for the PostgreSQL client tools is `libpq`, which includes `psql`, `pg_dump`, and other client utilities.

    4. Link all binaries of `libpq` to `/usr/local/bin`.

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew link --force libpq
    ```

    > `libpq` does not install itself in the `/usr/local/bin` directory. Thus, you need to link them to the directory to use the installed binaries.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Debian/Ubuntu">
    1. Update apt's package list.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt update
    ```

    2. Install the client packages.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install postgresql-client
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Red Hat/CentOS">
    1. Install the repository RPM to point YUM at the PostgreSQL repository.

    Go to [Linux Downloads (Red Hat Family)](https://www.postgresql.org/download/linux/redhat/) and select your platform for the command and repository URL.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/risingwavelabs-wyx-add-timestamp-dedicated-page/5vQODE3orY0cH0d2/images/current/install-psql-without-postgresql/install_postgresql_redhat.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=5vQODE3orY0cH0d2&q=85&s=81851359fa5898d2e540059630eb7cec" width="2018" height="656" data-path="images/current/install-psql-without-postgresql/install_postgresql_redhat.png" />
    </Frame>

    2. Install the latest client packages.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo yum install postgresql
    ```

    > Strange as it may seem, `postgresql` is the right package we are looking for in YUM.
    > `postgresql` — PostgreSQL client programs including `psql`
    > `postgresql-server` — The complete set of programs required to set up a PostgreSQL server
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Fedora">
    Simply run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo dnf install postgresql.x86_64
    ```

    > `postgresql` represents the PostgreSQL client programs including `psql` in DNF.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    For Windows users, please use the [interactive installer by EDB](https://www.postgresql.org/download/windows/).

    This is the usual way of installing PostgreSQL on Windows. But to install the client only, select **Command Line Tools** and uncheck other options when selecting components during installation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>