---
id: 'pgadmin'
title: 'Connecting with pgAdmin'
breadcrumb: 'GUI Quickstarts'
hideToc: true
---

## What is pgAdmin?

[`pgAdmin`](https://www.pgadmin.org/) is a GUI tool for managing Postgres databases. You can use it to connect to your database via SSL.

## Connecting pgAdmin with your Postgres database

<StepHikeCompact>

  <StepHikeCompact.Step step={1}>

    <StepHikeCompact.Details title="Register">

    Register a new Postgres server.

    </StepHikeCompact.Details>

    <StepHikeCompact.Code>

    <Image
      alt="Register a new postgres server."
      src={{
          dark: '/docs/img/guides/database/connecting-to-postgres/pgadmin/register-server-pgAdmin.png?v=2',
          light:
            '/docs/img/guides/database/connecting-to-postgres/pgadmin/register-server-pgAdmin--light.png',
        }}
      />

    </StepHikeCompact.Code>

  </StepHikeCompact.Step>

  <StepHikeCompact.Step step={2}>

    <StepHikeCompact.Details title="Name">

    Name your server.

    </StepHikeCompact.Details>

    <StepHikeCompact.Code>

     ![Name Postgres Server.](/docs/img/guides/database/connecting-to-postgres/pgadmin/name-pg-server.png)

    </StepHikeCompact.Code>

  </StepHikeCompact.Step>

  <StepHikeCompact.Step step={3}>

    <StepHikeCompact.Details title="Connect">

    Add the connection info. Go to your [`Database Settings`](https://supabase.com/dashboard/project/_/settings/database). Make sure `Use connection pooling` is enabled. Switch the connection mode to `Session` and copy your connection parameters. Fill in your Database password that you made when creating your project (It can be reset in Database Settings above if you don't have it).

    </StepHikeCompact.Details>

    <StepHikeCompact.Code>

     ![Add Connection Info.](/docs/img/guides/database/connecting-to-postgres/pgadmin/add-pg-server-conn-info.png)

    </StepHikeCompact.Code>

  </StepHikeCompact.Step>

  <StepHikeCompact.Step step={4}>

    <StepHikeCompact.Details title="SSL">

    Download your SSL certificate from Dashboard's [`Database Settings`](https://supabase.com/dashboard/project/_/settings/database).

    In pgAdmin, navigate to the Parameters tab and select connection parameter as Root Certificate. Next navigate to the Root certificate input, it will open up a file-picker modal. Select the certificate you downloaded earlier and save the server details. pgAdmin should now be able to connect to your Postgres via SSL.

    </StepHikeCompact.Details>

    <StepHikeCompact.Code>

     ![Add Connection Info.](/docs/img/guides/database/connecting-to-postgres/pgadmin/database-settings-host.png)

    </StepHikeCompact.Code>

  </StepHikeCompact.Step>

</StepHikeCompact>

## Why connect to pgAdmin

Connecting your Postgres instance to `pgAdmin` gives you a free, cross-platform GUI that makes tasks such as browsing objects, writing queries with autocomplete, running backups, and monitoring performance much faster and safer than using `psql` alone.

It acts as a single control panel where you can manage multiple servers, inspect locks and slow queries in real time, and perform maintenance operations with a click.

For scripted migrations or ultra-light remote work you’ll still lean on plain SQL or CLI tools, but most teams find `pgAdmin` invaluable for exploration and routine administration.