How to connect to your PostgreSQL database remotely

Connect a local client to your TurboStack PostgreSQL database over an SSH tunnel.

Connect a database client on your own computer (for example pgAdmin, DBeaver or psql) to a PostgreSQL database on your host. The recommended, secure way is an SSH tunnel.

Why the database port is not open by default

For security, PostgreSQL listens on localhost only (postgresql_listen_addresses: "localhost"), so the database port is not reachable from the internet. Rather than exposing it, you forward it over your existing SSH access - the connection is encrypted and uses your SSH key.

  1. Open a tunnel from a local port (here 5433) to the database on the host: 
    ssh -L 5433:127.0.0.1:5432 prod@web1.example.com
    Leave this session open while you work.

  2. Point your client at the local end of the tunnel:

    Setting Value
    Host 127.0.0.1
    Port 5433
    User (role) your database role (from Credentials)
    Password the role's password
    Database your database name, for example prod_db

pgAdmin and DBeaver can also create the SSH tunnel for you - set the SSH host and key, then set the database host to 127.0.0.1.

Opening the port instead (advanced)

If a tool genuinely cannot tunnel, you can widen access - but this exposes the database, so prefer the tunnel.

  • Widen postgresql_listen_addresses and add host-based rules with postgresql_extra_access for the specific networks or hosts that need it (see Configure PostgreSQL).

  • Also allow the exact source IP addresses on the host's Security tab (Security).

  • Connect with a least-privilege role, never the application's main role.

Troubleshooting

  • Connection refused - the tunnel is not open, or the client is pointing at the host instead of 127.0.0.1.

  • Authentication failed - wrong role/password, or no matching host-based access rule (see Create and manage PostgreSQL users).

  • Times out when opening access directly - the source host is not allowed, or postgresql_listen_addresses is still local. See Database problems.

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